Intro: | | verse 1 T for Texas, T for Tennesee T for Texas, T for Tennessee T for little Thelma she's made a fool of me verse 2 She's got eyes like diamonds and her teeth shine just the same She's got eyes like diamonds and her teeth shine just the same Shes got sweet ruby lips and hair like a horse's mane O-de-lay-oh-lay-ee-ay-lay-ee (spoken: what about it Merle) Instrumental | | | | | | | | verse 3 I'm gonna buy me a pistol, with a big long shiny barrel Buy me a pistol, with a big long shiny barrel I'm gonna run off that rounder that's trying to steal my girl. O-de-lay-oh-lay-ee-ay-lay-ee verse 4 I'd rather drink muddy water sleep in a hollow log, a hollow log Rather drink muddy water sleep in a hollow log Than to tell you sweet Thelma that you treat me like a dirty dog. O-de-lay-oh-lay-ee-ay-lay-ee Instrumental | | | | | | | | Verse 5 An' if you didn't want me mama, you didn't have to stall If you didn't want me sugar baby you didn't have to stall 'Cause I can get me more women, than a passenger train can haul. O-de-lay-oh-lay-ee-ay-lay-ee Verse 6 If the house catch on fire and there ain't no water around If the house catches fire and there ain't no water 'round Throw this old guitar right out of the yard and let it burn right to the ground O-de-lay-oh-lay-ee-ay-lay-ee