[WARNING: these lyrics contain the N-word. Original presented as part of music history.]
a 1847 minstrel song
words and music by Daniel Decatur Emmett
The sheet music:
Accompaniment:
Lyrics
1. De Spring ob de year hab come at last
Winter time is gwan and past
Four and twenty Boatmen all of a flock
Sitting on de sea shore, peeking off a rock
Chorus
Dance de Boatmen dance
O dance de Boatmen dance
Dance all night ’till the broad daylight
And go home wid de gals in de morning
2. Hi ho, de Boatmen row
Floating down de riber on de Ohio
Hi ho, de Boatmen row
Floating down de riber on de Ohio
3. I went on board de oder day
To hear what de Boatmen had to say
Dare I let my passion loose
Dey cramm’d me in de calaboose
4. Oh let me loose, I’ll go ashore
Let me loose, I’ll work no more
Stay now nigger, dat’ll neber do at all
You’ve got to play to de Boatmen’s ball
5. In come some wid bran new suits
Long tail’d coats, and high heel’d boots
Get out ob de way, you hab no chance
For dis is what de call de Boatmen’s dance
Sung here by Fred Feild: