[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A Quarrel in Ragtime, 1907
Words and music by Harry La Mertha
Arranged by Scott Joplin
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Brigham:
Lyrics
1. Samuel Sampson was a coon with a basso voice
He was kind and true
To a little dusky maiden that he made his choice
In nineteen-two
Ev’ry time they went to bed
There was a big uproar
For when it came to snoring
Sampson had the floor
One night this dusky lady
Was a feeling mighty sore
And this, she said to Samuel Sampson
Chorus
I tell you Mister Sampson
You must stop that snore
Or I’ll skidoo
I don’t like a foghorn
In the middle of the night
I’m a telling you
I tells you that I loves you and I hate to squeal
But, I information you this bed’s no automobile
Sampson, I’m a telling you
2. Samuel loved his wifey
And he said, I see I bothers you
So, honey when I wakes you
In the middle of the night
With a bass tatoo
Ev’ry time I elocutes that honk honk snore
Put your feet agin ma back
And shove me out on the floor
But, Matildah shouted louder
“No, I’ll just show you the door
Samuel Simpson Sampson
Sung here by Fred Feild: