Ballad of Jed Clampett

Interesting Stuff

Original Lyrics

TV Theme Music

"The Beverly Hillbillies" was a CBS situation comedy starring Buddy Ebsen. It ran nine seasons in prime time from September 26, 1962 to September 7, 1971,

The theme song "The Ballad of Jed Clampett" was written by Paul Henning and played by the bluegrass duo of Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs. The vocals however were preformed by Jerry Scoggins because Lester Flatt couldn't be available to do the "sponsor of the week" bits for each episode, but Jerry, living in LA, could.

Henning used the song to get around having to constantly explain how the family became wealthy and came to live in Beverly Hills. This device was also later used for the theme to "Gilligan's Island".

The Music
The Ballad of Jed Clampett
[ 0:44 ] [ 13k ]

The Songs
The songs in this book which are sung to the tune of
"The Ballad of Jed Clampett"

The Ballad of Jed Clampett

Come 'n listen to my story 'bout a man named Jed
Poor Mountaineer barely kept his family fed
An' then one day, he was shootin' at some food,
An' up thru the ground came a bubblin' crude.

Oil that is! Black gold! Texas tea!

Well, the first thing ya know, Jed's a millionaire
Kin-folk said, "Jed, move away from there." Said
Californy is the place y'oughta be, so they
loaded up the truck, and they moved to Beverly.

Hills that is! Swimmin' pools, Movie stars!

Ol' Jed bought a mansion. Lawdy it was swank
Next door neighbor was pres'dent of the bank,
Lotsa folks objected, but the banker found no fault,
'Cause ol' Jed's millions was a-layin' in the vault

Cash, that is! Capital gains, Depletion money!

Well now it's time to say goodbye to Jed and all his kin
An' they would like to thank you folks fer kindly droppin' in.
You're all invited back again to this locality,
T'have a heapin' helpin' of their hospitality.
Hillbilly, that is! Set a spell, Take your shoes off!
Y'all come back, here!