Louisville Lou

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

A 1923 popular song.
Words by Jack Yellen.
Music by Milton Ager.

The sheet music:

Louisville-Lou – Sheet MusicDownload

Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:

Louisville_Lou – MIDIDownload

Lyrics

  1. Folks, you’ve heard of scandalous vamps
    History is full of love makin’ champs
    But if you crave a brand new thrill
    Come and meet the vamp of Louisville
    She’s a gal who’s nobody’s fool
    Got a kiss that’s like the kick of a mule
    Until you’re vamped by this brunette
    Brother, you ain’t had no vampin’ yet

Chorus
They call the lady Louisville Lou
Oh, what that vampin’ baby can do
She is the most heart breakin’-est
Shimmy shakin’-est that the world every knew
She’s got the kind of lovin’ that holds ’em
Big, black eyes and she rolls ’em
Hot lips that are pips
And no more conscience than a snake has hips
And when she struts her feathers and plumes
The porters drop their mops and their brooms
You oughta see them trailin’ her inhalin’ her perfumes
And even Old Black Joes who are old and weak
Hang around and want to be her sheik
So brother, here’s my warnin’ to you
Keep far away from Louisville Lou

  1. Cullud gals, you’d better look out
    If you’ve got a man you’re crazy about
    ‘Cause he may be the best of men
    But he’s bound to weaken now and then
    Give him plenty lovin’ each night
    Don’t you ever leave him out of your sight
    ‘Cause if he meets this high brown doll
    Then you haven’t got a chance at all

Chorus
They call the lady Louisville Lou
Oh, what that vampin’ baby can do
She got the meanest pair o’ eyes
Theda Bara eyes that the world ever knew
She’s got a pretty form and she shows it
She’s some gal and she knows it
What pep! Does she step?
That’s what she don’t do nothin’ else excep’
And when she struts her feathers and plumes
The porters drop their mops and their brooms
You oughta see them trailin’ her inhalin’ her perfumes
And even Deacon Jones who is old and bent
Sold his crutches just to pay her rent
So brother, here’s my warnin’ to you
Keep far away from Louisville Lou

Sung here by Fred Feild: