Stewin’ De Rice

[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]

A popular song from 1918
Words and music by Perry Bradford


The sheet music:


Lyrics

  1. They got a funny dance down in New Orleans
    That they do all night long
    This is the funn’est dance you have ever seen
    That they do all night long
    It would make a tadpole hug a whale
    Make a monkey take his hat off with his tail
    Knock-kneed Dan is sure to shout
    When he calls the figures out “Let’s go”

Chorus
All you Darkies swing I say
Sully long and put on the “Bamba Shay”
Do the Louisville twist and the Georgia Grind
And the seven year itch and the Mobile twine
Now buzz up to your baby like a bumble bee
Scratch the gravel with plenty of spice
Then you done that dance called Stewin’ de Rice
Gee! it’s nice

  1. To see them do this dance
    You would crack your side
    They do it all night long
    See them shin-ne sho-wabble, and the as glide
    That they do all night long
    Make a preacher lay his Bible down
    Make a pop-eyed rabbit shake hand with a hound
    Slur foot Dan will be on hand
    And he calls them figures grand “Look out”