Blue Tail Fly (Jimmy Crack Corn) dates to 1844 and is an American traditional song with roots in 19th-century minstrel and folk traditions. The song circulated widely in the United States and later became part of both folk revival and children’s song repertoires, with notable recordings by artists such as Burl Ives and Lead Belly. Details: – Song: Blue Tail Fly (Jimmy Crack Corn) – American traditional – First published: 1844, United States – Solo acoustic folk performance by Jason Paul
Jason Paul · The song collection1844
Blue Tail Fly (Jimmy Crack Corn)
The performance
3 recordingsPerformance 1
Blue Tail Fly (Jimmy Crack Corn) [1844] – American Traditional | Jason Paul, solo acoustic folk
January 26, 2026
Lyrics and chords
When EI was young I Aused to wait
at Emaster's side and B7hand F#m7his plate
B7and Epass the bottle when Ahe got dry
and B7brush away the Eblue tail fly
Chorus
Jimmy crack corn and B7I don't care
Jimmy crack corn and EI don't care
Jimmy crack corn and AI don't care
'Ol B7master's gone aEway
Then Eafter dinner Ahe would sleep
a Evigil I would B7have F#m7to keep
B7and Ewhen he wanted to Ashut his eye
he B7told me "watch the Eblue-tail fly"
Chorus
One Eday he road aAround the farm
the Eflies so numrous B7they F#m7did swarm
B7one Echanced a bitin him Aon the thy
the B7devil take the Eblue-tail fly
Chorus
The Epony run he Ajump and pitch
and Etossed the master B7in F#m7the ditch
B7he Edied the jury they Awondered why
the B7verdict was the Eblue-tail fly
Chorus
They Elaid him neath a A'simmon tree
his Eepitaph is B7there F#m7to see
B7"beEneath this stone I'm Aforced to lie
a B7victim of the Eblue-tail fly"
Chorus
Ol Emaster's gone now Alet him rest
They Esay that things are B7for F#m7the best
B7I Ecan't forget till the Aday I die
Ol B7master and the Eblue-tail fly