by The Goat Ate My Fence Again
Performed By Debbie “Hayride” Harper & The Prairie Songbirds
FREE DOWNLOAD: The Goat Ate My Fence Again
LYRICS: The Goat Ate My Fence Again
Verse 1
Goat’s at it once more,
Fence down on the floor,
Chewing all day long,
Breaking where we belong.
Oh, Tex from next door,
Watching this whole uproar,
Smiling as I come around,
To get my goat from his ground.
Verse 2
Morning light appears,
Fence gone disappeared,
Goat’s munchin’ hard,
Nibblin’ the backyard.
Every morning’s the same,
Tex knows his name,
Calls him while I’m still asleep,
This sneaky little fence-eating sheep.
Chorus
My goat ate the fence again,
Wood’s got no defense, my friend,
He’s always chewing,
Never ends,
My goat ate the fence again.
Verse 3
Hammer and some nails,
Fix it up like tales,
Goat’s back in sight,
Chompin’ through the night.
But there’s Tex waving hi,
Under the big Texas sky,
Seems my goat knows too well,
Where he’d like me to dwell.
Bridge
Neighbors laugh and tease,
Fixing fence with ease,
But they don’t really know,
Goat’s the real star of the show.
Maybe it’s not all bad,
This goat ain’t just a fad,
He chews, I meet him, that’s my cue,
To see the man who makes me feel brand new.
Chorus
My goat ate the fence again,
Wood’s got no defense, my friend,
He’s always chewing,
Never ends,
My goat ate the fence again.
Outro
So here’s to my goat, who loves to chew,
He might just be the best wingman, who knew?
Every broken fence, a chance to see,
Tex, who might just fancy me.
….
I’m keeping this damn goat…
….
Wouldn’t you keep him too?
Song Analysis: “The Goat Ate My Fence Again” by Debbie “Hayride” Harper & The Prairie Songbirds
Overview
“The Goat Ate My Fence Again” is a lighthearted and humorous country song that uses a seemingly mundane rural problem—a goat habitually destroying a fence—as a metaphor for unexpected connections and the quirky twists of fate that bring people together. It’s an amusing narrative that blends daily farm life challenges with a blossoming romantic subplot, making it a charming addition to any country music playlist.
Lyric Breakdown
Verse 1 & 2
The song opens with a recurring issue: the goat’s destructive habit. The goat not only chews through the fence but also serves as a bridge between the singer and Tex, a neighbor. These verses set up the central conflict (the repeatedly destroyed fence) and introduce the relational dynamic between the narrator, the goat, and Tex. The goat’s antics create a reason for the neighbors to interact, suggesting that the inconvenience might not be so unwelcome.
Chorus
The chorus is catchy and humorous, emphasizing the goat’s relentless behavior with a light-hearted resignation. “Wood’s got no defense, my friend,” whimsically anthropomorphizes the fence as a helpless victim to the goat’s gnawing. The repetition of the goat’s actions underlines a cycle that, while frustrating, also brings an odd sort of reliability and routine to the narrator’s life.
Verse 3 & Bridge
In the third verse, the act of fixing the fence each night is depicted almost as a ritual that ensures continued interactions between the narrator and Tex, underlined by Tex waving “hi” under the “big Texas sky.” The bridge offers a reflection from the community, observing the situation but not fully understanding the personal significance it holds for the narrator. It hints that the goat’s actions, while seemingly disruptive, actually enrich the narrator’s social life, particularly her interactions with Tex.
Outro
The outro brings a twist, revealing the narrator’s affection not just for Tex but also for the role the goat plays in her life. The goat is humorously credited as the “best wingman,” acknowledging that his fence-chewing antics are what allow these repeated encounters. The closing lines, “I’m keeping this damn goat… Wouldn’t you keep him too?” tie back to the theme of serendipity and the unexpected ways life can deliver happiness and potential romantic opportunities.
Thematic Analysis
At its core, “The Goat Ate My Fence Again” explores themes of serendipity, connection, and the small, often humorous events that shape our lives. It suggests that annoyances can sometimes turn into blessings in disguise, especially when they serve as catalysts for human connection. The song uses the everyday language and imagery of rural life to create a narrative that is both relatable and entertaining, resonating particularly well with audiences familiar with the trials and tribulations of country living.
Conclusion
Debbie “Hayride” Harper & The Prairie Songbirds have crafted a witty and engaging song that uses a simple, relatable story to explore deeper themes of community, romance, and finding joy in life’s small disruptions. It’s a celebration of how sometimes, the most frustrating experiences can lead to the most unexpected and rewarding outcomes.
Originally posted 2000-09-01 09:45:47.
