[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
From “Ziegfeld Follies of 1911”
Words by Grant Clarke
Music by Bert Williams
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- Mister Shubert’s serenade is grand
I cert’ly love to hear a big brass band
Play Sousa’s Marches by the score
An’ I likes good op’ra what is more
Dat pleasing melody in F
Is sho’ some music, well I guess
But folks make a mistake, you see
When dey say dat’s all to harmony
Chorus
‘Cause when your best gal says
You’re her Marathon kid
Dat’s Harmony
When de wedding bells are ringing
Like dey never did
Dat’s Harmony
When you stand befo de altar han’ in han’
De preacher says to her
Are you taking dis man
She steps right up says “Deed I am”
“Man” Dat’s Harmony
- Of Modern music I adore
Dat Barber’s chord of Mister Jefferson Lord
And dar’s dat thing the Minor Strain
It sho’ has got one sweet refrain
Dat Every Little movement thing
Has got dos Streets of Cairo swing
Don’t think I can’t appreciate
Dat music cause it’s great
Chorus
But when your wife says
Come to your dinner, John
Dat’s Harmony
When you jes gets a wiff
Of what she’s bringin’ on
Dat’s Harmony
Wid all due credit to a big brass band
De sweetest music in de land
Is when you hear de sizzle
From de fryin’ pan
“Man” Dat’s Harmony