“The Ballad of Jed Clampett” serves as the unforgettable theme song for the beloved sitcom, The Beverly Hillbillies. Premiering on 1 February 1963 in the UK and running for nine seasons, the show captivated audiences with its hilarious fish-out-of-water premise. Created by Paul Henning and executive produced by Al Simon and Martin Ransohoff, The Beverly Hillbillies followed the adventures of the Clampett family, who struck oil and became instant millionaires.
The theme song, composed by Paul Henning himself, narrates the story of Jed Clampett and his journey from a humble mountaineer to a Beverly Hills resident. With its catchy lyrics and spirited melody, “The Ballad of Jed Clampett” became an iconic part of the series, setting the stage for each episode’s comedic escapades. The Beverly Hillbillies concluded its run on 23 March 1971, leaving behind a rich legacy and a theme song that remains etched in the hearts of fans, reminding them of the laughter and joy the show brought into their lives.
Song Lyrics
Come and listen to my story about a man named Jed
A poor mountaineer barely kept his family fed
And then one day he was shootin at some food
And up through the ground come a bubblin crude
Oil that is black gold Texas tea
Well the first thing you know ol Jed’s a millionaire
The kinfolk said Jed move away from there
Said Californy is the place you ought to be
So they loaded up the truck and they moved to Beverly
Hills that is Swimmin pools movie stars
Well now it’s time to say good bye to Jed and all his kin
And they would like to thank you folks fer kindly droppin in
You’re all invited back next week to this locality
To have a heapin helpin of their hospitality
Hillbilly that is Set a spell Take your shoes off
Y’all come back now y-hear
