[Disclaimer: the racially charged words and topics in this song are from another time period. These are not approved of by Sheet Music Singer. They are presented as part of music history.]
a 1903 popular song
words by Harry Williams
music by Egbert Van Alstyne
This strange ballad invokes stereotypes of both Native Americans and African-Americans. The sound of this arrangement has a some resemblance to real native music. It was also published as an instrumental.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment:
Lyrics
1. Down on the sand hills of New Mexico
There lives an Indian maid
She’s of the tribe they call the Navajo
Face of a copper shade
And ev’ry evening there was a coon
Who came his love to plead
There by the silv’ry light of the moon
He’d help her string her beads
And when they were all alone
To her he would softly crone
Chorus
Nava, Nava, my Navajo
I have a love for you that will grow
If you’ll have a coon for a beau
I’ll have a Navajo
2. This Indian maiden told the colored man
She wanted lots to wear
Laces and blankets and a powder can
Jewels and pipestone rare
You bring me feathers dear from the store
He answered have no fear
I’ll bring you feathers babe by the score
If there are chickens near
With joy then the maiden sighed
When to her once more he cried
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Sung here by Fred Feild: