[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial language. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular song from 1922.
Words by Edgar Leslie.
Music by Walter Donaldson.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- I was born where Virginia roses
Smile up to the skies
Where the blue birds in the trees
Sing woodland melodies
I was raised where the mammies win ‘ya’
With their lullabies
And the old place seems to fill my dreams
Ev’ry time I close my eyes
Chorus
When the moon shines on the ‘gin, ‘gin, ‘ginny shore
Those sweet Virginia lovers croon
An old Virginia tune
In the shelter of the syc, syc, sycamore
I want to say ‘hello’ to the old trio
Mammy Jinny, Aunt Jemima, Old Black Joe
And they all hang ’round the cab, cab, cabin door
That’s just the kind of life I’m longing for
Banjoes strummin’, darkies hummin’ ‘Mammy’
When the moon shines on the ‘gin, ‘gin,’ ginny shore
2.When I look at an ocean liner
Steaming down the coast
I have one thought in my mind
I want to hitch behind
When I think of my old aunt Dinah’s
Gin, gin, ginger toast
If I’ve got no fare to bring me there
I can go by parcel post
Patter
Gin in the bottle when I’m alone
Gin in the engine that brings me home
Gin in my mammy Jinny’s ginger cake
Enough left over for a tummy ache
A nice gin rickey tastes so sweet
Just makes you want to strut your feet
‘Way back in sixty-four
They all got ginned on the ‘ginny shore
And they…
Sung here by Fred Feild: