[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular song from 1901.
Words by Elmer Bowman.
Music by Al Johns.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. Old Sam Jones runs and owns a Cafe on easy street
But a coon hangs ’round that he calls down
That will never ever treat
He likes his gin and will “butt in” to every argument
But when Sam’s there he doesn’t dare
He acts much different
He ain’t got nothing, won’t do nothing
There’s nothing he will try
But humiliates and aggravates the customers that buy
‘Twas left to Sam, the proprietor man
To find this darkey out
And when he did there was nothing hid
Everybody heard Sam shout
Chorus
“Go way back, and sit down
Coons in your class are easy found
You seldom have money, you never treat
Get in your place and take a back seat
Go way back, and sit down”
2. This coon will hear for many a year
“Go way back, and sit down”
He’s got no vim, the shoe fits him
Still he keeps on hanging around
He still does say there’ll come the day
When better times he’ll see
If he keeps his health, he’ll sure have wealth
And live in luxury
He bet on a horse that always lost
The coons all laughed at him
But this time it won at a hundred to one
Then thousands he “cashed in”
He left the field in an automobile
That took him to Sam’s place
Sam thought he was broke and started to joke
So he told Sam to his face