From the show “A Coondom Throw-down”, 1896.
Words and music by Paul West.
The sheet music:
I Want Dem Presents Back – Sheet Music
Lyrics
1. My gal Tildy she’s gone shook me
Shook me good and smart
She done say she’d be mah wife
But she give me de marble heart
She skipped out wif a low down nigger
Ain’t got alf mah stack
She kin go whar she’s a mind to
Fer I don’t care whar she gwine ter
But I want my presents back, O!
Chorus
I want dat bran’ new cook stove
I want dat cha’r
I want dat lookin’ glass
De comb, to comb my ha’r
I want dat carpet, yes sir
Won’t git it? Wal I guess, sir!
Carve me! An’ starve me
I want dem presents back
2. Ise a coon what does t’ings pretty
So I says ter Til’
Buy de best in all de city
An’ I’ll blow myself I will
Got a flat in de upper coondom
Reckless dat’s a fac’
So I squandered all my money
On de furniture but Honey
Now I want dem presents back, O!
3. Saw her once wid dat low nigger
In a bran new suit o’ clothes
She pawned de stove to buy dat ring
And dat ain’t all my woes
Hocked de carpet ter buy him shoes
Clean shirt for his back
But ter show dat I ain’t wicked
I’ll jes square it fer de ticket
Fer ter git dem presents back, O!