[DISCLAIMER: This song contains antiquated racial language. It is presented here for historical and educational purpose only.]
A 1900 popular song
Words by Walter Daniels
Music by R. P. Lilly
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. Dick Davis ran a barber shop
The swellest in the town
And shaved the aristocracy
For many miles around
He had ten men all hustling
And working round the place
While money kept a-coming in
From scraping ev’ry face
But on one cloudy afternoon
His help went on a strike
Said they, Dick, where’s our wages
Why don’t you treat us right?
We’ve been a-working for you
Yes very near a year
You say you have no money Dick
Where did it disappear
Chorus
Why boys, my money goes to dress my baby
I buy her ev’rything to keep her in style
She’s worth her weight in gold, this colored lady
So boys, that’s where my money goes
2. Now Dick, he is a worried man
The barbers want his life
They just found where his money goes
He spends it on his wife
The other day a dead swell girl
Came down the thoroughfare
Which made a lot of sporty coons
All tip their hats and stare
Just then Dick Davis walked around
As proud as he could be
And to them sporty niggers
Said “She belongs to me”
I bought that hat and diamonds
And also all them clothes
But now she’s gone a shopping
So that’s where my money goes
Sung here by Fred Feild: