Let me tell you all a story 'bout a girl named Lonesome Joan

When she was three she thought she'd try to tie her shoe

Her Momma said, "I'll show you how!"

She pushed her Mom aside

"I'll do it alone," said Lonesome Joan

And her laces stayed untied



Oh, Lonesome Joan, Lonesome Joan

Felt she had to do everything alone

She said, "I don't need no help, I can do it by myself"

Oh, Lonesome, Lonesome Joan



Well, she got a little older -- thought she'd learn to read and write

Her teacher tried to help her

Joan yelled, "Get out of my sight!"

So she never learned to write her name or even read a book

And all alone she never learned to swim or skate or count or cook



Oh, Lonesome Joan, Lonesome Joan

Felt she had to do everything alone

She said, "I don't need no help, I can do it by myself"

Oh, Lonesome, Lonesome Joan



Well, time went by and Joan grew old as people sometimes will

When Joan was 81 years old, she met a girl named Lil

Lil said, "Joan, it's just ridiculous the things that you can't do!

Joan, you're an 80 year old woman -- Time you learn to tie your shoe!"



Oh, Lonesome, Lonesome Joan

You don't have to do everything alone

You can use a little help

Don't have to do it by yourself

Oh, Lonesome, Lonesome Joan



So Lil taught Joan to read and write and tie her shoe and more

And Joan lived to the happy age of a hundred and forty four

So be sure you learned a lesson

From that old girl, Lonesome Joan

When you're trying for the first time,

You don't have to try alone



Oh, Lonesome Joan, Lonesome Joan

You don't have to do everything alone

You can use a little help

Don't have to do it by yourself

Oh, Lonesome, Lonesome Joan

Oh, Lonesome, Lonesome Joan



Yippie tie yie, pardners!