[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial language. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular song from 1897.
Words by A. F. Dannic.
Music by T. Mayo Geary.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. Well of all the coons you’ve heard about
There’s no other one like me
To the black Four Hundred
I belong the swell society
I done come from Alabama
Just to win a little prize
And I’ll surely be a winner
If there’s full moon in the skies
There is gone to be a cakewalk
And I’ve brought my colored queen
When on the floor you’ll hear the roar
“Oh! my ain’t she a dream”
But when I do my possum dance
I’ll put those niggers in a trance
For I’m the warmest member in the land, Oh!
Refrain
I’m the warmest member in the land
Ev’ry coon in coontown thinks I’m grand
I’ve always got the money
And I blows it on my honey
For I’m the warmest member in the land
2. I shall lead that great procession
Of the colored swell’s that night
And with my baby on my arm
I’ll look just out of sight
For big Sam Blake will want the cake
He’s clever at the game
But I’ll walk just like a major
And I’ll get it just the same
I am known all over town to be
The famous colored dude
My clothes are always up to date
My manners never rude
My father has all kinds of coons
And I’m the one who makes it burn
For I’m the warmest member in the land, Oh!