[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular song from the early minstrels
Published by G. Willig, Jr., 1837
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by Benjamin R. Tubb:
Lyrics
1. As I walked out by de light ob de moon
So merrily singing dis same tune
I cum across a big racoon
A sittin’ on a rail
Sittin’ on a rail, sittin on a rail
Sittin’ on a rail, sleepin werry sound
2. I at de Racoon take a peep
An den so softly to him creep
I foun de Racoon fast asleep
An pull him off de rail (repeat)
An fling him on de ground
3. De Racoon gan to scratch and bite
I hit him once wid all my might
I bung he eye an spile he sight
O I’m dat child to fight (repeat)
An beat de banjo too
4. I tell de Racoon gin to pray
While on de ground de Racoon lay
But he jump up and run away
An soon he out ob sight (repeat)
Sittin on a rail
5. My ole Massa dead an gone
A dose ob poison help him on
De Debil say he funeral song
Oh bress him let him go (repeat)
An joy go wid him too
6. De Racoon hunt do werry quare
Am no touch to kill de deer
BeCase you kotch him wid out fear
Sittin on a rail (repeat)
Sleepin werry sound
7. Ob all de songs dat eber I sung
De Racoon hunt’s de greatest one
It always pleases old and young
And den dey cry encore (repeat)
An den I cum agin
Sung here by Fred Feild: