[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
From “The Girl and the Taxi”, 1910.
Words and music by Carter De Haven.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- “Babe, I never will get my fill
‘Cause I’m happy when I’m eating”
Said Rastus Keating
One day when meeting Miss Nancy Sweet
“If you’ve got the time we will dine
For I’m always in the mood, dear
For a little food dear, or a little dance
So Nancy Sweet, let’s dance so neat
Come on now, there’s your chance
Chorus
We’ll two-step right into Rector’s
Try a new step that will direct us
To the College Inn
Then begin to eat until you lose your breath
You couldn’t die a better death
‘Cause Ragtime plays while you’re feeding
Grab ma arm babe, don’t keep me pleading
Put on your things now hurry please
So, Nancy Sweet come on and eat a hypnotizing
I’m a sport, I’ll buy a quart, it’s appetizing
I’m the guy who’ll always buy a ragtime table d’hote
- They slipped on their sacks, grabbed a tax
And they started out a bumming
They both looked stunning
Rastus felt like gunning
When the waiter said
“Tables are all gone so move on
Now, I’m sorry to refuse you”
Oh, we’ll excuse you
You can keep the change
Come Nancy dear, get out of here
Before we get the mange
Chorus
So they two-stepped right out of Rector’s
He said “Cream puff, let ’em eject us
‘Cause I know a place where our race
Can sit until we eat our fill
And needn’t worry about the bill
We’ll eat, drink, worry ’bout nothing
Be my peach tart, I’ll be your muffin
Before you die just take a bite
So, Nancy Sweet come on and eat a hypnotizing
I’m a sport, I’ll buy a quart, it’s appetizing
I’m the guy who’ll always buy a ragtime table d’hote