March 29, 2026

Cripple Creek

I'm learning this as a first song thanks to the banjo lessons by Jim Panky on Youtube. It just makes sense to be able to hum and sing the song before trying to play it on the banjo. There are many ways to play it.

See page 21 and 72 in my Griffin book.

I find a variety of lyrics. I like these:

Cripple Creek’s wide and Cripple Creek’s deep
I’ll wade old Cripple Creek before I sleep
Roll my breeches to my knees
I’ll wade ol’ Cripple Creek when I please

   Goin’ up Cripple Creek goin’ in a run
   Goin’ up Cripple Creek to have some fun.
A more complete set is:
I got a girl and she loves me
She’s as sweet as sweet can be
She’s got eyes of baby blue
Makes my gun shoot straight and true.

   Goin’ up Cripple Creek goin’ in a run
   Goin’ up Cripple Creek to have some fun.

Cripple Creek’s wide and Cripple Creek’s deep
I’ll wade old Cripple Creek before I sleep
Roll my breeches to my knees
I’ll wade ol’ Cripple Creek when I please

I went down to Cripple Creek
To see what them girls had to eat
I got drunk and fell against the wall
Old corn likker was the cause of it all
Here are some others:
Goin’ up to Cripple Creek; Goin’ on a run
Goin’ up to Cripple Creek to have a little fun

Goin’ up to Cripple Creek; Goin’ on a whirl
Goin’ up to Cripple Creek to see my girl

I got a gal at the head of the creek
Goin up to see her bout the middle of the week
Kiss her on the mouth just as sweet as any wine
Wraps herself around me like a sweet potato vine

I’ll eat when Im hungry, drink when Im dry
Get to feelin’ much better Ill sprout wings and fly
If the river was whiskey and I was a duck
I’d dive to the bottom and never come up