Mrs O'Dell copyright 2010 by Rick Reiley

'Mrs. O'Dell'

copyright 2010 by Rick Reiley

Mrs. O'Dell had 18 kids

Gave birth to every one

Raised 'em up and bathed them

Dried them in the sun

Her mister worked the railroad

Came home once in a while

To orchestrate their army

And create another child

(refrain)

Mrs. O'Dell

Mrs. O'Dell

Mrs. O'Dell, we knew you well!

Laundry was a daily thing

Cooking never ended

The garden was their lifeblood

Worn out clothes were mended

Children helped each other

They helped mama too

They'd cut the chickens heads off

And boil them in a stew

(refrain)

Mrs. O'Dell

Mrs. O'Dell

Mrs. O'Dell, we knew you well!

They'd hoe and till the garden

Bring in water from the well

Hang the clothes out on the line

Like a real O'Dell!

They all grew up and left home

They each had stories to tell

That frightened all their children

Those were real O'Dells!

(refrain)