[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
a 1877 popular song
words and music by William S. Hays
The sheet music:
Lyrics
- I hear dat bell a-ringin’
I see de Captain stand
Boat done blowed her whistle
I know she’s g’wine to land
I hear de mate a-callin’
“Go git out de plank
Rush out wid de head line
And tie her to de bank”
Chorus
Roll out! heave dat cotton
Roll out! heave dat cotton
Roll out! heave dat cotton
Ain’t got long to stay
- It’s early in de mornin’
Before we see de sun
“Roll aboard dat cotton
An’ git back in a run”
De Captain’s in a hurry
I know what he means
Wants to beat de Sherlock
Down to New Orleans - I hear dat mate a-shoutin’
An’ see him on de shore
Hurry boys! be lively
Ain’t but fifty more
We ain’t got time to tarry
Here at dis cotton pile
We gwine to git another
Below here forty mile - We done took on de cotton
Shove out from de shore
Sailing down de river
We gwine to land for more
When you hear de whistle
An’ de big bell ring
We gwine to land for cotton
Roll out, boys, an’ sing
Sung here by Fred Feild: