[Warning: Derogatory racial terms. No hatred is intended.
This song is presented with its original lyrics as a part of music history.]
A 1910 popular song
Words by Cecil Mack and Lew Brown.
Music by Ford Dabney.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by Denese Coulbeck:
Lyrics
1. When I was born they christened me
Plain Samuel Johnson Brown
But I hadn’t grown so very big
‘Fore some folks in this town
Had changed it ’round to “Sambo”
I was “Rastus” to a few
Then “Chocolate Drop” was added
By some others that I knew
And then to cap the climax
I was strolling down the line
When someone shouted, “Fellas, hey!
Come on and pipe the shine!”
But I don’t care a bit
Here’s how I figure it
Chorus
‘Cause my hair is curly
‘Cause my teeth are pearly
Just because I always wear a smile
Like to dress up in the latest style
‘Cause I’m glad I’m living
Take troubles smiling, never whine
Just because my color’s shady
Slightly different maybe
That’s why they call me Shine
2. A rose they say by any other name
Would smell as sweet
So, if that’s right why should a nickname
Take me off my feet
Why everything that’s precious
From a gold piece to a dime
And diamonds, pearls, and rubies
Ain’t no good unless they shine
So when these clever people
Call me shine or coon or smoke
I simply smile then smile some more
And vote them all a joke
I’m thinking just the same
What is there in a name
Sung here by Fred Feild: