[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial language. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
a 1920 song about rolling dice
from the play: “Come Seven” by Octavus Roy Cohen
words by Al Bernard
music by Walter G. Haenschen
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. Old Bill Flat from New Orleans
From New Orleans
Was a high-toned gambling man
Down in New Orleans
He would take a pair of dice
And get down on the ground
He’d shoot a buck and then he’d sing
To the bunch that stood around
Chorus
Read ’em and weep (Huh!)
Look at that seven
Read ’em and weep (Huh!)
Look at that ‘leven
Please now bones don’t you hesitate
Come on sweet ace make six your mate
And let these men folks read ’em while they can
(Come on to Papa) (Come on for Mama)
Read ’em and weep (Huh!)
Look at that seven
Read ’em and weep (Huh!)
Look at that ‘leven
Stay off of Joe, Mistah Richard and Febe
I’ll make ’em Christians befo’ I leave
So, come on dice
And make ’em read ’em and weep
2. Old Bill Flat in New Orleans
In New Orleans
Loved his little game of dice
Down in New Orleans
He’d be playing day and night
And every time he’d throw
He’d do a fancy buck and wing
And just like a rooster crow
Sung here by Fred Feild: