[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular song from 1927
words by Billy Rose
music by Maceo Pinkard
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by Denese Coulbeck:
Lyrics
- On the Mississippi fifty years ago
Once a year the folks would get to see a show
Minstrel shows were given on a boat
Up and down the river they would float
And on the day the boat was due
The darkies all turned out
All along the levee they would shout
Chorus
Here comes the Show Boat
Here comes the Show Boat
Puff, Puff, Puff, Puff
Puff, Puff, Puffin’ along
Mammy and Pappy are feelin’ happy
Shuff, Shuff, Shuff, Shuff
Shuff, Shuff, Shufflin’ along
Each little Choc’late Bon, Bon
Bon, Bon Buddy’s in right
They’re playin’ Uncle Tom, Tom
Tom, Tom’s Cabin tonight
Here comes the Show Boat
Here comes the Show Boat
Puff, Puff, Puff, Puff
Puff, Puff, Puffin’ along
- Gone forever are the cotton blossom days
Gone forever are the good old cornfed plays
If you want to see the “Follies” now
Ticket speculators show you how
Oh! how I long to see a muddy water minstrel show
And to hear the jokes of Old Black Joe