Let It Alone

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

Stay out of other people’s business, 1906
words by Alex Rogers
music by Bert A. Williams

This is minstrel show comedy. Advice about giving advice: don’t do it. The composer, Bert Williams, was also the performer and recording star. He is the one pictured on the cover. If you want more there are extra verses and choruses on the last page of the sheet music.

The sheet music:

Let-It-Alone – Sheet MusicDownload

Lyrics

  1. In goin’ through this pig iron world
    It’s sometimes asked of you
    To give advice at certain times
    And tell folks what to do
    Now at these times I’m goin’ to tell
    You what’s the wisest plan
    When it comes to mixin’ in wid things
    You don’t jes’ understan’

Chorus
Let it alone, let it alone
If it don’t concern you, let it alone
Don’t go four flushin’ an’ puttin’ on airs
And dippin’ into other folks affairs
If you don’t know, say so!
Mind your own bus’ness and let it alone

  1. Suppose that luck’s against you, and
    While on your weary way
    Along some side street you should see
    A drunken man, we’ll say
    He’s layin’ in the gutter
    You can see that he’s all in
    An’ on his bosom calmly gleams
    A great big diamond pin

Chorus
Let it alone, let it alone
It ain’t you’rn pally so, let it alone
The man is drunk, that may be true
But the diamond don’t belong to you
So shut your eyes and heave some sighs
Turn ’round an’ beat it and let it alone

Sung here by Fred Feild: