First Line: 
I wanna tell you all a story 'bout a Harper Valley widowed wife

Reference

Genre: 

About the Song

Tom T. Hall's country song became an international hit for country music singer Jeannie C. Ryan.

The 4th video below has clips from the 1978 Hollywood comedy film inspired by the song.

I wanna tell you all a story 'bout a Harper Valley widowed wifeWho had a teenage daughter who attended Harper Valley Junior HighWell, her daughter came home one afternoon & didn't even stop to playAnd she said, "mom, I got a note here from the Harper Valley PTA"
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Well, the note said "Mrs. Johnson, you're wearin' your dresses way too highIt's reported you've been drinking & a-running 'round with men & goin' wildAnd we don't believe you oughta be a-bringin' up your little girl this way"And it was signed by the Secretary, Harper Valley PTA

Well, it happened that the PTA was gonna meet that very afternoonAnd they were sure surprised when Mrs. Johnson wore her miniskirt into the roomAnd as she walked up to the blackboard, I can still recall the words she had to sayShe said "I'd like to address this meeting of the Harper Valley PTA

Well, there's Bobby Taylor sittin' there & 7 times he's asked me for a dateAnd Mrs. Taylor sure seems to use a lotta ice whenever he's awayAnd Mr. Baker can you tell us why your secretary had to leave this town?And shouldn't widow Jones be told to keep her window shades all pulled completely down

Well, Mr. Harper couldn't be here 'cause he stayed too long at Kelly's Bar againAnd if you smell Shirley Thompson's breath, you'll find she's had a little nip of ginAnd then you have the nerve to tell me you think that as the mother I'm not fitWell, this is just a little Peyton Place & you're all Harper Valley hypocrites"

No, I wouldn't put you on because it really did, it happened just this wayThe day my mama socked it to the Harper Valley PTA 
- lyrics & music by Tom T. Hall
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