[Warning: contains the N-word. Original presented as music history.]
A popular song from 1875
Words by Edward Harrigan
Music by William Carter
Arranged by Dave Braham
The sheet music:
Lyrics
1. We represent de members of
De noble colored troops
Who march about de streets of York
In French imperial suits
Black pantaloons and yaller stripes
And helmets trimmed with blue
De wenches shout when we turn out
On South Fifth Avenue
Chorus:
Nobby, airy, light as a fairy
Music playing sweet and gay
Hats a-waving, we’re parading
Marching down Broadway. Umph
Talk about your Mulligan Guard
Dese nigs dey can’t be beat
We march to time, we cut a shine
Just watch dese darkies’ feet
De left foot first, de right foot follow
De heel down mighty hard
Ten platoons of dandy coons
March in the Skidmore Guard
2. Dar’s Mister Brown, de waiter man
To de Astor House hotel
He’s sargent in de second Brigade
Division Company L
He’s six foot high, he carried de flag
So noble, proud and gay
He took de prize for marching out
On ‘Mancipation day
3. Dar’s Adjutant General Lem Primrose
And Parson Simpson’s son
De envy of de yaller gals
With boquets on der guns
Dey look just like a circus horse
When de band’s a-playing loud
For elegant style and sweet hair ile
Dem darkies lead de crowd
4. We never hire a German band
Italians carry a can
Of lemonade dat’s fresh and sweet
For every colored man
Dey follow up de Regiment
Mackrony in de rear
And when dey get obstropulous
We bounce dem on dar ear
Sung here by Fred Feild