Ida Sweet as Apple Cider

[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial language. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]

a minstrel stage love song from 1903
words and music by Eddie Leonard


The sheet music:


Accompaniment:


Lyrics

  1. In the region where the roses always bloom
    Breathing out upon the air their sweet perfume
    Lives a dusky maid I long to call my own
    For I know my love for her will never die
    When the sun am sinkin’ in dat golden West
    Little Robin Red Breast gone to seek their nests
    Then I sneak down to dat place I love the best
    Every ev’ning there alone I sigh

Chorus
Ida! sweet as apple cider, sweeter than all I know
Come out! in the silv’ry Moonlight
Of love we’ll whisper, so soft and low
Seems tho’ can’t live without you
Listen, Oh! Honey do!
Ida! I Idolize yer, I love you Ida, deed I do

  1. When the moon comes stealing up behind the hill
    Everything around me seems so calm and still
    Save the gentle calling of the Whippoorwill
    Then I long to hold her little hand in mine
    Thro’ the trees the winds are sighing soft and low
    Seem to come and whisper that your love is true
    Come and be my own now, Sweetheart do! oh do!
    Then my life will seem almost divine

Sung here by Fred Feild: