A 1904 popular song. Words and music by Chris Smith and John Larkins.
Lyrics
1. Deacon Johnson was a preachin’ to his flock
At a big camp meetin’ one day
At a big camp meetin’ one day
When a brother who was sittin’ list’nin’ to his text
Got angry and was forced to say
Got angry and was forced to say
Brudder! how can you preach and expect to teach
These folks how to be good?
When I saw you dis morn’ bout two
Right in my chicken coop?
And any time a thief is round
My dogs commence to howl
I caught you fair, but you declared
You came to buy a fowl
Chorus
Jasper Johnson shame on you!
You can’t preach and rob me too!
You might fool me now and then
But you don’t buy fowl at to A.M.
I know what I’m talking about
And I wants the people here to find you out
So they can all stand up and shout
Shame on you!
2. Deacon Johnson tried his best to square himself
Fore the congregation that day
Fore the congregation that day
He was gettin’ awful angry when he loudly said
Bout me you should not talk that way
Bout me you should not talk that way
Brudder! please don’t abuse
Or ever accuse a full-fledged Christian man
I am the deacon of this church
And one true son of Ham
The Good Book says: Thou shalt not steal!’
With me you’ll all agree
As I passed by that brother’s house
That chicken followed me
Sheet music found at University of Mississippi:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Demo sung by Fred Feild: