[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular song from 1913
Words by Chas. Potter and Ferd. E. Mierisch
Music by Ed. Mobs
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. Emancipation day at the Darktown cabaret
Darkies congregate to celebrate this great occasion
Folks from everywhere, you will find them there
All the very swellest of the colored population
"Hannah Snow" "Old Black Joe"
Came from the "Swanee Shore"
Mammy did the "Eagle Rock"
And made the people roar
Soon there was a riot, no one could deny it
Everybody hollered "more"
Chorus:
"Down in Georgia Lan" with my "Honey Man"
He's my pride and joy, 'cause he's sure "Some Boy"
When the "Jingle Bells" began to ring
All the people started in to buck and wing
Then they called upon "Alexander's Band"
Soon we heard the strain of "Old Dixieland"
Everyone was gay on "Emancipation Day"
At the dark town Cabaret
2. Oh, everybody's dressed in their swellest and their best
Feet begin to shuffle when the music starts a swellin'
Pickaninnies file up and down the aisle
They would sooner dance than eat a juicy watermelon
See them scoot, shake the boot
Oh don't they do it nice
There's Ebenezer Johnson in the backroom shootin' dice
Come you old eleven, shoot that lucky seven
Glory this is worth the price