The Song of the Contraband, 1861.
Words and music Benjamin R. Hanby.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. Oh yah! yah! darkies, laugh wid me
For de white folks say Ole Shady’s free
So, don’t you see dat de jubilee
Is a-coming, coming, Hail mighty day
Chorus
Den away, away, for I can’t wait any longer
Hooray, hooray, I’m going home
Den away, away, for I can’t wait any longer
Hooray, hooray, I’m going home
2. Oh Mass’ got scared and so did his lady
Dis chile breaks for Ole Uncle Aby
“Open de gates! out here’s old Shady
A-coming, coming”, Hail mighty day
3. Good bye Mass’ Jeff, good bye Mis’r Stephens
‘Scuse dis niggah for takin’ his leavins
‘Spect pretty soon you’ll hear Uncle Abram’s
Coming, coming, Hail mighty day
4. Good bye hard work wid never any pay
I’se a-gwine up North where the good folks say
Dat white wheat bread and a dollar a day
Are a-comin, comin, Hail mighty day
5. Oh I’ve got a wife, and I’ve got a baby
Living up yonder in Lower Canady
Won’t dey laugh when dey see Ole Shady
Coming, coming, Hail mighty day