[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
the song that made the king laugh, 1904
words and music by Alex Rogers
The sheet music:
Accompaniment:
Lyrics
1. I wonder why dat everybody always chooses me
To sell things to and tell things to and give me sympathy
You’ve heard what they hand farmer folks
Well that ain’t one, two, three
With the fish-tales and the gold bricks that they try to hand to me
Chorus
Well, I may be crazy, but I ain’t no fool
One and one always makes two is what I learnt in school
‘Cause I have known for many a year
That you must not b’lieve all that you hear
Well, I may be crazy, but I ain’t no fool
2. Now, me and a man once had a fuss and was to fight a duel
They first said “swords” but I cried
“No, I’m too good t’would be cruel
I think that pistols will be best”
His seconds said, “They will”
Oh, yes, revolvers will just wuit our friend there, “Buffalo Bill”
Chorus
Well, I may be crazy, but I ain’t no fool
I read all ’bout “Buff’lo Bill” when I was goin’ to school
There’s one thing that’s a certainty
He’ll make no target out of me
Well, I may be crazy, but there was no duel
3. I fell in love once with a girl, to her my heart was true
I had a rival and he swore that he loved Lula, too
So, Lu she ‘vised us both to jump off Brooklyn Bridge next day
And the one that got back to her first, she’d marry right away
Chorus
Well, I may be crazy, but I ain’t no fool
Three and three always makes six, is what I learnt in school
My rival said “yes” an’ grabbed his hat
But I could never love like that
Well, I may be crazy, but I ain’t no fish
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Sung here by Fred Feild: