I was born on a farm out in Iowa



A flaming youth I was bound I would fly away



I packed my grip and I grabbed my saxophone



Can't read notes, but I play anything by ear



I made up tunes on the sounds that I used to hear



When I'd start to play folks to say



"Sounds a little Goofus to me"







(*) Cornfed chords appeal to me



I like rustic harmony



Hold a note and change the key



Hey but that's "Goofus"







Not according to the rules



That you learn in music schools



But the folks just dance like fools



They sure go for " Goofus"







Got a job but I just couldn't keep it long



The leader said that I played all the music wrong



So I stepped out with an outfit of my own







(**) Got together a new kind of orchestra



And we all played just the same "Goofus" harmony



And I must admit we made a hit



"Goofus" has been lucky for me







Repeat (*)



Repeat (**)