[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular song from 1899
Words by Will A. Heelan
Music by Harry Von Tilzer
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. A gal I knew, a nice gal too
‘Till someone told her she knew how to act
Then that baby blew ev’ry solitary sou
Chasin’ roun’ to cheap theatres, that’s a fact
At last she got acquainted with an actor who
Was painted like a darky in de show
And she followed him around’
Till the night they quit de town
Then she said, “Please take me with you
When you go” For
Chorus
I’d leave ma happy home for you, oo, oo, oo, oo
You’re de nicest man I ever knew, oo, oo, oo, oo
If you take me, and just break me in de bus’ness too, oo
I’d leave ma happy home for you, oo, oo, oo, oo
2. He said he’d shake de show
And take that lady with a comp’ny of his own
But he packed his grip and he took a quiet trip
And he left that little baby all alone
He tried his best to skip her
But she used to buy de Clipper
What de actor’s news was in
When she found out where he went
Ev’ry day a note she sent
This is just how ev’ry letter would begin, Well
Sung here by Fred Feild: