[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial language. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
words by Jack Yellen
music by George L. Cobb
published by Jerome H. Remick & Co., New York
In slavery days African-Americans formed the orchestra for all special events at the plantation. This is a tribute to that memory.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment:
Lyrics
1. Mandolins, violins
Hear the darkies tunin’ up, the fun begins
Come this way, don’t delay, better hurry
Honey dear, or you’ll be missin’
Music sweet, ragtime treat
Goes right to your head and trickles to your feet
It’s a reminder, a memory finder
Of nights down in old Alabam’
Chorus
You ought to see Deacon Jones when he rattles the bones
Old Parson Brown foolin’ roun’ like a clown
Aunt Jemima who is past eighty three
Shoutin’ “I’m full o’ pep! (Watch yo’ step, watch yo’ step)
One legged Joe danced aroun’ on his toe
Threw away his crutch and hollered, “Let ‘er go!”
Oh, honey, Hail! Hail! the gang’s all here
For an Alabama Jubilee
2. Hear that flute, it’s a beaut
And the tunes it’s tootin’ tootsie, ain’t they cute?
Let’s begin, it’s a sin
To be missin’ all this syncopated music!
Oh, you Jane, once again
Give your legs some exercise to that refrain
Boy, that’s what makes me so dreamy and takes me
Back home to my old Alabam’
sung here by Fred Feild: