[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular Negro melody from 1841
Composed and sung by Mr. R.W. Pelham
Fleetwood lithograph
The song was published by Firth & Hall in New York. It is associated with minstrel shows. The cover features a boy dancing in a dilapidated room.
The sheet music:
Interestingly, “Ginger Blue” was also a character created by Thomas D. Rice in his play “The Virginia Mummy”, 1835. The song was performed by Joel Sweeney, who was known for playing it on a four-string gourd banjo.
Sung here by Mark Weems: