I hear the Rodney Crowell version of this played a lot on Sirius "Outlaw" channel. I quick search brought up all these different lyrics ~

OLD PIPELINER
(Ray King / Tommy Hill)

Red Sovine - 1964
Rodney Crowell - 1981
Hackberry Ramblers with Rodney Crowell - 1992
Billy C. Farlow - 2001

Also recorded by: Moon Mullican; Jimmy Ellis.


Well, I'm an old pipeliner, I lay my line all day
Yes, I'm an old pipeliner and lay my line all day
I got forty-nine women waitin' to draw my pay

When you see me comin', better raise your window high
When you see me comin', better raise those windows high
And when you see me leavin', better hang your little head and cry

Well, I'm an old pipeliner, I lay my line all day
Yes, I'm an old pipeliner and lay my line all day
I got forty-nine women waiting to draw my pay

(Piano Solo)

Ah, play them songs, boys....

Just like a one-eyed cat peeping in a seafood store
Just like a one-eyed cat sleeping in a seafood store
You don't want me 'round, baby, I won't mess around with you no more

Just let me be your little dog till your big dog comes
Just let me be your little dog till your big dog comes
And when the big dog gets here, watch your puppy dog run

Well, I'm an old pipeliner, I lay my line all day
Yes, I'm an old pipeliner and lay my line all day
I got forty-nine women waiting to hear Albert play

And he can play, yeah....

(Guitar Solo)

Yeah, I'm an old pipeliner, I lay my line all day
Yes, I'm an old pipeliner and lay my line all day
I got forty-nine women waiting to draw my pay

Well, I'm an old pipeliner, I lay my line all day
Well, I'm an old pipeliner and lay my line all day
I got forty-nine women waiting to draw my pay


(Transcribed from the Rodney Crowell
recording by Mel Priddle - August 2005)


******


ALTERNATE VERSIONS:

Written by Moon Mullican under the title "PIPELINER BLUES":


PIPELINER BLUES No. 1
Moon Mullican - 1940

I'm an old pipeliner, I lay my line all day
I'm an old pipeliner, I lay my line all day
I got four or five women waiting to draw my pay

I lay my line until the sun goes down
I lay my line until the sun goes down
Home to my woman, the meanest gal in town

When you see me coming, raise your window high
When you see me coming, raise your window high
See me leaving, hang your head and cry

You never miss your water until the well runs dry
You never miss your water until the well runs dry
You never miss your baby until she says goodbye


PIPELINER BLUES No. 2
Moon Mullican - 1941

I'm an old pipeliner, I lay my line all day
I'm an old pipeliner, I lay my line all day
I got four or five women waiting to draw my pay

I lay my line until the sun goes down
I lay my line until the sun goes down
Home to my woman ,the meanest gal in town

The mean old blues, they worry me all the time
The mean old blues, they worry me all the time
I'm leaving you now to wear you off my mind

If you don't like my peaches, please don't shake my tree
If you don't like my peaches, please don't shake my tree
If you don't like my peaches,leave my peache tree be

You never miss your water until the well runs dry
You never miss your water until the well runs dry
You never miss your baby until she says goodbye


PIPELINER BLUES No. 3
Moon Mullican - 1951)

I'm an old pipeliner, I lay my line all day
I'm an old pipeliner, I lay my line all day
I got four or five women waiting to draw my pay

I lay my line until the sun goes down
I lay my line until the sun goes down
Home to my woman, the meanest gal in town

You never can tell what a pipelining man will do
Oh, you never can tell what a pipelining man will do
You think he's working, but he's out running 'round on you

When you see me coming, raise your window high
When you see me coming, raise your window high
See me leaving, hang your head and cry

You better wind the clock and wind it right
'Cause we're going to have a little showdown tonight
Early in the morning when the rooster crows
You better be ready when the whistle blows

I'm an old pipeliner and I lay my line all day
I got four or five women waiting to draw my pay

A "pot liner" is something my high-fiber diet creates every morning. Conversely, "laying pipe" is often what I tell folks I'm going to do when it's time for a pot liner.

That's rather coincidental that the Balfa's would do a song like that; it makes complete lyrical sense to me.

~R!

Thanks guys,

Now, I know more about pipeliner music that I've ever
expected!

Jus' wunnerin' .. y'never know!

--Big