[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular song from 1899
Words and music by Ben. Harney
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. A sporty coon once had a happy home
But ev’ry night was always on the roam
And to the race track each day straight he went
The touts out there pumped him up full of air
The tips he got even got his fare
Till he was broke, and could not raise a cent
From a gambling coon to white-washing fences
Then this nigger had to go
And he was not able to rent a room
Even down in poverty row
Each landlord met him with a sarcastic “jolly”
And then he said, “Mister Coon, your money in advance
If you please, or no bed”
And then he’d say, “Landlord, good day
Things ain’t exactly a coming my way
Chorus
Oh! this sporting life is certainly killing me
Oh! it ain’t exactly what it is cracked up to be
I’m in the race but I won’t finish one, two, three
This sporting life is certainly killing me
2. A hungry coon was very baseball struck
I’ll play a game he said and try my luck
So with a club and bag he started out
But farmer Jones entitled to a thought
He said the coon caught fowls that was not bought
So took his gun and dog the coon to rout
The coon too dark to play in the light
Played in the dark to pass for white
Said the farmer, “Well, it is kind of dark
But the gun shoots straight at night
Then silently stealing, without revealing
By the hen-coop hid
When the coon with his load
Started down the road this he did
He blazed away, the coon did stay
And dog and the farmer heard him say
3. A youthful coon with money by the wad
Is lying now at rest beneath the sod
But while he ran was mighty hard to beat
Women and wine soon got him on the line
He was a king, almost for a time
Spend his coin with ev’ry one he would meet
Then he started to drink, and he never stopped to think
What would be his end
Then he stay out all night till broad daylight
Sporting and he wouldn’t mend
Then in the morning ’twas an awful warning
He was such a sight
Ice on his head as he lay in bed
He was indeed a fright
Then with a glance at the ambulance
Pay for the music if your in the dance