mama ,"

Another notable difference is that, in the original version, the Lumberjack wishes he was a girlie " just like my dear mama ," whereas subsequent versions replace " mama " with " papa ," implying that the lumberjack inherited his tendency for transvestism from his father.

A word now long reckoned an ethnic slur, " darkies ", that is used in the lyrics has become such an embarrassment for singers and audiences alike that at public performances words like " lordy ," " mama ," " darling ," " brothers " or " dear ones " are typically used in place of the offensive word.

Throughout the song, the woman, addressed as " mama ," is alternately pleaded with ( to go with the speaker " up the country ") and threatened (" When I leave this time, pretty mama, I'm going away to stay ").