[WARNING: This song contains racial stereotypes, including the N-word. It is presented in its original for as a part of music history.]
an immense success from 1898
words by Wallace Moody
music by Lee B. Grabbe
The sheet music:
Accompaniment:
Lyrics
1. Dar’s a little ole log cabin
On de banks of Oyster Bay
An’ you’ll find ole Ratus sittin’ in de do’
He ain’t de cullud, cultured coon
Yuh see ’round now-a-day
Jus’ a common niggah slave befo’ de wah
But he was de swellest coon on dat plantation
Though he nevah wore no store clo’s mighty fine
An’ he’ll show yuh what to do
If yuh only ask him to
Present de ole-time cake walk south of Dixie line
Chorus
Then it’s first you git a gal yuh know
Pull her aroun’ de corners slow
Always keep along de line
Till de leader gib de sign
Swing yuh lady fair an’ square
Don’t yuh nevah turn a hair
Den yuh got yuh Rastus’
Ole-time cake-walk on de go
2. He’ll git up an’ say, “Dis niggah
May be ‘way behin’ de time
An’ de rhumatiz a-layin’ of him low”
He’ll cut a fancy figure, shoutin’
“Coon heah’s where I shine!”
Wile ole Dinah standin’ laughin’ in de do’
He’ll scorn yer swallertail an’ chokin’ collar
Yer patent leather shoes an’ yallah tie
If yuh want to win de cake
Go to Ras’ fer mercy sake
Den yuh got de cake a-comin’ on de fly
Sung here by Fred Feild: