[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular song from 1907.
Words by Irving Lewis.
Music by Isabel D’Armond.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. What is the matter, Henry
What makes you look so sad
You act like you was a goin’ to die
Or lost ev’ry friend you had
Have you been a gamblin’, Henry
Has your gal done gone and wed
Maybe I could help you out
If I knew what it’s about
But Henry only sighed and shook his head
Chorus
Ev’rybody’s pickin’ on me
Gettin’ sick of it as can be
A friend’s a friend when a friend’s in need
But ev’ryone helps ev’rybody else but me
My friends have treated me awful bad
Borrowed ev’ry cent that I had
I’ve got this gun to hide behind dat tree
And pick off ev’rybody what’s pickin’ on me
2. Pay no attention, Henry
Just leave them act and do
Go on about your little affairs
Let no one bother you
Just give me dat shotgun, Henry
What! you won’t, well we shall see
I’ll just have you put in jail
And no one will go your bail
Then Henry cried once more “don’t pick on me”
Sung here by Fred Feild: