[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
Words by W. H. Delehanty
Music by E. N. Catlin
The sheet music:
Lyrics
- Oh! I’m a happy Hottentot
Happy, happy, happy, Hottentot
And its from Africa I came
That’s where I got my name
I used to gather Buchu leaves
Buchu, Buchu, gather Buchu leaves
And there Massa Helmbold came
He paid us for the same
Chorus
That is what I used to do
While I gather sweet Buchu
I’m a happy Hottentot
Happy, happy, happy, Hottentot
And its from Africa I came
That’s where we got our name
- It’s every day when work is done
Daily every day when work is done
We get together just for fun
Just for to have some fun
We dance and sing the whole day long
Dancing, singing, sing the whole night thro’
In the morning pick the sweet Buchu
We pick the sweet Buchu