[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial language. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A 1901 southern love song.
words by R.C. McPherson
music by Chris Smith and Elmer Bowman
This song was written, sung, and recorded by African-American performers.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment:
Lyrics
- In sunny South Car’lina lives an old aunt Dinah
And her daughter named Caroline
She’s winsome cute and airy
Her folks they call her Carrie
I hope some day, that she’ll be mine
To meet her ev’ry ev’ning
When the stars are brightly beaming
Brings joy and pleasure to my heart so lone
In the light of early dawn with my banjo on my arm
I awake her from her slumber with this song
Chorus
Good morning Carrie, how you do this morning
Was you dreaming ‘bout me my pretty maid
Say look here Carrie, when we gwine to marry
Long spring time honey, good morning babe
- There’s dusky suiters plenty
That would take my Carrie from me
But she’s promised to be only mine
With tender songs of wooing
Like the turtle dove a cooing
They serenade my Caroline
We’ll be wedded soon thats certain
And some hearts will be a hurtin’
When budding leaves and flowers tell ‘tis spring
There’ll be no great display but on our wedding day
We’ll ask the folks around to kindly sing
Sung here by Fred Feild: