Camptown Races | Douglas Jimerson Lyrics, Meaning & Videos

Posted by Reinaldo Massengill on Tuesday, May 7, 2024

Camptown Races
Douglas Jimerson Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴Well, I came down there with my hat caved in
Oh I'll go back home with my pocket full of tin oh doo-dah day
Goin' to run all night, goin' to run all day
I'll bet my money on the bobtail nag, somebody bet on the bay.

Well, the Camptown ladies sing this song doodah doodah
Ah the Camptown race track's five miles long oh doo-dah day
Goin' to run all night, goin' to run all day

I'll bet my money on the bobtail nag, somebody bet on the bay. Overall Meaning

The song Camptown Races, as sung by Douglas Jimerson, is a classic tune that presents a vivid picture of a horse racing event. The first verse of the song tells us about the singer's journey to the horse racing event with a humble demeanor, and how he intends to leave with a pocket full of money. The second verse describes the atmosphere of the event by telling us about the Camptown ladies singing a song about the race track. The upbeat tune emphasizes the excitement of the event and the enthusiasm of the spectators to see the various horses compete against each other.


The refrain, "Goin' to run all night, goin' to run all day, I'll bet my money on the bobtail nag, somebody bet on the bay," is repeated throughout the song, reminding the listener that horse racing was a popular form of gambling in the nineteenth century. The term "bobtail nag" refers to a horse with a docked tail, while "somebody bet on the bay" indicates the money being wagered on a rival horse.


Overall, Camptown Races is a lively song that offers an idealized version of horse racing, portraying it as a fun and exciting pastime for everyone involved. The song has endured over time, cementing its place in American popular culture as an upbeat tune that captures the essence of a horse racing event.


Line by Line Meaning

Well, I came down there with my hat caved in
I arrived at Camptown unprepared and without much money.


Oh I'll go back home with my pocket full of tin oh doo-dah day
I plan to leave Camptown with a good amount of money.


Goin' to run all night, goin' to run all day
The horses will be racing all day and all night.


I'll bet my money on the bobtail nag, somebody bet on the bay.
I plan to bet on the horse with the short tail, but someone else is betting on the brown horse.


Well, the Camptown ladies sing this song doodah doodah
The women in Camptown are singing a familiar tune called 'Camptown Races.'


Ah the Camptown race track's five miles long oh doo-dah day
The racetrack in Camptown is very long, about five miles.


Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Walt Disney Music Company
Written by: DAVID HOLDEN, STEPHEN COLLINS FOSTER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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