[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial language. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
(or “The Christening”)
a 1909 popular song
words and music by Cecil Mack and Chris Smith
The sheet music:
Accompaniment:
Lyrics
- Abe Jones had a christening at his house last night
To name his first born child
To get it a high-toned name and start it right
Old Abe was almost wild
The day ‘for the christening Deacon Green inquired
What the child’s name was to be
One said name it Sam. another hollered Ham
But Abe said, “Name it this for me”
Chorus
George Washington, Christopher Columbus
Roosevelt, Douglas Lee
Jim Jeffries, Joe Gans, Dixon, ring in Booker T.
Admiral Dewey, Thomas Jeff’son
McKinly, Sherlock Holmes
Hezekiah, Obediah, Abraham Lincoln Jones
- Abe’s friend said to him, “You must be crazy sure
It’s too much name, that’s all
Now why don’t you name it something short and sweet
Like Peter, John or Paul?”
Old Abe shook his head and said, “The name is long
I really must confess
I can’t give it fame, but here is some more name
So christen it what I like best” - They all got excited till one brother cried
“We’ll leave it to its Aunt”
Said she, “I ain’t caring how much name it gets
Don’t leave out Genral Grant”
‘Twas then, that its mammy raised her voice and said
“Just let me talk a while
All them arguments don’t mount to thirty cents
Because it ain’t that kind of child”
Sung here by Fred Feild: