[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular song from 1899
Words by Elmer Bowman
Music by Al Johns
Arranged by W. H. Tyers
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- There’s coons ’round town
They ain’t hard to find
Would rather have a poke chop
Than have their right mind
But I likes my chicken
And I like ’em fried
I like ’em so well I have ’em magnified
When I heave in sight a chicken watches the time
‘Cause He’s got to jump his troubles
From this earth resign
At the table I’ll take his photo
And read his pedigree
Then a lithograph is taken
Of that chicken and me
Chorus:
I’ve got chicken on the brain
When I have chicken I never complain
A poke chop is nice for a morning smile
But chicken’s got ’em bested in every style
Chicken chop suey certainly is a treat
Chicken is the only thing for me to eat
Even in my dreams, it always seems
I’ve got chicken on the brain
- I’m worried to death ’bout a chicken’s life
I think more of a chicken than a man could his wife
‘Cause I was born south of Mason Dixon line
And a many poor chicken I have knocked stone blind
I dreamt last night I had a chicken’s ideas
And every coon I seen I began to shed tears
When I woke up, I was glad to say
I hadn’t been a chicken, but was feeling that way