[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular song from 1901
Words and music by Brown and Allen
Arranged by Theo. H. Northrup
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- At ragtime hall, a full-dress ball
Took place one night last week
Coontown society, indulged in ecstacy
Those coons had dressed, their very best
Their style was hard to beat
To see the airs these coons put on
Was certainly a treat
One big swell coon in the anteroom
His face was all a-smile
To his friends did tell of his coat so swell
Made up in London style
“Those coons,” said he, “will envy me
When I walk across that floor”
I thought that coon would have a fit
As soon as he looked thro’ that door
Refrain
Ev’ry darkey had a raglan on
In his button hole a big chrysanthemum
Silk hat, and patent leather shoes
Gloves and cane so stylish
High-toned ladies wore their furs and seals
Some of them had on Automobiles
Well, in that room there was a hundred coons
And ev’ry nigger had a raglan on
- This black galoot said sure he’d shoot
The man that made that coat
Next day he didn’t stop
‘Till he found that tailor shop
Chock full of gin, he walked right in
And grabbed that clothing man
Says he, “I’ve got a bone to pick
With you, now understand
Between us both you took an oath
The day I came around
You said I had the latest fad
And the only one in town
I made my brag about this rag
And all my friends I told
I felt like thirty cents when I walked in
For what did I behold”