[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A great jubilee song from 1884
Words and music by F. Heiser
The sheet music:
Lyrics
- Come, all you little niggers
Now watch your cues and figures
Climbing up de golden stairs
If they think you are a dude
They will treat you rather rude
Climbing up de golden stairs
Ole Peter looked so wicked
When I ask’d him for a ticket
Climbing up de golden stairs
At the sight of half a dollar
He will grab you by the collar
And fire you up de golden stairs
Chorus
Then hear them bells a-ringing
‘Tis sweet, I do declare
Oh, hear them darkies singing
Climbing up de golden stairs
- Old Satan’s not the dandy
To feed you on mix’d candy
Climbing up de golden stairs
But he’ll give you brimstone hot
And he’ll choke you on de spot
Climbing up de golden stairs
They’ll lock you in the stable
Make you fight for Cain and Abel
Climbing up de golden stairs
Old man Adam and his wife
Will be there with drum and fife
And march you up de golden stairs - Go tell the Jersey Lily
The sights would knock her silly
Climbing up de golden stairs
And tell John L. Sullivan
He must be a better man
If he’d climb de golden stairs
Bob Ingersoll’s respected
But is bound to be rejected
Climbing up de golden stairs
Oh, you bet he’ll kick and yell
When they fire him into…well
Climbing up de golden stairs