[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
a 1900 minstrel ballad with music by the composer of Bill Bailey (1902)
words by John Queen
music by Hughie Cannon
Queen and Cannon were traveling minstrel performers who were very active at this time. They always went to New York City to publish their new songs. This one is a minstrel song about minstrel singers like they were.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment:
Lyrics
1. A black man in a minstrel show
Was sitting on the end
A nice black gal in the very front row
With heaps of dough to spend
Looked up at him with a silly smile
He started singing his end song
Forgot most every line
The manager hurried back and said
“You’ve got to stand a fine”
He lost his job for quite a while
Chorus
Just because she made them goo-goo eyes
I thought I’d won a home and copped a prize
She is the best what is and I need her in my biz
Just because she makes them goo-goo eyes
2. This minstrel man washed up right quick
And meets her at the door
Tips his hat, says “How do you do
I’m with this troupe no more
It was for you I paid no fine
I wants to ask one question now
Please let me call you ‘dear’
It cost a lot to gain a rep
But I’ll blow the road right here
If you’ll be mine, if you’ll be mine”
Chorus
Just because you makes them goo-goo eyes
I know I’ve won a home and copped a prize
You is the best what is and I wants you in my biz
Just because you makes them goo-goo eyes
3. Next morning when the troupe had left
This baby throwed him down
She said to him, “I’ll have you ‘pinched’
If you stay in this town”
Oh, listen to this tale of woe
He said, “I’ll send a telespatch
To try and join the show
What can I do in this strange land
Can’t eat without no dough
So here I am out in the snow”
Chorus
Just because she made them goo-goo eyes
I thought I had a home and copped a prize
She was the best what is
But drove me right back in the biz
Just because she made them goo-goo eyes
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Sung here by Fred Feild: