[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular song from 1906.
Words by Arthur Longbrake.
Music by George Fairman.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- Bill Johnson went one night
To the church upon the hill
And listened to the good man preach and pray
Bill had been a wicked coon
And he listened there until
He felt ’twas time to cast his sins away
So, when the parson called for souls
Bill shuffled up the aisle
And humbly at the altar there he stooped
And Bill went home a singin’
Hallelujah all the while
Untill he spied a lonesome chicken coop
With an agonizin’ look
This view of things Bill took
Chorus
Oh-h-h-h-h my! stealin’ fever’s on
Oh-h-h-h-h-h my! I’m nearly gone
If one of them fowls should make a sound
While these feet of mine are hangin’ around
Next morn his feathers would be found
‘Cause that stealin’ fever’s on
- No chicken moved a foot
For of Bill they all were shy
He hurried on for fear he’d go astray
Passed some coons a-rollin’ bones
Gamblin’ fever made him sigh
No craps for me, so long I’m on my way
But resolutions sometimes fade
Temptation’s hangin’ ’round
Devil comes to us just when we’re doin’ fine
Old moon in all her glory
Then so brightly shinin’ down
Exposed some melons clingin’ to the vine
Bill cried as he climed the fence
“I can’t pass up this chance”
Chorus
Oh-h-h-h-h my! melon fever’s on
Oh-h-h-h-h-h my! Here’s where I’m gone
If you want to save my soul tonight
Lord! you got to hide that old moon’s light
When I see melons I ain’t right
‘Cause that melon fever’s on