[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
a 1897 popular song
words by S. B. Alexander
music by Summit L. Hecht
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. Was a coon he lived down yonder
An his curves I done got onter
He cut me out completely wid ma Gal
So I felt it war ma duty
Fo’ter spile dat ar coon’s beauty
An’ teach him not ter monkey ‘roun’ ma Sal
Wal, I t’ought dat up I’d size him
Dat I’d go down an’ surprise him
I meant ter spread him all about de place
When I sharpened up ma razer
Nervy Sal, it didn’t phase her
She had a cur’ous smile onto her face
Chorus
I’s an awful wicked nigger
Dat’s w’at I am, Yes I am
Wid ma razzer in ma han’
I’s mighty spry, yo’ bet I’s spry
Hol’ yer finger on der trigger
Now jes’ yo’ do, better do
‘Kase dis nigger am up to snuff
An’ awful, awful fly
2. Yes ma min’ war fixed ter lick him
I would punch him an’ would kick him
His mudder wouldn’t know her son, no mo’
‘Kase he injured ma affection
An’ he needed some correction
Which I was sot on givin’ him, fo’ sho’
So I sot out, mad an’ bilin’
An’ dat coon, he met me smilin’
We mingled dar, dat minute, in a fight
An’ he done me mighty neatly
Yes, he laid me out completely
An w’en we finished I was jes’ a sight
Chorus
He’s an awful wicked nigger
Dat’s w’at he is, yes he is
Needs no razzer fer ter fight
He am so spry, yo’ bet he’s spry
Hol’ yer finger on der trigger
Now jes’ yo’ do, better do
‘Kase dat nigger am up to snuff
An’ awful, awful fly
3. We am allays sumfin learnin’
An ma ‘sperience I’s earnin’
I’s learn’d a lesson, an’ I’s got it right
Yo sweet life, yo’d safely bet it
Dat I nebber shall fergit it
It doesn’t pay about a gal ter fight
Tain’t no use, ye needn’t snigger
Kase I ain’t no fightin’ nigger
Do’ want ter see a razzer or a knife
Any coon like me ‘twould sicken
Ger ter get dat fearful lickin’
Do wan no mo’ in mine
Yo’ bet yo’ life
Chorus
I’s no mo a wicked nigger
Yo’ bet I ain’t, no I ain’t
An’ ma razzer I has laid forever by
Do’ wan’ it nigh
Keep yer finger off dat trigger
Now jes’ yo’ do, oh, please do
‘Kase I’s shook de gang
An’ now I’s trough wid bein’ fly
Sung here by Fred Feild: