[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular song from 1898
Featured in E. E. Rice’s “Summer Nights”
Words by Paul Laurence Dunbar
Music by Will Marion
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. There was once a great assemblage of the cullud population
All the cullud swells was there
They had got themselves together to discuss
The situation and the rumors in the air
There were speakers there from Georgia
And some more from Tennessee
Who were making feathers fly
When a roostah in a bahn-ya’d flew up
Whah those folks could see
Then those darkies all did cry
Chorus:
Who dat say chicken in dis crowd?
Speak de word agin’ and speak it loud
Blame da lan’ let white folks rule it
I’se a lookin’ fu a pullet
Who dat say chicken in dis crowd
2. A famous culled preacher told his listnin’ congregation
All about de way to ac’
Ef dey want to be respected and become
A mighty nation to be hones’, fu’ a fac
Dey mus’ nebber lie, no nebber
An’ mus’ not be caught a-stealin’ any pullets fun de lim’
But an aged deacon got up an’ his voice it shook wif feelin’
As dense words he said to him
Chorus:
Who dat say chicken in dis crowd?
Speak de word agin’ and speak it loud
What’s de use of all dis talkin’
Let me hyeah a hen a-squawkin’
Who dat say chicken in dis crowd