Tillsonburg Tobacco (Nicotiana tobacum) These seeds were gifted to us from Melodie Howes in a small corked bottle labeled as ‘Southern Ontario Tobacco 1950’s’. We decided to name this Southern strain after the Stompin Tom Connors song ‘Tillsonburg’. (Lyrics and chords below) The family had grown the plants many times since then, however, germination was less than 5 % in our first trial of 2023. Since then we have had time to build up a plant population and evaluate the species. Our best conclusion points towards an old Louisiana or Mississippi, Burley-type of heirloom tobacco, historically used for pipe and cigarette blends. This tobacco is very ornamental with light pink tubular flowers towering on 4-5’ plants with large tropical, light green leaves that are largest at the ground level. Flowers bloom for most of the summer right into late fall. An Extremely Rare strain from the Howes family. Prefers part to full sun.
100 days to maturity
50 seeds per packet
Disclaimer: Sold for ornamental, historical, and ceremonial purposes only. Cultivation and use may be subject to local regulations. Not intended for recreational or commercial tobacco production.
Tillsonburg - Stompin’ Tom Connors
Tuning: E A D G B ECapo: no capo
[Intro]
Hey Tom, have you ever been to Tillsonburg? Tillsonburg
G C
My back still aches when I hear that word.
[Verse 1]
G
While way down in southern Ontario,
C
I never had a nickel or a dime to show,
G
A fella beeped up in a automobile,
N.C. C
Said, you wanna work in the tobacco fields,
F C
Of Tillsonburg? (Tillsonburg), Tillsonburg, (Tillsonburg)
G F C
My back still aches when I hear that word.
[Verse 2]
G
He said I'll only give ya seven bucks a day,
C
And if you're any good you get a raise in pay,
G
Your bed's all ready on the bunk house floor,
N.C. C
If it gets, a little chilly you can close the door,
F C
Of Tillsonburg (Tillsonburg), It was Tillsonburg, (Tillsonburg)
G F C
My back still aches when I hear that word.
[Verse 3]
G
I was feelin' in the mornin' anything but fine,
C
The farmer said I'm gonna teach ya how to prime,
G
He said you gotta don a pair of oilskin pants,
N.C. C
If you wanna work in those tobacco plants,
F C
Of Tillsonburg (Tillsonburg), Tillsonburg, (Tillsonburg)
G F C
My back still aches when I hear that word.
[Verse 4]
G
We landed in a field that was long and wide,
C
With one old horse and five more guys,
G
I asked him where to find the cigarette trees,
N.C. C
When he said,’bend over’ I was ready to leave,
F C
Of Tillsonburg (Tillsonburg), Tillsonburg, (Tillsonburg)
G F C
My back still aches when I hear that word.
[Verse 5]
G
He said to pick just the bottom leaves,
C
And don't start crawlin' on your hands and knees,
G
Prime your row 'cause you'll get no pay,
N.C. C
For standin', here pickin' at your nose all day,
F C
in Tillsonburg (Tillsonburg), Tillsonburg, (Tillsonburg)
G F C
My back still aches when I hear that word.
[Verse 6]
G
With a broken back bendin' over there,
C
I was wet right through to the underwear,
G
And it was stuck to my skin like glue,
N.C. C
From the nicotine, tar and the mornin' dew,
F C
Of Tillsonburg (Tillsonburg), Tillsonburg, (Tillsonburg)
G F C
My back still aches when I hear that word.
[Verse 7]
G
Now the nearest river was two miles from,
C
The place they were waitin' for the boat to come,
G
When I heard some talk about makin' the kill,
N.C. C
I was down the highway and over the hill,
F C
from Tillsonburg (Tillsonburg), Tillsonburg, (Tillsonburg)
G F C
My back still aches when I hear that word.
[Verse 8]
G
Now there's one thing you can always bet,
C
If I never smoke another cigarette,
G
I might get taken in a lot of deals,
N.C. C
But I won't, go work in the tobacco fields,
F C
Of Tillsonburg (Tillsonburg), Tillsonburg, (Tillsonburg)
G F C
My back still aches when I hear that word. X 4
