[WARNING: From a time when racial stereotypes were used for entertainment. No hatred is intended here. This song is being presented in its original form as part of music history.]
A 1896 popular song
words and music by Charles E. Trevathan
This song is called May Irwin’s song. It was written for her. She sang it and made it popular. There is a video of May Irwin singing it on YouTube. Her tempo is 118 bpm. It is the basis for the fiddle tune Bully of the Town.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment:
Lyrics
1. Have yo’ heard about dat bully dat’s just come to town
He’s round among de niggers a layin’ their bodies down
I’m lookin’ for dat bully, and he must be found
I’m a Tennessee nigger, and I don’t allow
No red-eyed river roustabout with me to raise a row
I’m lookin’ for dat bully, and I’ll make him bow
Chorus
When I walk dat levee round, round, round, round
When I walk dat levee round, round, round, round
When I walk dat levee round,
I’m a-lookin’ for dat bully an’ he must be found
2. I’s gwine down the street with my ax in my hand
I’m lookin’ for dat bully and I’ll sweep him off dis land
I’m lookin’ for dat bully, and he must be found
I’m a take ‘long my razor, I’se gwine to carve him deep
And when I see dat bully, I’ll lay him down to sleep
I’m lookin’ for dat bully, and he must be found
3. I went to a wingin’ down at Parson Jones’
Took along my trusty blade to carve dat nigger’s bones
Just a-lookin’ for dat bully, to hear his groans
I coonjined in the front door, the coons were prancing high
For dat levee darkey I skinned my foxy eye
Just a lookin’ for dat bully but he wan’t nigh
4. I asked Miss Pansy Blossom if she would wing a reel
She says, “Law, Mr. Johnsing, how high you make me feel”
Then you ought to see me shake my sugar heel
I was sandin’ down the Mobile Buck, just to cut a shine
Some coon across my smeller swiped a watermelon rin’
I drawed my steel dat gemmen for to fin’
5. I riz up like a black cloud and took a look aroun’
There was dat new bully standin’ on the ground
I’ve been lookin’ for you, nigger, and I’ve got you found
Razors ‘gun a-flyin’, niggers ‘gun to squawk
I lit upon that bully just like a sparrow hawk
And dat nigger was just a dyin’ to take a walk
6. When I got through with bully, a doctor and a nurse
Wan’t no good to dat nigger, so they put him in a hearse
A cyclone couldn’t have tore him up much worse
You don’t hear ’bout dat nigger dat treated folks so free
Go down up the levee, and his face you’ll never see
Dere’s only one boss bully, and dat one is me
Encore:
When you see me comin’, hist your windows high
When you see me goin’, hang your heads and cry
I’m lookin’ for dat bully, and he must die
My madness keeps a risin’, and I’se not gwine to get left
I’m gettin’ so bed dat I’m askeer’d of myself
I was lookin’ for dat bully, now he’s on the shelf
Sung here by Fred Feild: