Lyrics:

I was born on a farm out in Ioway A flaming youth I was bound I would I packed my grip and I grabbed my saxophone Can't read notes, but I play anything by ear I made up tunes on the sounds that I used to hear When I'd start to play folks used to say 'Sounds a little Goofus to me' Cornfed chords appeal to me I like rustic harmony Hold a note and change the key Hey but that's 'Goofus' Not according to the rules That you learn in music schools But the folks just dance like fools They sure go for 'Goofus' Got a job but I just couldn't keep it long The leader said that I played all the music wrong So I stepped out with an outfit of my own Got together a new kind of orchestree And we all played just the same 'Goofus' harmony And I must admit we made a hit 'Goofus' has been lucky for me