[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial language. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A 1921 song from the Father of the Blues
lyrics by Lieut. J. Tim Brymm
music by W.C. Handy
This song was updated by Mr. Handy and renamed Aunt Hagar’s Blues.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment:
Lyrics
Old Deacon Splivins, his flock was givin’
The way of livin’ right
Said he, “No winging, no ragtime singing here tonight”
Up jumped Aunt Hagar, and shouted out with all her might
“Why all this razzin’? about the jazzin’?
My boys have just come home
With latest music, they play it on the saxphone”
“Oh, my just listen!” the deacon shouted with a moan
Chorus
Hear Aunt Hagar’s children harmonizing
Hear that sweet melody
It’s like a choir from on high broke loose
If the devil brought it
The good Lord sent it right down to me
I don’t know what it’s called
But believe me, it is one mournful blues
Patter
Um! ‘taint no use in talkin’, Um! Hagar’s children squawkin’
Such jazzapation, such modulation
When my feet say dance I just can’t refuse
When I hear that melody they call the Blues
Aunt Hagar’s children Blues, some blues, some blues
Sung here by Fred Feild: