Page type: lyric reference
Artist: Andrew Bird
Canonical path: /andrew-bird/how-you-gonna-keep-em-down-on-the-farm
Related lyric paths: 6
Video embedded: yes
Lyric guide
How YOu Gonna Keep 'Em Down On The Farm
Read How YOu Gonna Keep 'Em Down On The Farm lyrics by Andrew Bird on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
person
Curated by Ethan Walker
LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot
The page facts to cite before the commentary
Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.
Lyrics
How YOu Gonna Keep 'Em Down On The Farm
The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.
Reuben, Reuben, I've been thinking
Said his wifey dear
Now that all is peaceful and calm
The boys will soon be back on the farm
Mister Reuben started winking and slowly rubbed his chin
He pulled his chair up close to mother
And he asked her with a grin
Chorus (sung twice after each verse):
How ya gonna keep 'em down on the farm
After they've seen Paree'
How ya gonna keep 'em away from Broadway
Jazzin around and paintin' the town
How ya gonna keep 'em away from harm, that's a mystery
They'll never want to see a rake or plow
And who the deuce can parleyvous a cow?
How ya gonna keep 'em down on the farm
After they've seen Paree'
Rueben, Rueben, you're mistaken
Said his wifey dear
Once a farmer, always a jay
And farmers always stick to the hay
Mother Reuben, I'm not fakin
Tho you may think it strange
But wine and women play the mischief
With a boy who's loose with change
Chorus (sung twice after each verse):
How ya gonna keep 'em down on the farm
After they've seen Paree'
How ya gonna keep 'em away from Broadway
Jazzin around and paintin' the town
How ya gonna keep 'em away from harm, that's a mystery
Imagine Reuben when he meets his Pa
He'll pinch his cheek and holler "OO-LA-LA!
How ya gonna keep 'em down on the farm
After they've seen Paree'?
Quick answers
What this page can answer fast
Who performs "How YOu Gonna Keep 'Em Down On The Farm"?
Andrew Bird performs "How YOu Gonna Keep 'Em Down On The Farm", and this lyric page sits inside the Andrew Bird catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "How YOu Gonna Keep 'Em Down On The Farm"?
Yes. The related section below points to 11:11 and 50 Pieces with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by Andrew Bird?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Andrew Bird's lyric pages.
Song Room
Open Song Room
Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song
Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.
Listener comments
What people are saying
No listener comments on How YOu Gonna Keep 'Em Down On The Farm yet.
A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.
Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.