[WARNING: racial stereotypes. Original is being presented as part of music history.]
a 1901 popular song
words and music by Shepard N. Edmonds
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The sheet music:
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Accompaniment:
Lyrics
1. Now there’s a coon down in Tennessee
Who is as quaint as he can be
He never b’lieves in ‘tendin’ church
Nor goin’ to Sunday school
So all the people for him prayed
And all the good things ’bout him said
But he believed in superstition as a rule
He believed in social strife
And hav’n a good time all his life
And to be so wicked he seemed not afraid
They knew he couldn’t live very long
So when they asked him to reform
He nearly broke dat congregation when he said
Chorus
I’m goin’ to live anyhow, till I die
I knows ma’ kind of a life ain’t very high
With sticks and stones a you can break a ma bones
You may talk all you want to ’bout me when I’m gone
But I’m goin’ to live anyhow, till I die
2. When he’d decided to reform
He started off to church one morn
And he was togged up in his best
And out on goodness bent
He thought he’d be a real good coon
And be a Blackville Deacon soon
But much to his surprise they had an accident
You see the choir refused to sing
Because the church bell wouldn’t ring
Then this coon became suspicious and afraid
He says, “The good folks I can’t see
If dat’s religion, excuse me”
And as he left, these are the words
They heard him say
Chorus
I’m goin’ to live anyhow till I die
I knows ma’ kind of a life ain’t very high
Now it’s a fact and it is often said
That when you die you are a long time dead
But I’m goin’ to live anyhow, till I die
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Sung here by Fred Feild: