[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular song from 1895.
Words and music by Gus Williams.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. Cleanin’ silber in de kitchen
Eb’ry Thursday afternoon
Make it shine like dizzle dazzle
Like de glimmer ob de moon
Hummin’ songs I larnt from mammy
When I was a little chile
Niggers jinin’ in de chorus
As we’re workin’ all de while
Chorus
Singin’ loud as we are able
Singin’, shoutin’ all de time
Happy, happy, like de angels
As along de clouds dey climb
Eb’ryone ob us is hummin’
Though we doesn’t know de tune
Cleanin’ silber in de kitchen
Eb’ry Thursday afternoon
2. Cleanin’ silber in de kitchen
Elbow grease it am de brush
Till de knives and forks are shinin’
And de spoons begin to blush
All de silber den does twinkle
Lyin’ dar in sweet repose
Like a yaller gal in summer
When she wears her Sunday clothes