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

I'd start to play, folks used to say

"Sounds a little Goofus to me"



(*) Cornfed chords appeal to me

I like rustic harmony

Hold a note and change the key

That's called Goofus



Not according to the rules

That you learn in music schools

But the folks just dance like fools

They love " 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 (**)