W’en de Colo’ed Ban’ Comes Ma’chin’ Down de Street

[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]

A 1903 popular song
Words by Paul Laurence Dunbar
Music by J. Rosamond Johnson

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The sheet music:

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Lyrics

1. W’en de colored band comes marchin’ down de street
   Don’t you people stan’ daih starin’, lif’ yo’ feet
   Ain’t dey playin’ Hip, hoo-ray
   Stir yo’ stumps an’ clear de way
   Fu’ de music dat dey mekin’ can’t be beat
   Oh, de maor man’s a-swingin’ of his stick
   An’ de piccaninnies crowdin’ roun’ him thick
   In his go’geous uniform
   He’s de lightnin’ of de sto’m
   An’ de little clouds erroun’ look mighty slick

Chorus
You kin hyeah a fine perfor’mance
W’en de white ban’s serenade
An’ dey play dey high-toned music
An’ de play it mighty sweet
But hit’s Sousa played in ragtime
An hit’s Rastus on Parade
W’en de colo’ed ban’ comes ma’chin’
Ma’chin’ down de street

2. W’en de colored band comes marchin’ down de street
   You kin hyeah de ladies all erroun’ repeat
   “Ain’t day han’some, ain’t dey gran’
   Ain’t dey splendid, goodness, lan’
   W’y dey’s pu-fect f’om dey fo’heads to dey feet
   An’ sich steppin’ to de music down de line
   ‘Tain’t de music by itself dat makes it fine
   Hit’s de walkin’, step by step
   An’ de keepin’ time wid “Hep”
   Dat it mek a common ditty soun’ divine

Chorus
Oh, de white ban’ play hits music
An’ hit’s mighty good to hyeah
An’ hit sometimes leave a ticklin’
Leaves a ticklin’ in yo’ feet
But de hea’t goes into business
Fu’ to he’p erlong de eah
W’en de colo’ed ban’ comes ma’chin’
Ma’chin’ down de street

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