Published on June 1st, 2023 | by University of Mississippi

Did You Know: The Lost “Ode to Billy Joe” Lyrics are in the Ole Miss Archives

Bobbie Gentry’s Famous “Third of June” Song Lives in the University of Mississippi

“There are some truly amazing things in the Ole Miss Archives! I have read that the recorded song was much longer, but at least 2, maybe 3, verses got edited out. The record company has looked for the original tape, with all the verses, and cannot find it!. I have also read that she sat by herself in the studio and sang and played guitar for the song. The strings were later added, and when she heard her song with the strings added, she thought her song had been “ruined”! Fortunately it had NOT been.”

– Starke Miller, local historian

Tags: Bobbie Gentry, Mississippi, Ode to Billy Jo, Ole Miss, starke miller, Tallahatchie Bridge, University of Mississippi

About the Author

University of Mississippi The University of Mississippi, affectionately known as Ole Miss, is Mississippi’s flagship university. A member of the elite group of R1: Doctoral Universities - Highest Research Activity by the Carnegie Classification, Ole Miss has a long history of producing leaders in public service, business, academics and the professions. Its 16 academic divisions include a major medical school; nationally recognized schools of accountancy, law and pharmacy; and an Honors College acclaimed for a blend of academic rigor, experiential learning and opportunities for community action. Acclaimed as one of the nation’s most beautiful, Ole Miss's main campus is in Oxford, which is routinely recognized as one of the nation's best college towns.