[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial language. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A 1848 melody of Bancker’s Troupe of Sable Brothers.
words, music, and arrangement by J. G. Evans
The sheet music:
Accompaniment:
Lyrics
1. I’ve been through Carolina
I’ve been to Tennessee
I sailed the Mississippi
For massa set me free
I’ve kissed de lubly Creole
On Lousianna’s shore
But I nebber found de gal to match
De blooming Belle ob Baltimore
Chorus
Oh boys, Belle’s a beauty
Eyes so bright and cheek so sooty
No gal I ever seen afore
So sweet as Belle ob Baltimore
2. My Belle is tall and slender
And sings so berry clear
You’d tink she was an owlingale
If once her woice you hear
I walked down to her cabin
And rapped upon the door
I went to gub my doggertype
To my sweet Belle ob Baltimore
3. I found her by de ribber
My errand I did tell
Says she, “You gay deceiber
I know your tricks too well
I seen you kiss anudder gal
De berry night afore”
Wid dat she turned upon her heel
And off went Belle ob Baltimore
4. I wrote my lub a letter
And scented it so sweet
De musk, de clobes, and peppermint
Stuck out about a feet
But all my trouble was no use
I nebber seen her more
For I squached de tender ‘feckshins ob
My blooming Belle ob Baltimore
Sung here by Fred Feild: