Daisy Donahue

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

A popular song from 1903.
Words by James O’Dea.
Music by Robert J. Adams.


Sheet music provided by Nicholas Leunissen:


Accompaniment:


Lyrics

  1. Daisy Donohue, hair of sunny hue
    Blue-eyed maiden sweet
    Was the prettiest and the wittiest
    Girl on angel street
    From Dago John to little Jakey Krause
    A lot of tender songs she nightly heard
    In most ev’ry foreign tongue
    All praises they were sung
    And here’s the ditty that she most preferred

Chorus
Daisy, Daisy Donohue
I must say I don’t know who
Don’t know who’s as nice as you
Except your mother and your father, too
Daisy, Daisy Donohue
I’m not making fun of you
When I say you are a daisy, daisy
Daisy Donohue

  1. “Though this ditty is quite
    The prettiest thing” said Daisy dear
    “It’s suspiciously and deliciously
    Coon-like to my ear
    But all was plain when Daisy dear was told
    By little Tim Mc Cue whose song it was
    ‘Twas a tender Irish lay
    Warbled in a negro way
    Says he, “I only sing it just because”