This song was a tribute to the simple joys of eating peanuts. As the war dragged on however, this song took on new meaning to hungry Confederate troops, whose rations frequently consisted of nothing but peanuts. Lyrics by Jim Whitesell, in memory of Peter Emmanuel Whitesell (33rd Va. Infantry), John Jefferson Whitesell (54th Va. Infantry), and all of the Whitesell and Riedel families living in the Shenandoah Valley. Lyrics: Sittin' by the roadside on a summer's day, Chattin' with my messmates, passing time away, Lying in the shadows, underneath the trees - Goodness, how delicious, eating goober peas. Peas! Peas! Peas! Peas! Eating goober peas! Goodness, how delicious, Eating goober peas! When a horseman passes, the soldiers have a rule, To cry out at their loudest "Mister, here's your mule!" But still another pleasure enchantinger than these, Is wearing our your grinders, eating goober peas! Peas! Peas! Peas! Peas! Eating goober peas! Goodness, how delicious, Eating goober peas! Just before the battle, the General hears a row; He says, "The Yanks are coming, I hear their rifles now" He turns around in wonder, and what do you think he sees? The Georgia Militia, eating goober peas! Peas! Peas! Peas! Peas! Eating goober peas! Goodness, how delicious, Eating goober peas! I think my song had lasted long enough! The subject's interesting, but the rhymes are mighty rough! I wish this war was over, when free from rags and fleas, We'd kiss our wives and sweetheart's and gobble goober peas! Peas! Peas! Peas! Peas! Eating goober peas! Goodness, how delicious, Eating goober peas!
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