[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular song from 1913
Words by Broughton Tall
Music by William Owens
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- Hurry to that steamboat pier
Sailing time is drawing near
Come on darkies, don’t you hear?
First mate swearing, oh, my Lawdy dear
Old sidewheeler, Nancy Lee
Running right since Sixty-three
Wheels churning, a’ turning
Anxious for to go
Here is Deacon Jones
There is Razor Bones
By that cabin door
Hear that shove-off bell
Hear those darkies yell
For that Godly shore
Chorus:
Oh, moonbeams are playing, a’ straying
Oh, coons are a’ swaying, a’ praying
Can’t you hear old Deacon Jones saying?
Come you sinners, come you sinners
Oh, banjos a’ tuning, a’ crooning
Oh, soon I’ll be spooning, a’ mooning
For where my Cal’line’s sure to be
That’s where I’m goin’ to be
At that old Camp-meeting Shore
- August moon is shining bright
River covered with its light
Lawdy, this is sure some night
Here comes Cal’line dressed clean out of sight
Just the time to kiss and spoon
Just the place and just the moon
Come honey, my honey
Goodness, don’t be shy
See that darky throng
Hear that good old song
Rising to the sky
I just want to say
That I’m goin’ to stay
Right here till I die