About The Song
“Amos Moses” is a song written and recorded by Jerry Reed, released in October 1970 as the fourth and final single from his album Georgia Sunshine. The song became one of Reed’s biggest hits, reaching number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 16 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. It also peaked at number 2 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart. The single was produced by Chet Atkins and released under RCA Records. “Amos Moses” was certified gold by the RIAA for selling over one million units and was ranked number 28 on Billboard’s Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1971.
The song tells the story of Amos Moses, a one-armed Cajun alligator hunter who lives alone in the Louisiana bayou, about 45 minutes southeast of Thibodaux, Louisiana. Amos is portrayed as a tough and resourceful man who hunts alligators illegally, using his stump of an arm after losing the rest of it to an alligator bite. The lyrics describe his harsh upbringing, including how his father used him as alligator bait when he was a boy. The song also recounts a sheriff who tries to catch Amos but mysteriously disappears in the swamp, leaving his fate ambiguous.
Jerry Reed was inspired to write “Amos Moses” after hearing about a real alligator hunter named Amos Moses from Louisiana. Reed was attracted to the name and built a lively, humorous narrative around the character. The song features Reed’s signature guitar playing and distinctive vocal style, combining storytelling with a catchy, upbeat melody and lively instrumentation. The song’s chorus and rhythmic groove have made it a fan favorite and a staple on country radio.
“Amos Moses” has been widely recognized for its unique blend of country, swamp rock, and storytelling. It has become a classic in Jerry Reed’s catalog and is often cited as one of his signature songs. The song’s narrative, humor, and memorable hook have ensured its lasting popularity, and it continues to be performed and covered by various artists.
Despite the song’s Louisiana setting, Jerry Reed once humorously claimed in a 1988 show that “Amos Moses” was inspired by a place called Louisiana in Oklahoma, adding to the song’s mystique and Reed’s playful persona. This comment has sparked some confusion but is generally accepted as part of Reed’s wit and showmanship.
In summary, “Amos Moses” is a 1970 hit by Jerry Reed about a legendary one-armed Cajun alligator hunter living in the Louisiana bayou. The song combines vivid storytelling, Reed’s distinctive guitar work, and a catchy melody, achieving commercial success and earning gold certification. It remains a beloved classic in country music and a highlight of Jerry Reed’s career.
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Lyric
Yeah, here comes Amos
Now Amos Moses was a Cajun
He lived by himself in the swamp
He hunted alligator for a livin’
He’d just knock ’em in the head with a stumpThe Louisiana law gonna get you, Amos
It ain’t legal huntin’ alligator down in the swamp, boyNow everybody blamed his old man
For making him mean as a snake
When Amos Moses was a boy
His daddy would use him for alligator bait
Tie a rope around his waist and throw him in the swampAlligator bait in the Louisiana bayou
About forty-five minutes southeast of Thibodaux, Louisiana
Lived a man called Doc Milsap and his pretty wife Hannah
Well, they raised up a son that could eat up his weight in groceries
Named him after a man of the cloth, called him Amos MosesNow the folks of South Louisiana said Amos was a hell of a man
He could trap the biggest, the meanest alligator
And just use one hand
That’s all he got left ’cause the alligator bit it
Left arm gone clear up to the elbowWell the sheriff caught wind that Amos
Was in the swamp trappin’ alligator skin
So he snuck in the swamp gonna get the boy
But he never come out againWell, I wonder where the Louisiana sheriff went to
Well, you can sure get lost in the Louisiana bayou
About forty-five minutes southeast of Thibodaux, Louisiana
Lived a cat called Doc Milsap and his pretty wife Hannah
Well, they raised up a son that could eat up his weight in groceries
Named him after a man of the cloth, called him Amos MosesSit down on ’em Amos
Make it count, son
About forty-five minutes southeast of Thibodaux, Louisiana
Lived a man called Doc Milsap and his pretty wife Hannah