[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial language. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
Got to cool my puppies now
a 1922 peppy dance song
words and music by Bob Schafer, Babe Thompson and Spencer Williams
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
Sally Lee a raggy stepper, Sweet baby
Some cayenne pepper down at a darktown dance
Doin’ a Cootie Crawl Prance
When the band commenced to bluin’ Sally’s dogs
Commenced to doin’ funny tricks around the hall
Say Bo’ she had ’em that’s all
And when the band would stop
Miss Sally Lee would hop
Up to the leader man and say, “Don’t chop it
Chorus
“When I hear a jazz tune full of pep
Got to shoot my Nelson that’s my ‘rep’
Struttin’ like a peacock when I step
Hot dog baby, ain’t no maybe
When my doggies start in acting rough
That’s the time I want to do my stuff
I commence to prance just like a monkey
When you play a rag that’s Honkey Tonkey
‘Cause I’m a dancin’ I vow
Got to cool my puppies now, Bow-wow!
Got to cool my doggies now”
Patter
“When my doggies start to bark
Got to let ’em syncopate
Ain’t no use to let ’em park
Got no time to hesitate
Stand aside and let me pass
Eenie, meenie minie mo
Gonna show you folks some class
Jazz ’em up and let ’em go”
Sung here by Fred Feild: