Jeff In Petticoats
As performed by John Aler and the Harmoneion Singers
Songs of the Civil War
Irwinville, Georgia
In the pre-dawn hours of May 10, 1865, Federal cavalrymen surprised a small group of Confederates including President Jefferson Davis camped overnight near Irwinville, Georgia. During the ensuing confusion, as Davis attempted to slip away before being recognized, his wife hurriedly threw her shawl over his shoulders to protect him against the morning chill. But Davis was stopped and arrested, and soon a story quickly spread that he had been disguised wearing women’s clothing. Not to be deterred by facts, Henry Tucker (lyrics) and George Cooper (music) wrote “Jeff in Petticoats” making light of this falsehood at Davis’s expense. It was a hugely popular post-war song among Northern audiences.
Jeff Davis was a hero bold, You've heard of him, I know
He tried to make himself a king where southern breezes blow.
But "Uncle Sam" he laid the youth across his mighty knee
And spanked him well and that's the end of brave old Jeffy D.
Oh! Jeffy D.!
You "flow'r of chivalree,"
Oh royal Jeffy D.!
Your empire's but a tin-clad skirt
Oh charming Jeffy D.
This Davis he was always full of bluster and of brag,
He swore, on all our Northern walls he'd plant his Rebel flag.
But when to battle he did go he said, "I'm not so green,
To dodge the bullets I will wear my tin-clad crinoline."
Oh! Jeffy D.!
You "flow'r of chivalree,"
Oh royal Jeffy D.!
Your empire's but a tin-clad skirt
Oh charming Jeffy D.
Now when he saw the game was up he started for the woods,
His bandbox hung upon his arm quite full of fancy goods.
Said Jeff, "They'll never take me now, I'm sure I'll not be seen
They'd never think to look for me beneath my crinoline."
Oh! Jeffy D.!
You "flow'r of chivalree,"
Oh royal Jeffy D.!
Your empire's but a tin-clad skirt
Oh charming Jeffy D.
Jeff took with him, the people say, a mine of golden coin
Which he, from banks and other places managed to purloin.
But while he ran, like every thief, he had to drop the spoons,
And maybe that's the reason why he dropped his pantaloons.
Oh! Jeffy D.!
You "flow'r of chivalree,"
Oh royal Jeffy D.!
Your empire's but a tin-clad skirt
Oh charming Jeffy D.
Our union boys were on his track for many nights and days,
His palpitating heart it beat Enough to burst his stays.
Oh! What a dash he must have cut with form so tall and lean
Just fancy now the "What is it? Dressed up in crinoline!"
Oh! Jeffy D.!
You "flow'r of chivalree,"
Oh royal Jeffy D.!
Your empire's but a tin-clad skirt
Oh charming Jeffy D.
The ditch that Jeff was hunting for he found was very near,
He tried to "shift" his base again, his neck felt rather queer.
Just on the out-"skirts" of a wood his dainty shape was seen,
His boots stuck out, and now they'll hang Old Jeff in crinoline.
Oh! Jeffy D.!
You "flow'r of chivalree,"
Oh royal Jeffy D.!
Your empire's but a tin-clad skirt
Oh charming Jeffy D.
"Jeff in Petticoats" from Songs of the Civil War. New World Records #80202-2 ℗ 1976 © 1976
Anthology of Recorded Music, Inc. Used by permission.
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