[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
from Williams and Walker’s 1907 musical “Banana Land”
words by Alex Rogers and Jesse Shipp
music by Bert Williams
The sheet music:
Accompaniment:
Lyrics
1. How some folks gits ‘long in this world, sho’ is a mystery
I’se tried to figger out how ’tis done, but it’s bad philosophy
‘Cause when you stop an trys to think ’bout this or that man’s plan
Right there you’se done yourself some harm
‘Cause “time waits for no man”
Chorus
‘Tis a fas’ world, one mo’ fas’, fas’ world
De man what says, “Oh, I’ll git mine”
Don’t you stop to listin’, you’ll be left behind
‘Cause it’s cert’nly, sho’ly, truly, positively
One mo’ fas’, fas’ world
2. A man once come to me and had a great tip so he said
I’ve got a scheme, an if you’ll help me, ther’ll be lots of money made
I went in, lost my money and you bet I sho’ was sore
He said, “Don’t fret ’bout losin’, ain’t yo name out on the door?”
Chorus
‘Tis a fas’ world, one mo’ fas’, fas’ world
He didn’t have nothin’ when he went in
When he left he wore a great big diamond pin
Yes, it’s cert’nly, sho’ly, truly, positively
One mo’ fas’, fas’ world
3. Cy Wilson took me ridin’ in his automobile once
We kept on flyin’ by marble slabs, so I ast Cy like a dunce
Dis ho’ is one large graveyard we is passin’ on our run
Den Cy says, “Dis here ain’t no graveyard, dem is milestones, son”
Chorus
‘Tis a fas’ world, one mo’ fas’, fas’ world
Dat night was hot, but here’s a fact
I found both my ears frost bit when I got back
Yes, it’s cert’nly, sho’ly, truly, positively
One mo’ fas’, fas’ world
4. I met a po’ boy on the street, just a few days ago
He said he was jes eight years old, and looked as if ’twas so
He said, “I am an orphan, Pa died in the Civil War
Give me a quarter to help my Ma, she died right after Pa?”
Chorus
‘Tis a fas’ world, one mo’ fas’, fas’ world
That kid worked on my feelings so,
I clean forgot that war was thirty years ago
Gee, this is cert’nly, sho’ly, truly, positively
One mo’ fas’, fas’ world
5. I saw six kids jump on one boy, in a side street one day
I stopped and asked them why they all bear one boy in that way
The bigges’ boy of them said to me, “Now, “Cull,” just take your time
This kid’s been shining shoes for five, the UNION price is a dime”
Chorus
‘Tis a fas’ world, one mo’ fas’, fas’ world
The poice came and made a grab
The UNION, they all “beat it” but they got the scab
My this is cert’nly, sho’ly, truly, positively
One mo’ fas’, fas’ world
6. I heard an undertaker talking to his friend one day
I’m going to move away next week, the living here don’t pay
There’s just one doctor in thsi town and that won’t do for me
Now, up in Greenwille, where I’ll move the downs got twenty-three
Chorus
‘Tis a fas’ world, one mo’ fas’, fas’ world
He sure was a master of his trade
He’s figured out the death rate twenty years ahead
Deed this is cert’nly, sho’ly, truly, positively
One mo’ fas’, fas’ world
Sung here by Fred Feild: