Finding Aids >> MUM00344

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1. 1893 -- "Mamie! Come Kiss You Honey Boy" by May Irwin; White Smith Music Pub. Co. (Boston, New York, Chicago). Cover: photo of white performer. "Now then! What the world is looking for. A new Negro Melody." [Rayburn Collection]

Stars shone bright and the moon gave light, MmMm O, My, what fun! I'm going to be married tomorrow night I invite you all to come. Stars shone bright and the moon gave lifht, MmMm O. my, what fun! I'm going to be married tomorrow night I invite you all to come.

Chorus:
I feel so happy I could throw my self away, Can't keep still when the music plays, Tomorrow is my wedding day, I invite you all to come. I think the sun is shining brightly night and day, Don't know what to do or say, Tomorrow is my wedding day, I invite you all to come. Mamie come kiss you honey boy, While the stars do shine. Mamie, Mamie, Mamie, Mamie, Mamie, Mamie come kiss you honey boy While the stars do shine.

Mocking bird sing in the cotton tree, MmMm O, my what fun! There'll be the tallest dancin' you ever see I invite you all to come. Mocking bird sing in the cotton tree, MmMm O, my, what fun! There'll be the tallest dancin' you ever see I invite you all to come.

2. 1896 -- "My Coal Black Lady" by W.T. Jefferson; M. Witmark & Sons (New York, Chicago). Cover: photo of white performer. {back cover advertisement for numerous coon songs} [Rayburn Collection]

I'se got a coal black lady, And she is my little baby, And I love her, yes, I do! She says she is my honey, And she has no use for money, And to her I'll be true, There aint no yaller nigger that can hope to cut a figure with This lady friend of mine, When we start a walkin', we just set 'em all a talkin', We are winners ev'ry time.

Chorus:
This coal black lady, She is my baby, You cannot blame me, No! no! no! 'Case I love her, so! so! so! Her color's shady, But she's a lady, Don't trifle with my coal black lady.

I'se particular to mention, That it is my great intention For to carve that yaller coon, That tries to win this girl of mine, this little coal black valentine, My razor'll seal his doom, Just watch us as we're passing by. and you will see the reason why, That great big cake is mine, When we start a walkin', we just start 'em all a talkin', We are winners ev'ry time.

3. 1902 -- "Under Southern Skies" by Lee Orean Smith (m) and Al Trahern (w); Vandersloot Music Co. (Williamsport, PA). Cover: photo of plantation scene in a musical -- no blacks.

The sweet magnolias are in bloom, the fields are white as snow, The air is filled with rare perfume, the sky is all aglow, Far o'er the hills the setting sun, is sinking bright and clear, The darkies gather 'round and hum, the songs they love to hear, Beneath the shadow of the pines, a lad of seventeen, Is swinging in the ivy vines beside his ideal queen. He whispers to her soft and low, she timidly replies, "I will always love you dear, under southern skies."

Chorus:
You'll hear the darkies singing, The songs they love the best, You'll hear the banjos ringing, While the old folks rest. The pickaninnies dancing, To see who'll win the prize, In the evning by the moonlight, under southern skies.

The moon shines bright, a happy throng, is playing on the green, They join in merry games and song, 'tis joyous Halloween, They crowd around the cabin door, and ask old Mam my Kate, To tell the maxims old, once more, so they can learn their fate, Each maiden there then finds some way, as most all sweethearts do, To see if all the games they play will make her wish come true. When Halloween is past and gone, whe'll tell you in surprise, Ev'ry wish she made came true under southern skies.

4. 1904 -- "Mississippi Mamie" by Maxwell Silver (m) and Andrew Sterling (w); F.A. Mills (New York). Cover: photo of white performer. [Rayburn Collection]

By an old log cabin door on the Mississippi shore, Stood a darkey and his dusky lady love; Tho' she murmured "let me be, there are nicer gals than me," That coon kept wooin' like a cooin' dove; He said "there may be others, but no other one will do, I wouldn't, no, I couldn't, love no other gal but you; You're the keeper of my heart, yes you own it ev'ry part, You're the nicest little gal I ever knew."

Chorus:
Mississippi Mamie, Mamie, I don't want no one but you, Mississippi Mamie, shamie, to threat me like the way you do; Say you'll be my brown skin baby, baby cause I love's you true; Mississippi Mamie, Mamie, I don't want no one but you.

Then this lady drooped her head, and him she softly said, "Are you sure you don't love, Evalina Snow? Don't you want her for you onw?" He replied in tender tone; "I cross my heart and honestly say no; Altho' there's other ladies, there's no gal in all the land Like you Mame; and it's true Mame, 'cause I only want your hand; You're the only one for me, don't you know gal, can't you see, If you liik into my eyes you'll understand.

5. 1905 -- "Everybody Works But Father" by Jean Havez; Helf & Hager Co. (New York). Cover: photo of performer in blackface, sketches of cotton. [Rayburn Collection]

Every morning at six o'clock I go to my work Over coat buttoned up 'round my neck no job would I shirk, Winter wind blows 'round my head cuting up my face, I tell you what I'd like to have my dear old father's place.

Chorus:
Everybody works but father And he sits around all day, Feet in front of the fire Smoking his pipe of clay, Mother takes in washing So does sister Ann, Everybody works at our house but my old man.

A man named Work moved into town, and father heard the news, With Work so near my father started shaking in his shoes, When Mister Work walked by my house he saw with great surprise, My father sitting in his chair with blinders on his eyes.

At beating carpets father said he simply was immense, We took the parlor carpet out and hung it on the fence, My mother said: "now beat it dear, with all you might and main," And father beat it right back to the fireside again.

6. 1909 -- "The Cutter" by Elma Ney McClure; O.K. Houck Piano Co. (Memphis, Nashville, Little Rock, Chattanooga). Cover: ten ape-like caricatures. No lyrics.

7. 1909 -- "The Thriller Rag" by May Aufderheide; J.H. Aufderheide (Indianapolis). Cover: watermellon with inset of caricatured couple kissing. No lyrics.

8. 1909 -- "I'm Alabama Bound" by Robert Hoffman. The Music Shop (New Orleans). Cover: caricatured black dandy. No lyrics.

9. 1910 -- "I'm Alabama Bound" by Bob Hoffman (m) and John J. Puderer (w); The Music Shop (New Orleans). Cover: Dandy male and female, not caricatured.

I'm Alabama Bound I'm Alabama bound I've tried you out I've got to turn you down You're a dog gone low down measly coon When you took me from my Mobile home And promised me If I would room You would make life one long honeymoon I done told you nigger that you aint my kind You shrug your shoulders and you pay no mind So now you'll hear me cry

Chorus:
Goodbye Joe Green farewell to thee there aint no low down nigger that cuts a figure and I wont have you hanging around. You need not plead and beg of me For my grip is packed and I leave this shack I'm Alabama bound.

Do you remember when I tried to help you out You was laid up with a busted mouth You can never say you heard me cry Twas about the time I took that washing in And it was A dirty scandelous sin The way you make them nickles fly I donetold you nigger for to be like me Just drink good whiskey let your cocaine be Or else I'll have to cry

10. 1912 -- "At the Levee On Revival Day" by Chris Smith (m) and Charles R. McCarron & Ferd E. Mierisch (w); Jos. W. Stern & Co. (New York). Cover: preacher, band with guitar and bones, crowd, river in the background with a paddle boat.

A certain day in Dixie comes around each year When darkies start a congregatin' far and near, They gather on the levee Where the flatboats lay, A splashin' in the water washin' sins away, A jumpin' and a shoutin' in a mournful wail The Deacon am a-speakin' on a cotton bale. The tambos and the banjos soon begin to ring, We're gwine ter git to heaven every body sing,

Chorus:
You can hear them moan in' you can hear them groan in' you can hear them cant in' you can hear them chant in' you can hear them pray in' with their bodies swayin' you can hear them screechin' while the preacher's preachin' In their wild elation, yellin' for salvation, When the organ starts to play, Glory glory halleluja, (splash) Overboard goes Sister Julia, Boats wil be capsizin', Folks will be baptizin' at the levee on Revival Day.

You'll see the pickaninnies there with old aunt Cloe Old Uncle Tom and Topsy, even Old black Joe, There's Ephraham a playin' on his violin, An' ev'rybody singin' "Let the sunshine in," There's Deacon Andy Jackson with his purple socks A busy passin' 'round the contribution box. He caught Miss Susie Johnson as he turned his
back, A puttin' in a button an' a carpet tack,

11. 1912 -- "Waiting for the Robert E. Lee" by Lewis F. Muir (m) and L. Wolfe Gilbert (w); F.A. Mills (New York). Cover: sillouette of black couple on river watching the riverboat. [Rayburn Collection]

Way down on the levee in the old Alabamy There's daddy and mammy there's Ephriam and Sammy, On a moon light night you can find them all, While they are waitin' the banjos are syncopatin'. What that they're sayin'? What's that they're sayin'? While they keep playin' hummin' and swayin' It's the good ship Robert E. Lee that's come To carry the cotton away.

Chorus:
Watch them shufflin' along See them shufflin' along Go take you best gal real pal, Go down to the levee, I said to the levee and Join that shufflin' throng, Hear that music and son. It's simply great, mate, Waitin' on the levee, Waitin' for the Robert E. Lee.

The whistles are blowin' the smokestacks are showin' The ropes they are throwin' excuse me, I'm goin' To the place where all is harmonious, Even the preacher, he is the danceing teacher. have you been down there? Were you around there? If you ever go there you'll always be found there, Why dog gone, here comes my baby On the good old Robert E. Lee.

12. 1912 -- "When Uncle Joe Plays A Rag On His Old Banjo" by Theodore Morse (m) and D.A. Esrom; Theodore Morse Music Co. (New York). Cover: night silhouette of cabin. [Rayburn Collection]

Down in Dixie Lives old Uncle Joe, Down in Dixie that's the place to go, Where you sure will hear some music grand. Sweetest melodies in all the land; Every night beneath the southern moon, Uncle Joe would play a raggy tune, Things begin t hum, When he start to strum A rag upon his old banjo.

Chorus:
When Uncle Joe plays a rag on his old banjo, Ev'rybody starts awaying to and fro, Mammy waddles all around the cabin floor. Yelling "Uncle Joe, gimme more, gimme more;" Folks come arunning when they hear the sound, Singing and adancing 'till they shake the ground. When Uncle Joe (plankity plank) Plays a rag (plankity plank) On his old banjo.

Ev'ry night out side the cabin door, You'll see things you never saw before, Shufflin' wingsteps and Virginia reels, Old ones, young ones, kicking up their heels; Uncle Joe keeps playing all the while, Raggy tunes and in the latest style, "Go on, Uncle Joe, Keep on, Uncle Joe, Aplunking on you old banjo."

13. 1915 -- "High Yellow Cake Walk" by F. Henri Klickmann; Frank K. Root & Co. (Chicago, New York). Cover: dandy couple. No lyrics. [3 copies]

14. 1915 -- "I Can Beat You Doing What You're Doing" by Clarence Williams & Armand Piron; Williams & Piron Music Company (New Orleans). Cover: caricatured black couple dancing with big black woman holding a razor standing near.

Mister and Mrs. Brown, Right here in this town, They were just as loving as could be. He never thought that she, She never thought that he, Kept another fellow company. So he went up town, To see a high Brown, He came home and thought that all was well. But his wife got hep, And she made her trip, She came back next morning and yelled.

Chorus:
I can beat you doing What you're doin me, It's fifty fifty mister from now on you see. You bin going our calling most ev'ry day, But I have did the same while you were away. Old boy I tried to treat you right, You would not stand for that, Now I've made my call and I'm, standing pat. I can beat you doing what you're doing me, You bet, my honey, from now, now on.

Brown surely was out done, It really was no fun, when he found out his wife knew of his game. He nearly had a fit, Then he decide to quit, He packed his trunk and sent it to his Jane. She said my poor boy, As she laughed with joy, I've packed my trunk some four five days ago. daylight seems dark, When she made this remark, And yelled as she opened the door.


15. 1915 -- "Tennessee" by Jeff Godfrey (m) and Harold A. Robe (w); Empire Music Co. (New York). Cover: photo of Al Jolson.

Down where sweet magnolias bloom, I hear my old mammy croon, There she waits to take me be the hand Welcome me home to my dear old Dixie land; Pine trees sigh and cry for me, Old folks there would die for me, Guess I'll start to tote my little grip, Back to Tennessee.

Chorus:
Oh Tennessee, You are so dear to me Yes Tennessee, I want you near to me Sing on, ring on, Gee it sounds so grand, friends I'm on my way The B and O will soon be hauling me, So goodbye troubles fade away I'm going back to my Dixie land, Oh Tennessee, I'm coming back to you my Tennessee.

There's where all the year is June, There's where those red roses bloom, Mocking birds sing "honey boy come home We're mighty sad but you all can make us glad;" Come friend take a glide with me, Hop on, take a ride with me, You'll be welcome where my mammy lives, Back to Tennessee.

16. 1915 -- "When That Little Yellow Fellow Play Piano" by David Lindeman (m) and Tell Taylor (w); Tell Taylor (Chicago, New York). Cover: non-caricatured male playing upright piano and girl playing the banjo. [Rayburn Collection]

In southern Alabama lived a girl whose name was Hanna That girl played banjo She'd make your body quiver when she played the Swannee River And the strains from Old Black Joe Darkies They were singin Her banjo would be ringing Folks would father round her cabin door Someone played piano Evry night with Hannah You caould hear them calling our for more

Chorus:
When that little yellow fellow played piano Hannah played banjo He would play it in a lively manner Hannah'd say lets go They would play the eagle rock then the pigwon walk The way they played those tunes made the music talk When that litte yellow fellow played piano Hannah played the banjo.

This little yellow fellow had a voice so soft and mellow His eyes would beam with joy He'd look right up at Hannah then he'd bang that old piano For he was her Honey Boy Nothing could be like it No harmony could strike it Nothing ever with it could compare Banjo and piano Honey boy and Hannah They would make those darkies yell for air.

17. 1916 -- "Sundown On The Old Yazoo" by Evelyn Purvis; L. Gunewald Co. Ltd. (New Orleans). Cover: no picture.

I'm pinin', I'm pinin', yes, alongin' an' asighin' Fuh de ole plantation way down souf. I can see de buddin' cotton, I can smell magnolia blossoms, I can heah de lonesome soun' Of de boys asingin' in de fields when de sun goes down.

Chorus:
Hit's de sweetest music in de worl' An' 'twould be de bes' to you, If you could heah de boys singin' on de ole Yazoo-oo-oo-oo, oo-ah, oo-ah, oo-ah, oo-ah, oo-ah, oo, oo-ah, oo-ah, oo-ah, oo-ah, oo-ah, oo, I wants to heah de boys asingin' on de ole Yazoo once more so bad, Fo' I die.

I'm pinin', I'm pinin', yes, alongin' an' asighin' Fuh de ole log cabin way down souf. I can see de shadows fallin', I can heah my mammy calling, Oh, I loves de lonesome soun' Of de boys asingin' in de fields when de sun goes down.

18. 1916 -- "They Made It Twice As Nice As Paradise And They Called It Dixieland" by Richard A. Whiting (m) and Raymond Egan (w); Jerome H. Remick & Co. (New York & Detroit). Cover: cotton fields in background, with mammy sitting in chair and white child on her lap. [Rayburn Collection]

I used to have a dear old mammy In the days of old Black Joe. She used to cuddle me upon her knee And tell me tales of long ago. She said the angels built old Dixie, And I know that's not a fib, For to me it looks like heaven And I'll tell you wat the angels did.

Chorus:
They built a little garden for the rose And they called it Dixieland, They built a summer breeze to keep the snows Far away from Dixieland, They built the finest place I've known When they built my home sweet home, Nothing was forgotten in the land of cotton, From the clover to the honeycomb. And then they took anangel from the skies And they gaver her heart to me. She had a bit of heaven in her eyes, Just as blue as blue can be; They put some fine spring chickens in the land And taught my Mammy how to use a frying pan, They made it twice as nice as Paradise, And they called it Dixieland.

My dear old Mammy never told me Where she learn'd this mystery, And if I seem'd surpris'd she'd look so wise And say "Ma chile, that's history!" But she liv'd so long in Dixie, She was old enough to know, And I think she might have been there When the land was built, so long ago.

19. 1917 -- "A Little Bit o'Honey" by Carrie Jacobs Bond (m) and W.G. Wilson (w); The Bond Shop (Chicago). Cover: non-caricatured black woman holding a child.

You's ma little black baby wid a turned up nose, An' a little bunch o'wool upon yo' head; You's got dimples in yo' elbows an' wrinkles in yo' toes, An' a mouf lak a watermellon red.

You' ma sweet, sweet pertater, you's ma ripe, ripe termater, You's ma purty little black sugar ball; You's a little bit o'honey dat de bees ain't foun', You's ma own pickaninny -- dat's all!

You's de onlies' little darlin' in de whole roun' worl', An' you's got yo' little fingahs on my heart; You's ma little bit o'woolly headed brown eyed gal Dat I'se always longin' for when we're apart.

For I doan know what I'd do it it wasn't jes' fo' you, You's ma purty little black sugar ball; You's a little bit o'honey dat de bees ain't foun', You's ma own pickaninny -- dat's all!

20. 1917 -- "When The Sun Goes Down In Dixieland" by Albert Von Tilzer (m) and Chas McCarron (w); Broadway Music Corp. (New York). Cover: cabin on the river. [Rayburn collection]

I just received a note today, It had to come along,long way And inside there is a view, Of a cottage where the grass is blue. I left the old home long ago, Where the cotton blossoms grow as white as snow, Oh Gee! I want to be, With my friends and family.

Chorus:
When the sun goes down in Dixie, And the moon begins to rise, That's the hour down in Dixie, When the darkies harmonize. Old Uncle Joe you'll surely see, With his banjo on his knee, And my little sister Hannah, at the old piana, Pickin' our a melody. Come to think about it, I'm going back to the scenes of my childhood, Some day I'll fill the old folks with surprise. When the sun goes down in Dixie, And the moon begins to rise, Back in my mother's arms, I'll be in Paradise.

I'm goin' to send a card some day, And just a few words I will say They will mean the world you see, To the Mother waiting there fro me. Because the words I'm goin' to write, They will state, "I leave for home tomorrow night" She'll wait down by the gate, What a picture that will make.

21. 1918 -- "You'll Always Find A Welcome In Dixieland" by Reuben J. Haskin (m) and Chas. Roy Cox (w); Buckeye Music Pub. Co. (Columbus, Ohio). Cover: river scenery, photo of performers. [Rayburn Collection]

Gee but I feel blue today, Guess that I'll be on my way, Just believe me when I say, That no more I'll roam. For I'mm going home, I've been gone a long, long time, From the Mason Dixon line, Boys I want to say to you, That you'll always find it true.

Chorus:
You'll always find a welcome waiting for you in Dixie, you'll find the way they greet you there can't be beat, Oh! gee, what a treat. When you get off down South at any railroad station, You'll hear darkies hummin', Banjo's strummin', Lordy how I love it, I am always thinkin' of it, That is why I'll take that train that's bound for old Dixie. I'm going back to that old mother of mine, in Caroline, I'm tired of knocking round this land, That's why I'be took my grip in hand, 'Cause I'll find a welcome waiting When I get back to Dixieland.

Just received a little note, Here is what my mother wrote, You had better catch a boat, And come back to me. All the family Longs to shake you be the hand, Welcome you to Dixieland, There will be a jubilee, When your smiling face we see.

22. 1919 -- "Satan I'm Here" by Marshall Walker; Pace & Handy Music Co. (New York). Cover: carciatured man in a frying pan over a fire, held by a devil's hand.

Liza was the leanest, (I said the leanest) I mean the thinest leanest high brown girl And she had the meanest (I said the meanest) the meanest man in all the world, Liza caught him flirtin' (I said a flirtin') It hurt her like it never did before, That night as she lay sleepin' She started dreamin', She dreamed she went below, before old Satan she was led, And this is what she tho't she said; (Good ev'nin')

Chorus:
"Satan I'm here, 'Cause I couldn't stand for a triflin' man, Satan, hear my plea, Don't you put that man close to me, I know he's comin' after while, But we can't shovel from the same coal pile, Oh Satan I'm statin', I couldn't stand for a triflin' man!"

Oh Liza kept on dreamin', (I said a dreamin') I mean a dreamin' bout her triflin' man, Satan's fires were gleamin' (I said a gleamin') beneath a great big fryin' pan, Liza started shovelin' (I said a shovelin') I mean a shovelin' in the fire so broght, She said, "I'm just awaitin', A palpatatin', I hope he comes tonight," When Satan happened to go past, She said, "I hope this coal pile lasts; (Believe me)

23. 1919 -- "Who Discovered Dixie" by Abner Silver (m) and Alex Gerber (w); M. Witmark & Sons (New York). Cover: River with steamboat, mansion, cotton fields with black pickers, young white couple, inset of caricatured black mammy and black banjo picker. [Rayburn Collection]

Lately I've been looking thru my history, Trying hard to solve a certain mystery, Pages I'd scout, Just to find our About a certain little thing that I'm in doubt.

Chorus:
Who discovered Dixie? Who discovered Dixie? What a wonderful place Where you hear the buzzin' of the bumble bees WHere you hear those Cooey Bluey melodies Land of fascination, Home of syncopation, WHere ev'ry thing is fine. We know when old Columbus landed here, He never found that Southern atmosphere, So who discovered dear old Dixieland? It's the grandest place on earth.

I have studied all the great discoveries, And I read of men who sailed the deep blue seas, There's not a nook I overlook, But here is something that I can't find in the book.

24. 1920 -- "Play Me A Dixie Melody" by Fred Rose (m) and Harold G. Frost (w); McKinley Music Co. (Chicago). Cover: southern belle and gentleman with uncle butler with tray. [Rayburn Collection}

Back in the days of my "Kiddie Land" I heard a melody, Rocked in the cradle of Dixie Land, My mammy sang to me; I could sit right down and cry When I think of days gone by.

Chorus:
Play me a Dixie melody Like those I heard on mammy's knee; Sing me at evening's close something about a rose, I love that old familiat rockabye, rockabye, my honey baby! I can't forget that melody, Deep in my heart 'twill ever be; For Dixie I'm yearning, fond memories returning, Play me a Dixie melody.

White cotton fields in the moonlight fair Bring back a melody, Songs my old mammy dear sang me there, The best of all to me; Seems to me I'm there again When I hear a Dixie strain.

25. 1921 -- "A Little Coon's Prayer" by Barbara Hope (m) and De Burch D'Arcy (w); Boosey & Co. (New York). Cover: No picture. "This song may be sung in public without fee or license. The public perforemance of any parodied version, however, is strictly prohibited." [Blythe Collection]

I know a little baby coon, As black as any coal, I love to hear him craow and croon -- The lovely little soul; He plays around our tiny farm, You'll see him ev'ry day, He's just the sweetest coloured coon Down Louisana way!

He's Just a laughing baby coon, With hair as black as night, His eyes they shine just like the moon, The darling little mite; And when he's tired at close of day, They carry him upstairs, My! - you would love to hear him say His simple baby prayers.

He prays: "God bless my Mammy, An' God bless Daddy too! An' dear ole Uncle Sammy An' darlin' Auntie Sue!" And then you softly hear him croon, As hey turn out the light, "God bless dis naughty little coon -- Now, Mister God, Goodnight!"

26. 1924 -- "Mississippi Mammy" by Erwin Schmidt, Mary Bloom, and Casper Nathan; Foster Music Publisher Inc. (Chicago). Cover: cabin with a mammy sitting out front. [Rayburn Collection]

Down the Mississippi hear that whistle blow! Down in Mississippi wish that I could go I'm coming, yes I'm coming You can't keep me back Down to Mississippi to that tattered shack

Chorus:
Mississippi Mammy can't you hear your honey lammy calling? Mammy o'mine I'm pining all o' the time I love you; Tenderly I seem to see you smile while shades of night are falling, I miss your kissin' here's what I'm missin' too I miss the honey bees among the trees a humming while th banjos are a strumming River boats'll open throats will join the mighty welcome when I'm coming Back to Dixie wildwood where I spent my happy childhood, Back to home sweet home: Oh! I am going dippy longing for my Mississippi Mammy.

Down the Mississippi that's where I'll soon be; Down in Mississippi for a jubilee My Mammy, my sweet Mammy Knows how bad I feel For old Mississippi where all things are real.

27. 1925 -- "Let it Rain! Let it Pour!" by Walter Donaldson (m) and Cliff Friend (w); Leo Feist Inc. (New York). Cover: white girl sitting on suitcases, black caricatured porter in background. {lyrics not typed because not pertinent to study} [Rayburn Collection]

28. 1926 -- "Mammy's Sugar Lam'my Chile" by Alice McNees Daniels; Alice McNees Daniels (Memphis). Cover: photo black mammy in rocking chair and white girl. [Rayburn Collection]

Honey, heah de birds am singin' Open up dem big roun' eyes; How dat ol' plantation bell am ringin', Cotton fields acallin', Frost'll soon be fallin'; Don' yo' know de day's abreakin', Time ma lam'my chile am wakin'; Come an put yo' arms aroun' me, Hug me, say yo' glad yo' found me, Aint yo' mammy's sugar lam'mmy chile, Yes Yo' is!

Mammy watches while yo' playin' Roun' ma li'tle cabin doah; Layin' on yo' back athinkin', dreamin', Till de sun's asettin', All tired out an' frettin'; Come an' kneel b'side you' mammy, Say yo' li'tle now ah lay me Down to sleep an' pray de Lord to keep yo' soul while angels guard yo', Mammy's li'tle sugar lam'my chile, 'Cos' yo' is!

29. 1927 -- "Mississippi Mud" by Harry Barris; Shapiro Bernstein & Co. (New York). Cover: photo of white performer. [Rayburn Collection]

When the sun goes down, the tide goes out The darkies gather 'round and they all begin to shout "Hey! Hey! Uncle Dud It's a treat to beat your feet on the Mississippi Mud It's a treat to beat your feet on the Mississippi Mud" What a dance do they do! Lordy, how I'm tellin' you They don't need no band They keep time be clappin' their hand Just as happy as a cow Chewin' on a cud When the darkies beat their feet on the Mississippi Mud. Lordy, how they play it Goodness, how they sway it, Uncle Joe Uncle Jim How they pound the mire with vigor and vim Joy! that music thrills me Boy! it nearly kills me What a show when they go Say, they beat it up either fast or slow.

30. 1927 -- "Sam, The Old Accordion Man" by Walter Donaldson; Leo Feist (New York). Cover: caricatured uncle playing accordion on a cotton bale, two black boys dancing, riverboat in the background. [Rayburn Collection]

In Dixieland, There's a musical man, He has a good time Just making folks happy, This musical man Is a one man band, Folds have to love him For makin' them glad. He don't play melodies Just plays blue harmonies Just like nobody ever had.

Chorus:
He just plays chords, that make you feel grand, They call him Sam, the old accordion man. His dreamy chords Remind you of Heav'n And they're real chords, According to Dixieland. In the evening by the moonlight, When the sun is gone down. How those lovers, levee lovers, Love to hang around, He plays those chords like nobody can They call him Sam, the old accordion man.

At the end of the day, 'Round the new mown hay, That's just the time when All Dixie is happy, Ev'ryone salam That accordion man, They all salam him For making them glad. When he plays What he plays Let me say That he plays Just like no other master can.

31. 1928 -- "The Banjo Player" by Dorothy Gynor Blake; The Willis Music Co. (Cincinnati, Ohio). Cover: pickaninnies, one with banjo.
{"Down South: Five Piano Solos for Early Grades} [Rayburn Collection]

We'll hear the banjo player play At the close of any summer day, For by the light of Mister Moon He will sit and pick a little tune All join hands and make a ring Lawsamassy! How those young folks sing! For the dancing, you'll agree, 'Tis as pretty as a tune can be. He loves to sit and dream and play just content to while the time away, So come daown South 'most any June And you'll hear him strum a little tune, Strum a little tune, strum a little tune, Come, hear him strum a little tune.

32. 1928 -- "Dance of the Pickaninnies" by Louis-Napoleon Guilbault; Guilbault Piano Academy (Lowell, Massachusetts). Cover: no picture. No lyrics. [Rayburn Collection]

33. 1928 -- "Short'nin' Bread" transcribed by Jacques Wolfe; Harold Flammer Inc. (New York). Cover: mammy with red kercheif carrying pan upon her head. No lyrics. [Rayburn collection]

34. 1931 -- "Mississippi Lament" by William Wirges (m) and Walter Preston (w); Carl Fischer Inc. (New York). Cover: black man watches shack being swept away by the river. "A youn Negro returns to his plantation on the Mississippi River only to find that in his absence the River has overflowed its banks and destroyed his crops." [Rayburn Collection]

River, River, Trouble giver! Here Ah stand alone; Gone is all Ah own; Dat's de reason Ah moan: Mississippi River, when you rose wid a thunderin' swell; Seem'd jes lak some evil spirit sent yo' right straight fum Hell,

Chorus:
River Ah recall de sugar cane dat fust Ah planted on yo' banks; How Ah work'd wid might and main And den kneld down and gib mah thanks; In dose days yo' wuz mah friend You never gib me cause to doubt yo' But now our friendship's reach'd de end; Ah'll git along wid out yo' too, River blue!

River, River, Trouble giver! Once Ah worshipp'd yo' But you been untrue Now forever we's through! Yo' done fill'd mah heaven full of dark claoud dat make me feel blue; Mississippi River, Ah sho' hopes dey make yo' blue.

35. 1931 -- "Quit Cryin' the Blues" by Felix Lewis; Sterling Songs, Inc. (New York). Cover: caricatured black man crying. {non racial lyrics - not pertinent to study} [Rayburn Collection]

36. 1932 -- "Underneath the Harlem Moon" by Harry Revel (m) and Mack Gordon (w); De Sylva, Brown and Henderson Inc. (New York). Cover: cityscape with black female in evening dress in foreground. [Rayburn Collection]

If your crying for your dear old Southland, Candy yams and lovin' Sams and 'Ginia hams and such; If your sighin' for you dear old Southland, Sunny skies and mammy's pies you idolize so much, You don't have to cry so very hard, The South is in your own back yard.

Chorus:
Creaole babies walk along with rhythm in their thighs, Rhythm in their feet and in their lips and in their eyes; Where do highbrowns find the kind of love that satisfies, Underneath The Harlem Moon. There's no fields of cotton, pickin' cotton is taboo, They don't live in cabins like the old folks used to do, Their cabin is a penthouse upon Lenox Avenue, Underneath The Harlem Moon. They just live on dancing, They're never blue or forlorn, 'Tain't no sin to laugh and grin, That's why darkies were born. They sout Hallelujah eb'ry time they're feeling low, Ev'ry sheik is dressed up like a "joja" gigolo; You may call it madness but they call it "hideho," Underneath The Harlem Moon.

37. 1936 -- "Is It True What They Say About Dixie?" by Irving Caesar, Sammy Lerner, & Gerald Marks; Irving Caesar Inc. (New York). Cover: man in black face. [Rayburn Collection]

People brag People boast And consistently drink a toast To a place that a lot of them place at the top of the list Are they wrong? Are they right? Is there reason for their delight? I must live in doubt Till the day that I found out. Is it true what they say about Dixie? Does the sun really shine all the time? Do the sweet Magnolias blosson at ev'rybody's door? Do folks keep eating 'possum, 'Till they can't eat no more? Is it true what they say about Swanee? Is a dream by that stream so sublime? Do they laugh, do they love, like they say in ev'ry song? If it's true, that's where I belong.