Prologue

Harper Valley PTA

I wanna tell you all a story ‘bout
A Harper Valley widowed wife
Who had a teenage daughter
Who attended Harper Valley Junior High
Well, her daughter came home one afternoon
And didn’t even stop to play
And she said, “Mom, I got a note here from the Harper Valley PTA”

Well, the note said, “Mrs. Johnson
You’re wearin’ your dresses way too high
It’s reported you’ve been drinking
And a-running ‘round with men and goin’ wild
And we don’t believe you oughta be a-bringin’ up
Your little girl this way”
And it was signed by the Secretary
Harper Valley PTA

Well, it happened that the PTA was gonna meet
That very afternoon
And they were sure surprised
When Mrs. Johnson wore her miniskirt into the room
And as she walked up to the blackboard
I can still recall the words she had to say
She said, “I’d like to address this meeting of the Harper Valley PTA

Well, there’s Bobby Taylor sittin’ there
And seven times he’s asked me for a date
And Mrs. Taylor sure seems to use a lotta ice
Whenever he’s away
And Mr. Baker can you tell us why
Your secretary had to leave this town?
And shouldn’t Widow Jones be told to keep
Her window shades all pulled completely down.

Well, Mr. Harper couldn’t be here
‘Cause he stayed too long at Kelly’s Bar again
And if you smell Shirley Thompson’s breath
You’ll find she’s had a little nip of gin
And then you have the nerve to tell me
You think that as the mother I’m not fit
Well, this is just a little Peyton Place
And you’re all Harper Valley hypocrites”

No, I wouldn’t put you on because it really did
It happened just this way
The day my mama socked it to the Harper Valley PTA
The day my mama socked it to the Harper Valley PTA

Writer: Tom T. Hall
Singer: Jeannie C. Riley
Copyright 1968, Unichappell Music Inc. o/b/o Morris Music Inc.

Harper Valley PTA was a major hit in 1968 for singer Jeannie C. Riley. Written by singer/songwriter Tom T. Hall, it ended up as Number One on both the Billboard Hot Country Singles and the Billboard Hot 100 (the pop music chart). It debuted at number 81 on the Billboard Hot 100; a week later it was at number 7, the fastest rise in the decade.

Lyrically and stylistically, the song was simple and plain, with a catchy tune and without any choruses. It proved such a hit for Riley that in future years she would sing it twice during her performances, first at the start of a show, telling her audience she knew why they were there, and then again at the end of the show. Her audiences loved it.