[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial language. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A minstrel song from 1840. Same tune as “A Wet Sheet and a Flowing Sea”.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by Benjamin R. Tubb:
Lyrics
1. A Nigger in Alabama lived
Dey used to call him Joe
Dis nigger lived to be so old
His head was white as snow
Dis nigger he was very rich
The poor ones liked him well
Dey used to go to de old man’s house
Some stories for to tell
Chorus
Den strike de toe and heel my lass
Den strike de heel and toe
Miss Phillis am a waiting for your Alabama Joe
2. This old Nigger built a church
A minister he hired
Who staid with them about four years
Then quit ’cause he was tired
This minister a good salary got
As all these niggers know
De money it was paid to him
By Alabama Joe
3. Dis made these niggers all feel bad
To think he served them so
But the one the shock fell worse upon
Was Alabama Joe
In a few years after dis
De good old nigger died
He left these niggers all he had
And Miss Phillisy his bride
4. His money he did will away
To Phillisy his spouse
Which caused a great disturbance
At dis old nigger’s house
Miss Phillisy had him buried
All under an old tree
And after dey had buried him
Dese niggers had a spree
5. A Nigger in Virginny lived
Who heard of old Joe’s death
And strait for Alabama steered
And never stopped for breath
He quick made love to Phillisy
Who was a charming fair
Her eyes was bright as diamonds
And curly was her hair
6. Dis nigger he was a Fisherman
A Fisherman so old
A fishing he did go one night
And caught a dre’full cold
Dis nigger lived in great harmony
Old age did make him pine
For she was only twenty three
And he was ninety nine
7. Dis story that I now relate
As a good old nigger said
He went one morning to their house
And found dis couple dead
Now Miss Phillisy she is dead
Old Joe he went before
Dat oder nigger has gone too
We shall see them no more
Sung here by Fred Feild: