The narrator, a city boy from California, visits his uncle's farm in Tennessee thinking he'll be hunting and fishing but ends up doing farm chores like feeding sows, shearing sheep, and shoveling manure instead. He struggles with milking a cow and finds the farm life challenging and smelly.

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Meaning of "How Do You Milk a Cow" by Cledus T. Judd


The lyrics of "How Do You Milk a Cow" humorously depict the clash between city life and farm life, highlighting the narrator's struggles as a fish out of water in a rural setting. The narrator's initial expectations of a fun summer filled with outdoor activities quickly turn into a series of challenging farm chores he's not equipped for. The song serves as a commentary on the disconnect between urban and rural lifestyles, emphasizing the hard work and dedication required to maintain a farm. The repeated question of "How do you milk a cow?" symbolizes the narrator's inability to adapt to the unfamiliar tasks and lifestyle of farm work. Ultimately, the narrator gives up and returns to California, highlighting the difficulties of transitioning from city life to farm life.