[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
From Sweeny’s Virginia Melodies, 1840.
Words and music by Joel Walker Sweeny.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by Benjamin R. Tubb:
Lyrics
1. Way down in ole Virginny
Dar I hear de fiddle ring
All de time dis nigger Jo
Play upon de Banjo String,
I got up in de morning
I go to de kitchen
To get a chunck ob fire
For to go a fishing.
2. My mamma was a wolf
My daddy was a tiger
I am what you call
De Ole Virginny Nigger
Half fire half smoke
A little touch of thunder
I am what you call
De eighth wonder.
3. I got up in de morning
Bout broke ob day
I went to de riber
My canoe gone away
When I got to de riber
De riber rader wide
I look ober yonder
My canoe on toder side.
4. Last saturday night
De nigger went a hunting
De dog run de wooler
And de wooler run de tiger
De tiger run de stiff neck
Stiff nect run de debil
And dey all run together
[Spoken](And de nigger run rite arter em)
5. I went to de mill
For to see de miller
Says I Ole Mr Miller
Aint you got a chor tobacco
De miller had three dogs
One de name was Jowler
De oder ole Ranger
And de oder ole (Hard Times.)