[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
a 1899 popular song
words by Harry Bache Smith
music by John Stromberg
This catchy tune is heavily syncopated. The lyrics are filled with dialect slang. Songs like this were instant favorites at the turn of the century when ragtime was new.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by Benjamin R. Tubb:
Lyrics
- Dar is music in de banjo when it sounds
Dar is music in de whistle ob de breeze
Dar is music fo’ creation on de whole ob dis plantation
Dar is music in de buzzin’ ob de bees
But de sweetes music ever dat I hear
Is de sound de soft breeze to me gently brings
In tones so clear to my listenin’ ear
When my Chloe, my sweet Chloe sings
Refrain
Do yo’ hear dem tones a-comin’
Wid de ole banjo a strummin’
Why de bees dey stop dere hummin’
When dey hears ‘em come along
O’er de whole o’ dis plantation
It’s de cause ob a sensation
Sweetes music in creation
Is when Chloe sings a song
- Dar is music in de tambourine and bones
Dar is music in de fiddle and de bow
Dar is lively music eber when the steamer down de riber
Comes along an’ lets her loudes’ whistle blows
But de darkies come around fo’ miles an’ miles
It is wonderful de crowd it always brings
Wif ev’ry chile’s face wreathed in smiles
When my Chloe, my sweet Chloe sings - Dar is music when de red birds chirp and sing
And de oriole is whistling on his nest
Dar is music in de tingle ob de rain upon de shingle
When in de cabin all have gone to rest
But dar’s not a bird in air or in de trees
Dar is not a bird dat flies around on wings
Wif tones as sweet as dem you meet
When my Chloe, dat gal Chloe sings
Sung here by Fred Feild: