Hold 'em Joe, hold 'em Joe, hold 'em Joe
But don't let him go
Hold 'em Joe, I say hold 'em Joe, hold 'em Joe
But don't let him go
Me donkey want water, hold 'em Joe
Spring 'round the corner, hold 'em Joe
Me donkey want water, hold 'em Joe
Everybody want water, hold 'em Joe
Fuma la catchimba, hold 'em Joe
Me donkey want water, hold 'em Joe
Everybody want water, hold 'em Joe
Me donkey want water, hold 'em Joe
We on a journey he don't walk straight
And that is because he's so underweight
Donkey of mine, he don't like weight
Put him on a cart he never walk straight
Me donkey want water, hold 'em Joe
Everybody want water, hold 'em Joe
Me donkey want water, hold 'em Joe
The people want water, hold 'em Joe
Me donkey want water, hold 'em Joe
Fuma la catchimba, hold 'em Joe
Me donkey want water, hold 'em Joe
Me donkey need water, hold 'em Joe
My ol' donkey went courtin' one day
With a donkey named Melda across the way
She was twice his age, he put up a fight
Now he's cryin' every night
"Ah, lemme go, darling Melda
You breaking my backbone
Lemme go, darling Melda
You breaking my"
(Everybody) lemme go, darling Melda
You breaking my backbone
(Once again now) lemme go, darling Melda
You breaking my backbone
(A little louder) lemme go, darling Melda
You breaking my backbone
(A little softer) lemme go, darling Melda
You breaking my backbone
Ah, some people say that my donkey is bad
And that is because he's from Trinidad
Donkey of mine he won't work at all
All he want to do is break out him stall
Me donkey want water, hold 'em Joe
Sing out the chorus, hold 'em Joe
And sing a little louder, hold 'em Joe
Me donkey want water, hold 'em Joe
And you go on water, hold 'em Joe
Me donkey want water, hold 'em Joe
Fuma la catchimba, hold 'em Joe
Donkey want water, hold 'em Joe
And sing a little softer, hold 'em Joe
And still a little softer, hold 'em Joe
Now sing a little louder, hold 'em Joe
Donkey want water, hold 'em Joe