Below the Mason-Dixon Line

[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]

A popular song from 1910
Words and music by Dave Reed


The sheet music:


Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:


Lyrics

  1. Slip on your Sunday go to meetin’ gown
    Big yaller bonnet and your shoes of brown
    Tell all the people we’re a-goin’ to town
    To ‘tend a ragtime jubilee
    We want to dance, so loosen up your feet
    Spread out your appetite, prepare to eat
    We’re gwine to paralyze the coon elite
    When they gaze on you and me

Chorus
There ain’t a-goin’ to be a bit of fancy dancin’
And there ain’t a-goin’ to be no high class prancin’
And there ain’t a-goin’ to be no two-step, reel or waltz
That all the folks up north call fine
But the alcazazza nd the rasmatazza
We will dance from the garret to the old piazza
As it ought to be at any jubilee
Below the Mason-Dixon line

  1. I hear the music of a Dixie Band
    Just like an echo out of Dixieland
    I feel so nervous I can hardly stand
    I want to dance till I expire
    I want to do the Mississippi glide
    Car’lina shuffle and the chicken stride
    I’ll keep you swingin’ Honey by my side
    Until your shoes done catch on fire