[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
Liza Skinner (de Cake-Walk Winner)
A popular song from 1899
Words and music by N. H. Moray
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. I’se got de swellest gal
Huh name is ‘Lize
And she’s got dem great big
Rollin’, dreamy eyes
When she talks she makes you feel
Dat dere’s sumthin’ ’bout her real
Dere ain’t nothin’ ’bout dat gal
Da’s mean or sly
All de wenches dey dun try to throw her down
‘Coz dey’s jealous ob huh clo’s and great renown
It cert’nly am a treat
To watch huh shake huh feet
She’s de swellest coon in town
“Dat ain’t no lie”
Chorus
Talk of yuh cakewalk winners
Dere’s none like Liza Skinner
She’s right in it all along de line
She’s mah wahm baby, mistah
She knocks dem all a twistah
She’s all mine, will I guess yess
“Sure thing”
You’ve all heard of Henrietta
Doris and Isabella
They’re not in it with dis crush of mine
Foh she’s de ‘riginator
All those are imitators
She wins de cake-walk ev’ry time
2. Dere was a big gran’ ball de othah night
And de coons was dancin’ round wid great delight
Till dey heard dat she was dere
Den dere wuz a gen’ral scare
Foh de clo’s she wore just took away dere bref
When ‘Liza come a-sailin’ troo de do’
Such gorgeousness dey’d nevah seen befo’
Yuh could hear de coons all say
In laguage ’bout dis way
“She’s got the othah wenches skinned to death”
Sung here by Fred Feild: