[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular song from 1909.
Words and music by Bert Noble.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
There was a coon in Tennessee
Who was as lazy as he could be
And the hardest work he’d do
Was when at meals
When he was asked how He got by
Said with a twinkle in his eye
“Indigestion is the only thing I feels
I never under sleep
In fact I always seem to oversleep
And when the moon does peep
Out from my bed I creep
And hunt for bread and meat
Oh what a lazy life
I’m awful glad I got a healthy wife
One that can wash for me
Cook squash for me and say”
Chorus
“Hannibal, cannibal, Hannibal
You’re a carnivorous animal
Living on honey, never got money
Dodging the sunbeams all day
But if you ever should lose your pull
You’ll find the diff’rence ‘tween empty and full
But if you ever slip
You surely have to eat your liver lip
Oh my! my Hannibal, you cannibal, beware
2. A fortune teller came that way
And told that coon to never stray
For if he did, he’d surely whistle
“Home sweet home”
Alas for this poor foolish lad
He got a feeling mighty bad
That around this hemisphere
He’d have to roam
Alas! his foolish mind
No ham and egg trees did he ever find
There was no turkey rare
Not even bones to spare
Oh how that coon did fare
And since he’s walked the track
A reg’lar ham has grown upon his back
And when he wanders in
Chuck full of gin, he’ll hear