[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A 1903 popular song about a smart lady
Words by J. W. Johnson
Music by Bob Cole
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. In Afric’s sunny land
Beyond the desert’s sand
There lived a maid, I’ve heard it said
In a place called Timbuctoo
Bold chieftains by the score
Would come for miles or more
Arrayed in beads and pumpkin seeds
This little maid to woo
Chorus
The maid of Timbuctoo
She knew just what to do
When suitors came to woo
Her for her hand
She shyly drooped her eyes
And heaved a sea of sighs
Yet she was very wise
You understand
2. She was uncivilized
Yet you’d have been surprised
If you had seen that maiden green
Taking in those Zulu guys
She relieved them of their rings
Their beads and other things
In such a way, I dare to say
They never did get wise
3. Whene’er some chieftain fine
Invited her to dine
She shook her head and shyly said
“That to eat she did not care”
But yet she’d sit and munch
Bananas by the bunch
And make them bring her ev’rything
On a Zulu bill of fare
Sung here by Fred Feild: