[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A coon insult from 1898
Words and music by Ernest Hogan
The sheet music:
Lyrics
1. I’ve been stuck on a yaller gal for lo! these many moons
She’s just as handsome as can be
In fact, she’s captivated all the rest the coons
I’d give this world if she would marry me
I tried my best to win her hand for many many days
I changed my clothes most every day you see
But when I tho’t I had her dead
‘Twas then she threw me down
These were the words she said to me
Chorus:
“I don’t like that face you wear
The big, broad nose and kinky hair
Your clothes they’re right may be out of sight
But I don’t think that you’re there, there, there
I like a man with curly hair
A railroad porter with his skin so fair
So that’s the reason why you’ll have to brush by
With that face you wear”
2. I buys myself some mucilage and I straighten out my hair
I kalsomines my dusky face you see
I go and calls upon my girl and at me she did stare
But ‘pon my soul it filled my heart with glee
I made myself familiar, soon our lips began to smack
Then I made a grave mistake you see
For this preparation on my face it did commence to crack
With a steady look she then said to me