Well I saw the thing comin' out of the sky
It had the one long horn, one big eye.
I commenced to shakin' and I said "ooh-eee"
It looks like a purple people eater to me.

Well he came down to earth and lit in a tree
I said Mr. Purple People Eater don't eat me
I heard him say in a voice so gruff
I wouldn't eat you cuz you're so tough

I said Mr. Purple People Eater, what's your line
He said it's eatin' purple people and it sure is fine
But that's not the reason that I came to land
I wanna get a job in a rock and roll band

And then he swung from the tree and lit on the
ground. He started to rock, really rockin' around
It was a crazy little ditty with a swingin' tune

Well, bless my soul, rock and roll
flyin' purple people eater.
Pigeon-toed, undergrowed, flyin' purple people eater.
Flyin' little people eater
Sure looks strange to me.

And then he went on his way, and then what do
you know. I saw him last night on a TV show.
He was blowing it out, a'really knockin' em dead
Playin' rock and roll music through the horn in
his head

 

 

Sheb Wooley, the winner of the Country Music Association's 1968, "Comedian Of The Year Award," is one of those rare artists who, over the years has consistently enjoyed success in both Nashville and Hollywood.

    
To country fans he has perhaps best been known for his million dollar selling novelty tunes like Don't Go Near The Eskimos, Harper Valley P.T.A. #2 and Fifteen Beers Ago, which were recorded under the pseudonym "Ben Colder." He is also known for his more serious country hits like That's My Pa a #1 Hit in 1962, and other songs which he recorded under his own name. Along the way however, Wooley who resided in Hollywood from 1950-1979 carved out a second career as an actor. He has appeared in more than 50 feature films. Just a few of the more notables are: "High Noon" with Gary Cooper, and Grace Kelly, (he played the killer Ben Miller). "Rocky Mountain" with Errol Flynn, the "War Wagon", with John Wayne and Kirk Douglas, "Rio Bravo" with John Wayne, "Distant Drums" with Gary Cooper, and Giant with James Dean and Elizabeth Taylor.

Singer, songwriter and actor Sheb Wooley died Tuesday Sept. 16, 2003  He was 82.

 

Next