[Disclaimer: These song lyrics contain racial terms. The song is presented in original form as part of musical history.]
comic song and dance, or walk round, 1869
words by Billy Reeves
music by Frank Campbell
arranged by Rollin Howard
Originally this was written by T. Brigham Bishop, who was in charge of a company of black soldiers during the Civil War. He heard some of his men using some of the expressions in the song. He strung them together to form these lyrics. From Popular Song of Nineteenth Century America: “Bishop was in charge of a company of Negro soldiers during the Civil War.” He heard some of his men using some of the expressions in the song. He strung them together to form these lyrics. Sigmund Spaeth calls Shew Fly the most popular nonsense song of the Civil War. By 1869 it was being sung and danced by every minstrel company and variety show going. Many editions of it still exist.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by Werner Tomaschewski:
Lyrics
1. I think I hear the angels sing
I think I hear the angels sing
I think I hear the angels sing
The angels now are on the wing
I feel, I feel, I feel, that’s what my mother said
The angels pouring ’lasses down
Upon this nigger’s head
Chorus
Shew! fly, don’t bother me
Shew! fly, don’t bother me
Shew! fly, don’t bother me
I belong to comp’ny G
I feel, I feel, I feel, I feel like a morning star
I feel, I feel, I feel, I feel like a morning star
I feel, I feel, I feel, I feel like a morning star
I feel, I feel, I feel, I feel like a morning star
2. If I sleep in the sun this nigger knows
If I sleep in the sun this nigger knows
If I sleep in the sun this nigger knows
A fly come sting him on the nose
I feel, I feel, I feel, that’s what my mother said
When ever this nigger goes to sleep
He must cover up his head
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Sung here by Fred Feild: