[Disclaimer: These lyrics are racially prejudiced and unacceptable. They are being presented here in original form for educational and history purposes.]
a 1871 popular song
words and music by Will S. Hays
A wonderful and sad minstrel song. This melody is also used for the song Little Joe the Wrangler.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by Benjamin R. Tubb:
Lyrics
- I’m getting old and feeble now
I cannot work no more
I’ve laid de rusty bladed hoe to rest
Ole massa an’ ole miss’s am dead
dey’re sleepin’ side by side
Deir spirits now are roaming wid de blest
De scene am changed about de place
de darkies are all gone
I’ll neber hear dem singin in the cane
And I’se de only one dat’s left
wid dis ole dog ob mine
In de little old log cabin in de lane
Chorus
De chimney’s falling down
And de roof is cavin’ in
I aint got long round her to remain,
But de angels watches over me
When I lays down to sleep
In de little old log cabin in de lane
2. Dar was a happy time to me
‘Twas many years ago
When de darkies used to gather round de door
When dey used to dance an’ sing at night
I played de ole banjo
But alas, I cannot play it anymore
De hinges dey got rusted
An’ de door has tumbled down
And de roof lets in de sunshine an’ de rain
An’ de only friend I’ve got now
Is dis good ole dog ob mine
In de little old log cabin in de lane
3. De footpath now is coverd o’er
Dat led us round de hill
And de fences all are going to decay
An’ de creek is all dried up
where we used to go to mill
De time has turned its course an-od-der way
But I aint got long to stay here
And what little time I got
I’ll try and be content-ed to remain
Till death shall call my dog an’ me
To find a better home
Dan dat little old log cabin in de lane
Sung here by Fred Feild: