[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular song from 1905
Words and music by John B. Lowitz
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. Bill Jones was a happy coon
Never worked from moon to moon
Then again he had a way
Of buttin’ in on others say
When he saw folks speaking nigh
Never mind how hard he’d try
He’d have to edge right up and cry
Dat point I’m gwine to argify
Chorus
Never stop to argify
Just let trouble amble by
If you try that butt-in game
You will surely walk off lame
When you see folks in a row
Pass ’em quick, don’t ever bow
Amble, gamble, ramble, scramble
Don’t argify
2. “A real live burglar man I’ll be”
Bill said, “It looks good to me”
So, that night he started out
To turn folks pockets inside out
The very first house that he spied
A big bull dog just lay outside
And when it growled, Bill said I’ll try
It on this dog to argify
Chorus
Never stop to argify
Just let trouble amble by
If you try that butt-in game
You will surely walk off lame
When you see dogs laying down
Let ’em lay, don’t hang around
Amble, gamble, ramble, scramble
Don’t argify