First Line:
I wanna tell you all a story 'bout a Harper Valley widowed wife
Artist & Tune
Composed by:
Rec/Performed by:
Version by Jeannie C. Riley
Performed by:
Version by Loretta Lynn
Performed by:
Version by Casi Joy
Performed by:
Version by Karen Waldrup
Performed by:
Version by Carrie Marie
Performed by:
Version by Lily Comer
Performed by:
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 wife Who had a teenage daughter who attended Harper Valley Junior High Well, her daughter came home one afternoon & didn't even stop to play And she said, "mom, I got a note here from the Harper Valley PTA"A - - - / D - - - / A - - - / D E A -
Well, the note said "Mrs. Johnson, you're wearin' your dresses way too high It's reported you've been drinking & a-running 'round with men & goin' wild And 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 afternoon And they were sure surprised when Mrs. Johnson wore her miniskirt into the room And as she walked up to the blackboard, I can still recall the words she had to say She 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 date And Mrs. Taylor sure seems to use a lotta ice whenever he's away And 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 again And if you smell Shirley Thompson's breath, you'll find she's had a little nip of gin And then you have the nerve to tell me you think that as the mother I'm not fit Well, 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 way The day my mama socked it to the Harper Valley PTA
- lyrics & music by Tom T. Hall
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