Buck Eyed Rabbit
Rabbit Skips And The Rabbit Hops
Buck Eyed Rabbit is a catchy 2 part tune played in the key of G. Buck-eyed is slang for having eyes considered out of the ordinary, cross-eyed, squinting, protruding, speckled, etc. It is one of several Old Time tunes with rabbit's eyes in the title, such as “Big Eyed Rabbit,” and "Brown Eyed Rabbit.”
According to the liner notes on Mike Bryant and Paul Brown’s self titled album, “Buck Eyed Rabbit” is “An old minstrel-era song recorded by Al Hopkins & His Buckle Busters in 1926. Mike was inspired to learn it years ago after hearing Paul Brown fiddling it.” The lyrics are appropriately minstrel-like.
Al Hopkins & His Buckle Busters recorded “Buck Eyed Rabbits” on October 22, 1926 in New York, NY. for the Brunswick label. The B side of the record was “Bristol Tennessee Blues.” East Tennessee fiddler Charlie Bowman played banjo on this recording, and the fiddler was Tony Alderman. Alderman was the original fiddler for Al Hopkins when the band was known as the "Hill Billies." “Bristol Tennessee Blues” is provided in the mp3 player below.
Buck eyed rabbit behind that pine
Buck eyed rabbit, you are mine
Rabbit skips and the rabbit hops
Rabbit ate my turnip tops
Cocked my gun and the hammer flew
Tore that rabbit square in two
Yes, O lord, I’m a gettin’ there now
Yes, O lord, I’m a gettin’ there now
Way down yonder on Cedar Creek
All them gals grow eleven feet
Jump into bed but it ain’t no use
Feet stick out like a chicken roost
Yes, O lord, I’m a gettin’ there now
Yes, O lord, I’m a gettin’ there now
Buck Eyed Rabbits
Al Hopkins & His Buckle Busters
1926
Buck Eyed Rabbit
Mike Bryant & Paul Brown
Buck Eyed Rabbits
Paul Brown