[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular song from 1912
Words by Ferd E. Mierisch
Music by John B. Lowitz
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- Just hear dem darkies shout
What makes ’em holler out
Why it’s a steamboat down the stream
Across the cotton fields
You hear the paddle wheels
And me, oh my, don’t dem whistles scream
There’s someone playin’ low
And it’s a tune I know
My dear old Mammy loved to croon
Those darkies go crazy when they start to dance
That wonderful Swanee River tune
Chorus
When all dem coons start dancin’
Way down South in the land of cotton
Swayin’ to that lovin’ tune of Swanee River
They float like a boat on a silvery stream
Each little pick with his Ebony queen
They Swing, Swing, watch ’em pigeon wing
And do the Double Shuffle
Oh, you colored Fluffy Ruffle
Just hear dem banjos hummin
That’s one melody that keeps ’em trottin’
Up to the very end
See dat nigger do a funny funny figure
You forget about your Ole Kentucky Home
When you’re doin’ that Swanee River Bend
In Georgia, when you do
When you do that Swanee River Bend
- It’s mighty hard to learn
But when you get that turn
You have a dance that sure am rare
If you could only see that colored Jubilee
You’re done forever with the Grizzly Bear
For when they start to sway
And do the Bombashay
You think you’re ten miles out at sea
Oh, watch Ebenezer with his Liza Jane
She’s keepin’ him busy as a bee