Jus’ a-Listen

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

Plantation Song a la coon, 1894
Words by W. R. Kaharl
Music by B. M. Davision.

[Source: Detroit Public Library,
The Hackley Collection;
Digital ID: dpl-hac-11055.dc
OCLC Record ID: 50618895]

Accompaniment by Benjamin R. Tubb:

Jus’ a-Listen – MIDIDownload

Lyrics

  1. De odder night I went to a walk
    Jus’ a-listen to dis coon.
    Dere was plenty of fun and plenty of talk,
    Come an’ listen to dis coon.
    Dere was one gal dar tho’t she was divine
    Dressed up to kill, how she did shine
    But I had dat walk down a little too fine,
    Jus’ yer listen to dis coon.

Chorus:
Jus’ a-listen, come an’ listen,
For Ise gwine away right soon
Not all de tricks dey make
Could keep me from dat cake
Jus’ yer listen to dis coon.

  1. We circled roun’, my hon’ an’ I
    Jus’ a-listen to dis coon.
    De way she cut up would a made you die,
    Come an’ listen to dis coon.
    When de judge dun gib dat big cake to me
    Dere was mo’ fun dan you eber see
    But it wan’t no use for to foolwid me,
    Jus’ yer listen to dis coon