“Camptown races” is a minstrel song written by Stephen Collins Foster in mid-19th century. It has long been a favorite among American folk songs.
It is not clear whether the inspiration for the song comes from Camptown in Pensylvania and a racetrack in or near the city, or the “camp towns” a temporary workingmen’s accomodation familiar in many parts of the United States, during the rapidly expanding railroad network. The lyrics talk about a group of transients in a camp town who bet on horses to try to make some money.
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Lyrics
1. Camptown ladies sing this song,
doo-dah, doo-dah.
Camptown racetrack five miles long,
oh da-doo-dah-day.
I come down there with my hat caved in,
doo-dah, doo-dah.
I go back home with a pocket full of tin,
oh da-doo-dah-day.
Going to run all night, going to run all day.
I’ll bet my money on the bobtail nag,
Somebody bet on the gray.
2. The long-tail filly and the big black horse,
doo-dah, doo-dah.
They fly the track and they both cut across,
oh da-doo-dah-day.
The blind horse sticking in a big mud hole,
doo-dah, doo-dah.
Can’t touch the bottom with a ten-foot pole,
oh da-doo-dah-day.
Going to run all night, going to run all day.
I’ll bet my money on the bobtail nag,
Somebody bet on the gray.
3. Old muley cow come on to the track
doo-dah, doo-dah.
The bob-tail fling her over his back
oh da-doo-dah-day.
Then fly along like a rail-road car
doo-dah, doo-dah.
Runnin’ a race with a shootin’ star
oh da-doo-dah-day.
Going to run all night, going to run all day.
I’ll bet my money on the bobtail nag,
Somebody bet on the gray.
4. See them flying on a ten-mile heat,
doo-dah, doo-dah.
Round the racetrack, then repeat,
oh da-doo-dah-day.
I win my money on the bobtail nag,
doo-dah, doo-dah.
I keep my money in an old tow bag,
oh da-doo-dah-day.
Going to run all night, going to run all day.
I’ll bet my money on the bobtail nag,
Somebody bet on the gray,
Somebody bet on the gray,
Somebody bet on the gray.
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