[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A World War 1 song from 1918.
Words by Ballard MacDonald.
Music by Harry Carroll.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. A line’s been formin’ since half past three
At the ticket window of the Armory
For the papers say tonight at nine
There will be some time
Come on, honey, I’ve got money
Weighing down my jeans
Get all dressed up like Astor’s pup
And you know what that means
Hurry honey, ’cause my watch is slow
All set? Let’s go
Chorus
Look out, here comes Stonewall Grant
Doin’ the tango with his big fat aunt
Close behind see Jackson Lee
All swelled up with dignity
Moses Lincoln, drinkin’ gin
Got himself a razor and a bun
While the jazz band’s playin’
See him swayin’ with Liza Washington
And corp’ral Brown from Memphis town
Has brought his sweet patootie down to the hall
They’re goin’ the Walk the Dog and Ball the Jack
All the way to Berlin and then shimme back
At the Dixie Military Ball
2. Just see that leader, Drum Major Jones
Pulling dark blue music from the saxophones
See the Gen’ral lead the big grand march
Just as stiff as starch
Watch those soldiers shake their shoulders
Up and down the floor
Each dressed to kill old Kaiser Bill
That’s how they’ll win the war
Come on, honey, hear those bugles blow
All set? Let’s go