[Warning: derogatory racial terms. Original presented as an important part of music history.]
a 1893 popular song
words and music by Ernest Hogan and Billy Kersands
arranged by George W. Hetzel
The sheet music:
Lyrics
- Come all you colored people, who have got a soul to save
I’ve got a few questions I want to ax
I’m gwine to tell you ’bout your doin’s and your wicked ways
I’ll pin you down to rock bottom fac’s
Don’t you know de time am comin’ dat de darkies all must go
To take dat elevator for de bright and golden shore, Oh!
Don’t you know you ain’t been doin’ right so come on ‘fore its too late
What am you gwine to tell Massa Peter when you meet Him at de gate?
Chorus
Massa Peter’s expectation ob de color’d population
Come a runnin’ now ‘afore it am too late
Ever since emancipation, what has been your occupation?
What am you gwine to tell Massa Peter at de gate?
Ever since emancipation, what has been your occupation?
What am you gwine to tell Massa Peter at de gate?
- What about dat watermelon dat was smilin’ on de vine
Dey are gwine to put it to you just dat way
What about dat pa’r ob pants you took dat made you look so fine
You’ll have to wear anoder pa’r dat day
Dere’s a little bag ob feathers and a little bag ob bones
Recollect dem hills ob taters dat you took from Uncle Jones, Oh!
What about dat chicken scrape which am bound to make you late
What am you gwine to tell Massa Peter when you meet Him at de gate?
Sung here by Fred Feild: