Lyrics: I Breed the Swine
Bale Harrison & The Texas Field Hands
Parody of “I Walk the Line” by Johnny Cash
Verse 1:
I keep a close watch on this pig of mine,
I breed the swine, oh all the time.
From the old sow’s snout to the litter she’ll bring,
I breed the swine, for bacon’s king.
Chorus:
Because you’re mine, I breed the swine.
Verse 2:
In muddy fields, I bide my time,
Planning out the perfect swine.
Genetics mix, oh what a sight,
I breed the swine to get it right.
Chorus:
Because you’re mine, I breed the swine.
Verse 3:
I find it very, very easy to be true,
Piglets come in shades of black and blue.
I keep a close eye on the genetics line,
Oh, I breed the swine, that’s fine and prime.
Chorus:
Because you’re mine, I breed the swine.
Verse 4:
I hear the oinks when each day is done,
Their muddy smiles, they’re having fun.
In their pens, they root and climb,
Yes, I breed the swine and love this time.
Chorus:
Because you’re mine, I breed the swine.
Verse 5:
I keep the boars in a separate place,
Each gilt’s charm, none can replace.
For every piglet that’s aligned,
I thank the stars, I breed the swine.
Chorus:
Because you’re mine, I breed the swine.
Yawl visit me out at farm dot FM.
Farm Radio
The Humor of Pig Song Parody
Parodying songs is an art form that has long entertained audiences by twisting familiar melodies with new, often humorous lyrics. When the subject of such parody is as unexpected and earthy as pig farming, the comedy gold multiplies. A pig song parody, like “I Breed the Swine,” works on several levels to tickle the funny bone of its listeners, blending agrarian life with playful wit.
Firstly, the intrinsic humor of pigs themselves lends a hefty hand. Pigs, with their snorting sounds, playful antics in the mud, and generally content demeanor, are naturally comedic animals. They have been a staple of humorous sketches and cartoons for decades. The parody song capitalizes on this imagery. Descriptions of pigs rooting around with ‘muddy smiles’ or the meticulous care of breeding ‘fine and prime’ swine easily paint a vivid, amusing picture. The use of such imagery in a song about an otherwise serious business of livestock breeding turns the mundane into the delightful.
Secondly, the juxtaposition of the original song’s themes with the world of pig breeding adds another layer of humor. Johnny Cash’s “I Walk the Line” is a serious song about personal integrity and unwavering love. When those solemn, heartfelt declarations are applied to pig breeding, the seriousness contrasts sharply with the lighthearted subject matter, creating a comedic disparity. Lines like “Because you’re mine, I breed the swine,” parody the original’s emotional depth by substituting romantic fidelity with the dedication to livestock management.
Furthermore, the element of surprise plays a crucial role in the humor of a pig song parody. For fans of the original song, hearing familiar tunes retold in a completely different context is both surprising and entertaining. The novelty of hearing about genetic mixes and the science of breeding in the rhythm and rhyme of a beloved classic catches listeners off guard, provoking smiles and laughter.
Moreover, the wordplay in “I Breed the Swine” enhances its comedic appeal. Puns and clever rhymes are staples of good parody, and twisting “I walk the line” to “I breed the swine” is instantly humorous because of the sound similarity and thematic divergence. Each verse builds on this foundation, exploring the quirks of pig farming with a cheerful, tongue-in-cheek tone. 
