[DISCLAIMER: This song contains antiquated racial language. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A 1904 popular song
Words and music by Walter Wilson
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. Listen now white folks, while I tell to you
Coons without a habit are mighty few
Some have a habit of dressing neat
While my bad habit is to sleep and eat
I’m telling all you coons that you will all be dead
If you don’t stop halin’ cigarettes up in your head
There’s two habits I have barred
They are fightin’ bout my gal and working hard
Chorus
Well that is a habit I never had
That kind of habit is mighty bad
I’m telling you coons now I’m mighty glad
That kind of habit I never had
2. Tell you how a habit got a friend of mine
Who owned a half interest in a silver mine
He got married, then his downfall came
In about six month he’d sold his claim
Now his money’s all gone and she throwed him down
He’s the raggedest coon that’s in this town
It serves him right, for he ruined his life
He had the foolish habit giving money to his wife
3. I never worked a day since I was born
I never had to get up early in the morn
Always had my meals brought to my bed
An easier life a coon never led
My wife says to me, “You big black Turk”
You’ll have to get out of here and get some work”
I looked at her, I shook my head
With a comfortable smile to her I said
Sung here by Fred Feild: