[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
The sweetest gal you ever seen
a 1896 coon song
words and music by Bert A. Williams
arranged by Geo. W. Hetzel
The sheet music:
Accompaniment:
Lyrics
1. ‘Way down in Lou’siana
Dat’s where ole Sister Hannah
Bakes the cracklin’ bread upon the coals
With her daughter Dora Dean
Who is my dearest queen
Oh! I tell you, boys, she is a lump of gold
She goes to church on Sunday
You’ll find her home on Monday
Helping all the folks the house to clean
Their home it looks so neat
You’ll find it hard to beat
The way its kept by Dora Dean
Chorus
Oh! have you ever seen my Dora Dean
She is the sweetest thing you ever seen
I’m gwine to make this gal sweet Dora, queen
Next Sunday morn’
I’m gwine to marry sweet Dora Dean
2. While down with Sister Holley
We all did feel so jolly
Each one tried to cut a pigeon wing
When up jump’d Dora Dean
Who said, “I am the queen
I can beat you in a dance for anything”
That just suited ole Aunt Dinah
Who sang a tune in minor
Thinking that she could the music make
So we started in to test
To see who was the best
And Dora walked off with the cake
Sung here by Fred Feild: