[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular song from 1901
Words by James Burrell
Music by James T. Brymn
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. Down in sunny Alabama
Close beside a running stream
Where the cotton tails are growing
And all nature seems to dream
Where the sweet magnolias blossoms
Lend their perfume to the breeze
And the nightingale sings sweetly
To his helpmate in the trees
Near to the stream there stands a cot
With roses ’round the door
A dusky bright-eyed maiden waits for me
Then my heart it starts a-beating
And I love her more and more
For I know she’ll listen
While I sing this plaintive melody
Refrain
You are the light of my eyes
Angeline, all mine
Bright as the clear summer skies
In some lovely clime
Patiently, babe, I can wait
For the happy time
When in my arms I can hold you
And call you my Angeline
2. When the trees are turned to golden
Then I know the day is near
That my waiting will be over
And I’ll get my wish most dear
For that little dusky maiden
She will be my happy bride
Like a bird within its nest
I’ll watch o’er her with care and pride
And when the pickaninny’s come
To play around the fire
At twilight then she’ll rock them fast asleep
Crooning some old-fashioned lullaby
As though she’d never tire
In the stillness then I whisper
As close to her side I’ll creep
Sung here by Fred Feild: