Jeannie C. Riley

Harper Valley Pta

Jeannie C. Riley


Tom: A

A
I wanna tell you all a story 'bout a Harper Valley widowed wife 
          D
who had a teenage daughter who attended Harper Valley Junior High 
         A
Well her daughter came home one afternoon and didn't even stop to play 
             D                             E               A
and she said Mama got a note here from the Harper Valley PTA 
 
Well, the note said Mrs. Johnson you're wearing your dresses way to high 
       D
it's reported you been drinkin' and a'runnin 'round with men and going wild 
       A
and we don't believe you oughta be a'bringin' up your little girl this way 
           D                       E               A
and it was signed by the secretary Harper Valley PTA 
 
A#
Well, it happened that the PTA was gonna meet that very afternoon 
        D#
and they were sure surprised when Mrs. Johnson wore her miniskirt into the room 
        A#
and as she walked up the blackboard I can still recall the words she had to say 
        D#                                                F
she said I'd like to address this meeting of the Harper 
           A#
Valley PTA 
Well, there's Bobby Taylor sitting there and seven times he's asked me for a date 
        D#
and Mrs. Taylor sure seems to use a lot of ice whenever he's away 
        A#
And Mr. Baker can you tell us why your secretary had to leave this town?
        D#
And shouldn't Witta Jones be told to keep her window shades 
F                               A#
all pulled completely down 
 
B
Well, Mr. Harper couldn't be here cause he stayed too long at Kelly's bar again 
        E
And if you smell Shirley Thompson's breath you'll find she's had a little nip of gin 
        B
And then you have the nerve to tell me you think that as a mother I'm not fit 
        E
well, this is just a little Peyton Place and you're all 
F#                      B
Harper Valley hypocrites 

No, I wouldn't put you on because it really did, it happened just this way 
E                                       F#              B
the day my mama socked it to the Harper Valley PTA 
E                                       F#              B
the day my mama socked it to the Harper Valley PTA