[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular song from 1898
Words by Andrew B. Sterling
Music by Harry Von Tilzer
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- I received an invitation
To attend de celebration
Of a cakewalk at Thompson’s Hall
All the Darktown swells and babies
Will they congregate? well, maybe
Dey’ll assemble, yes, one and all
Every coon thinks he’ll be in it
But ma babe and I will win it
When they see us dose coons will shake
When de music starts a-raggin’
We will show you without braggin’
How us coons will win dat cake
Chorus
First you pick de yaller gal
Dat you love the most
Bombashay right down de hall
Den you bow to your host
You wheel right around
Den you do de rag
Down de hall with de “Merican flag”
You’re ‘lowed to breathe
But don’t you dare to talk
Gaze into your baby’s face, make googie eyes
Then you get three kisses if you win de prize
Shoot de chutes, then you all prominade
Possummala for some beer or lemonade
When you’re down at
Rastus Thompson’s rag-time cakewalk
- You will see them leave der places
When dey see our smilin’ faces
As we glide out upon de floor
Den der look of expectation
It will change to consternation
And dey’ll all vamp out thro’ the door
For dere ain’t no use of talkin’
When it comes right down to walkin’
We’re de real things, ma babe and I
Of that ragtime jubilation
We will give an imitation
We will win that cake or die