Wynonie Harris, Keep On Churnin’ | Midnight Heat 🕛 🔥

In the 49th edition of Midnight Heat 🕛 🔥 (2025), we explore the naughty, sexy vibes behind “Keep On Churnin’ (Till the Butter Come)” by Wynonie Harris.

Ah, bring on Midnight Heat 🕛 🔥! Wait – it is not usually hot at midnight! Well, it is steaming hot 🥵 at midnight when it comes to this naughty, innuendo, and sex-laden column featuring songs intended for nighttime. These risqué, unapologetic records often raise eyebrows and temperature alike. In the 49^th edition of Midnight Heat (2025), we explore the naughty, sexy vibes behind “Keep On Churnin’ (Till the Butter Come)” by Wynonie Harris.

“Keep on churnin’ ‘til the butter comes / Keep on churnin’ ‘til the butter comes / Keep on pumpin’ make the butter flow / Wipe off the paddle and churn some more.” Was Wynonie Harris (1915 – 1969) really singing about churning butter, or is he getting at something else?  Without a doubt, “Keep On Churnin’ (Till The Butter Come)”, recorded in 1952, thrives off its double entendre. Playing devil’s advocate, perhaps it’s my own dirty, perverted mind that makes “Keep On Churnin’” sound like a passionate sexual experience.  But, pump can be slang for *cough* ejaculation.  If you pump gas, it is inserted into the vehicle’s fuel tank, gassin’ it up 🤭!  But surely, such pumping never crossed the R&B singer or the songwriters’ (Henry Glover, Jester Hairston, and Syd Nathan) minds, right?  Well, I doubt Harris was that excited about butter… And when he sings, he is exuberant – each note is a bust, I mean, a burst of joy 💦 🤭 😈!

Harris does mention cows, as well as sheep, which brings up another potential double meaning.  Harris sings, “Take the sheep, leave ‘em be / Bring the finest brown cow straight to me.”  In the butter production scenario, he wouldn’t need the sheep – only the cow. But, is that fine brown cow a fine woman with a darker complexion? Typically, a cow, when referencing women specifically, has a negative connotation.  The innuendo feels strong, particularly lines that feel less innocent.  “Daddy needs butter for his shortnin’ bread.” Oh, does he, now 😈? “Ooh, now moo cow keep on swishin’ your tail…” Oh, yeah, sounds like he enjoys a big juicy peach 🍑! “First comes the milk, then comes the cream / Takes good butter to make your daddy scream.” There is no way that this is not about sex! It’s smooth like butter 🧈, baby! And the double entendre and innuendo never seem to end! “I’ll milk you cow / ‘Til my pail is full / Look out heifer / Here comes your bull.” What more of “Keep On Churnin’ (Till The Butter Come)” can you say but, MOOO 🐄!