[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
(A coon’s answer to “Violets”)
A popular song from 1903
Words by Harry J. Breen
Music by T. Mayo Geary
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- A coon who was a waiter in a swell hotel uptown
Got a job one night at a banquet, for to pass the things around
Some high class artists were engaged, to help the thing along
And this coon paid strict attention when he heard a certain song
Some fellow sung of Violets he brought his girl, each night
This coon kept on a humming it, till he thought he had it right
He said, “The music’s pretty but the words will never do”
So, he wrote these lines to it himself, and he sang when he got through
Chorus
Ev’ry morn I bring her chicken, That at daybreak I have stole
Then at eve I bring her parsley, and at night they’re cooked and cold
On the table we have Violets, just to make things sweet Oh
O, those flowers, they are so fragrant, but the chicken’s there to eat
- This coon said “That’s the kind of words, just suited to this song”
For when you go to see your gal bring something good along
There’s no use to look for “Violets” before the break of day
Especially if there’s chicken in a hen coop on the way
If you must gather flowers, why gather some green peas
Or bring some sweet potatoes, it will make her feel at ease
You needn’t roam at daylight for your Violets pure and sweet
If you’ve got a dime just buy them from a pedler on the street