Monday, January 19, 2009

Possum in the Hen House

Once upon a time, I was a journalist. The best thing about making the transition from journalist to songwriter is that I can tell the truth the way it should be.

Possum in the Hen House got its start one hot summer night, when we awoke to the sounds of our beloved chickens hurling themselves against the fence and a chorus of frantic chicken voices begging "LET US OUT!!"

The video stars our three chickens: Chirp, Harley and Killer. These ladies are retired from the egg-laying business but still provide us with much entertainment. And occasional inspiration.

Possum in the Hen House
words and music © Erin Coombs Friedman



Night full-a pickin -- belly full-a beans
Full moon shining through the trees
Settle in to catch some zzz’s
But papa won’t sleep tonight

Possum in the Hen House
Midnight chicken fight
Possum in the Hen House
Papa won’t sleep tonight

Our chickens are no docile brood
They’ll fuss and fight and they’ll abuse
Any critter dare disturb their roost
Like the Possum in the Hen House

They’re the bad birds of the neighborhood
Meanest chicks in Cottonwood
Twas a fowl deed and they done it good
To the Possum in the Hen House

Possum in the Hen House
Midnight chicken fight
Possum in the Hen House
Papa won’t sleep tonight

Feathers flew – the battle raged
A friendly late night search for eggs
Ended at the pearly gates
For The Possum in the Hen House

Their cruelty rivaled KFC’s
That fascist flock of feathered fiends
Made marsupial mincemeat
Of the Possum in the Hen House

Possum in the Hen House
Midnight chicken fight
Possum in the Hen House
Papa won’t sleep tonight

3 comments:

Unknown said...

HAHAHAHA! I can sooo relate! LOL! Thanks for the great "Reporting" job!
Now, if I could just figure out how to put that on my mp3?

Anonymous said...

You ARE a journalist. You write your observations, you report your discoveries and you keep us coming back for more. Thank you for sharing. xod

Erin said...

Somehow I think my journalism professor expected more from me. But, thanks, Doni - for reading and commenting.