Onion Man

Many of you know that I am somewhat internet-famous for my stupid song “Onion Man.” This song will not go away. I’ve recorded it on three separate albums (once solo, once with the Semantics aka PopCanon, and once with the Dixieland Space Orchestra), all of which sound better than the solo ukulele version that for some reason was a minor YouTube sensation a couple of years ago.

Anyway, every once in a while I get a letter like the following, which pleases me very much:

Good day to you sir,

I am a resident of North Carolina.  I play the banjo (3-finger/Scruggs, not claw-hammer which confuses me).  I very much like a song of yours, which I believe is titled “Onion Man.”  I would very much like to arrange the acquisition of the lyrics and some sort of chords and/or tabs for it.  It is one of the most wondrous little jingles I’ve heard in some time, and despite my status as a broke college student, I have decided it would be worthwhile to go through considerable lengths to find the song’s author (you?) and secure the chords for it.  If this can be arranged, I would hold you thrice-blessed and a champion asskicker among the savage and profane populous of common humans.  Do please let me know at your soonest convenience.

Cheers from Winston-Salem,

-Stamat

So to Mr. Stamat and others who would like to play this song:

Onion Man Chords

Verse:

A / / / G / D / (x3)

A / / / G D F / / /

Em / / / G / / /

D / Bm / G A E / / /

Chorus:

A / / / G / D /

A / / / G / D G

A / / / G / G# /

Onion Man Lyrics

I was broken down in Georgia, waving down a savior

When soon down the road came this girl named Vidalia

She fed me. She healed me. She fixed my carburetor.

She said “Goodbye,” and I said, “I’ll see you later.”

She said, “Now don’t hold your sweet baby breath.”

Come on now, Vidalia, you’re scaring me to death.

Vidalia, Vidalia, be my onion woman.

Vidalia, Vidalia, I want to be your onion man.

Your onion man, your onion man.

I’ve been looking up, looking down, looking low and high.

I guess I should have known a girl like you would make me cry.

I want to get you in my pickup truck and make you understand

That I want to take you home tonight and be your onion man.

I want to inhale your sweet baby breath

And peel off your layers, until there’s nothing left.

Vidalia, Vidalia, be my onion woman.

Vidalia, Vidalia, I want to be your onion man.

Your onion man, your onion man.

Vidalia, Vidalia, mmm mmmm

Vidalia, Vidalia, mmm mmmm

Vidalia, Vidalia, I want to be your onion man.

Your onion man, your onion man.

Onion Man Videos