There was a man
(There was a man)
Now please take note
(Now please take note)
There was a man
(There was a man)
Who had a goat
(Who had a goat)
He loved that goat
(He loved that goat)
Indeed he did
(Indeed he did)
He loved that goat
(He loved that goat)
Just like a kid
(Just like a kid)
One day that goat
(One day that goat)
Felt frisk and fine
(Felt frisk and fine)
Ate three red shirts
(Ate three red shirts)
Right off the line
(Right off the line)
The man, he grabbed
(The man, he grabbed)
Him by the back
(Him by the back)
And tied him to
(And tied him to)
A railroad track
(A railroad track)
Now, when that train
(Now, when that train)
Hove into sight
(Hove into sight)
That goat grew pale
(That goat grew pale)
And green with fright
(And green with fright)
He heaved a sigh
(He heaved a sigh)
As if in pain
(As if in pain)
Coughed up those shirts
(Coughed up those shirts)
And flagged the train!
(And flagged the train!)
I've seen many versions of this song online. Here is the version I learned from my grandfather:
Bill Grogan's goat (Bill Grogan's goat)
Was feelin' fine, (Was feelin' fine,)
Ate three red shirts (Ate three red shirts)
Right off the line. (Right off the line.)
Bill took a stick, (Bill took a stick,)
Gave him three whacks, (Gave him three whacks,)
And tied him to (And tied him to)
The railroad tracks. (The railroad tracks.)
The whistle blew. (The whistle blew.)
The train grew nigh. (The train grew nigh.)
Bill Grogan's goat (Bill Grogan's goat)
Was doomed to die! (Was doomed to die!)
He gave three groans (He gave three groans)
Of mortal pain, (Of mortal pain,)
Coughed up those shirts, (Coughed up those shirts,)
And flagged that train! (And flagged that train!)