A Modern PEI Folk Song Just for Fun

Before beginning this project I was not personally familiar with any PEI folk songs, although my mothers family farmed potatoes on the island. However, I always associated this song, by Stompin Tom Connors, with the farming stories I was told by my family.

Bud the Spud 
Tom Conners 

Chorus: 
Well it's Bud the Spud, from the bright red mud, 
Rollin' down the highway smilin', 
The spuds are big on the back of Bud's rig, 
There from Prince Edward Island, 
There from Prince Edward Island. 

Now from Charlottetown, or from Summerside, 
They load him up for the long long ride; 
He jumps in the cab and he's off with the Pride Sebagoes. 
He's gotta catch a boat to make Tormentine, 
Then he hits up that old New Brunswick line, 
Through Montreal he comes just a flyin' 
With another big load of potatoes. 

Chorus 

Well, the cops have been lookin' for the son of a gun 
That's been rippin' the tar off the four-O-one; 
They know the name on the truck shines up in the sun -- 
"Green Gables." 
But he hits Toronto and at seven o'clock, 
He backs her up again at the terminal dock, 
And the boys gather `round just to hear him talk 
About another big load of potatoes. 

"Hey bud." 

Is that you callin' 

"Ya Bud, what are you haulin'?" 

Got another big load of the best potatoes that's ever been growed. 

"Where are they from?" 

They're from Prince Edward Island. 

"Where?" 

They're from Prince Edward Island. 

"Oh, do you like potatoes?" 

Do I like potatoes? I like: 
Mashed potatoes 
Boiled potatoes 
Scalloped potato 
Whipped potato 
Curried potato 
French-fried potatoes 
Baked potato 

"Hash browns!" 

Potato chips 
Potato roti 
Potato soup 
Potato salad 
Potato knish 
Potato pari 
Potato gelatti 
Potato fritters 
Potato pancakes 

"Buddy, oh I want a potato pancake!" 

Chorus 

Now I know a lot of people from east to west 
And they like the spuds from the island best, 
`Cause they stand up to the hardest test -- 
Right at the table; 
So when you see that old truck rolling by, 
Kinda wave your hand or wink your eye, 
`Cause that's Bud the Spud, from P.E.I. 
With another big load 
He's got another big load 
He's got another big load of potatoes!


http://www.alsimmons.com/lyrics/tl_budthespud