[WARNING: derogatory racial stereotypes were accepted as comedy entertainment in the early days. No hatred is intended here.]
A great dance party song from 1917 by a black songwriter
words and music by Shelton Brooks
Here’s a bit about this song from the book America’s Songs II written by Michael Lasser: “There was such a ball every year in Chicago. The prostitutes would wear elegant gowns and the pimps turned out in white tie, spats, and top hats. … Brooks … told where the song came from and how he transformed a story he heard into the song: “Now I heard about this working man … He gets an invitation to an affair to be given by the local pimps. A Big Ball. All a mistake and he should never have been asked.” The song turns the pimps into the vaguer “strutters” to make the evening more universal in its appeal.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment:
Lyrics
1. I’ve got some good news, Honey
An invitation to the Darktown Ball
It’s a very swell affair, all the “high browns” will be there
I’ll wear my high silk hat, and a frock tail coat
You wear your Paris gown, and your new silk shawl
There ain’t no doubt about it babe
We’ll be the best dressed in the hall
Chorus
I’ll be down to get you in a Taxi honey
You better be ready about half past eight
Now dearie, don’t be late
I want to be there when the band starts playing
Remember when we get there, Honey
The two steps I’m goin’ to have ’em all
Goin’ to dance out both my shoes
When they play the “Jelly Roll Blues”
Tomorrow night at the Darktown Strutters’ Ball
2. We’ll meet our high-toned neighbors
An exhibition of the “Baby Dolls”
And each one will do their best, just to outclass all the rest
And there’ll be dancers from every foreign land
The classic, buck and wing, and the wooden clog
We’ll win that fifty dollar prize
When we step out and “Walk the Dog”
Sung here by Fred Feild: