Abel:
I can hear them callin’ hogs
In the clear Ioway air.
I can sniff the fragrant whiff
Of an Ioway rose.

Melissa:
You’ve got Ioway in your heart!

Abel:
I’ve got Ioway in my hair,
I’ve got Ioway in my ears
And eyes and nose!

Oh, I know
All I owe
I owe Ioway.
I owe Ioway all I owe and I know why.
I am Ioway born and bred
And on Ioway corn I’m fed,
Not to mention her barley, wheat, and rye.

I owe Ioway for her ham
And her beef and her lamb
And her strawberry jam
And her pie.

Soloist:
I owe Ioway more than I can ever pay
So I think I’ll move to
Californ-i-ay!

Abel, Hank, Clay & Lem:
What a shame!
What a shame!
You’ll be good and gosh-darn sorry when you go!

Crowd:
Don’t I know!

Abel, Hank, Clay & Lem:
When you leave your native state
You’ll be feelin’ far from great—
You’ll be good and gosh- darn sorry when you go!

Melissa:
I’m a seed—of Ioway grain.

Wayne:
You’re a breeze—that Ioway blew.

Harry:
I’m a drop—of Ioway rain.

Margy:
You’re a drip—of Ioway dew!

All:
Oh, I know
All I owe
I owe Ioway.
I owe Ioway all I owe and I know why.
I am Ioway born and bred
And on Ioway corn I’m fed,
Not to mention her barley, wheat, and rye.

Abel:
I owe Ioway for her ham

Melissa:
And her beef and her lamb—

Margy:
And her strawberry jam—

Wayne & Harry:
And her pie!

Soloist:
I owe Ioway more than anyone should owe,
So I think I’ll start in owin’ Idaho!

Abel, Hank, Clay & Lem:
What a shame!
What a shame!
You’ll be cryin’ like a baby when you go!

Crowd:
Don’t I know!

Abel, Hank, Clay & Lem:
When you leave your native heath
With your lip between your teeth,
You’ll be bawlin’ like a baby when you go!

All:
Oh, I know
All I owe
I owe Ioway.
I owe Ioway all I owe and I know why.
I am Ioway born and bred
And on Ioway corn I’m fed,
Not to mention her barley, wheat, and rye.

I owe Ioway for her ham
And her beef and her lamb
And her strawberry jam
And her pie.

Soloist:
Though I'm owin' her more than I can ever pay,
If she'll keep me on the cuff, I'd like to stay!

Abel, Hank, Clay & Lem:
Now you're talkin'!

Better stay!
Better stay!
You’ll be good and gosh-darn happy if you do!

Abel & Melissa:
If Ioway is your home,
You're a fool to want to roam
'Cause there can't be any better home for you!

All:
Hey!
Yay!
I!
O!
W!
A!
Ioway!

Oh, I know
All I owe
I owe Ioway.
I owe Ioway all I owe and I know why.
I am Ioway born and bred
And on Ioway corn I’m fed,
Not to mention her barley, wheat, and rye.

I owe Ioway for her ham
And her beef and her lamb
And her strawberry jam
And her pie.

If Ioway is your home,
You're a fool to want to roam
'Cause there can't be any better home for...

I-O-W...
I-O-W...
I-O-I-O...
I-O-W-A!

'Cause there can't be any better home for you!
Ioway!