[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
“He’s gone where the Southern cross’ the Yellow Dog”
a 1919 popular song
words and music by W. C. Handy
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- E’er since Miss Susan Johnson lost her Jockey, Lee
There has been much excitement, more to be
You can hear her moaning night and morn
“Wonder where my Easy Riders gone?
Cable grams come of sympathy, telegrams go of inquiry
Letters come from down in “Bam”
And everywhere that Uncle Sam
Has even a rural delivery
All day the phone rings, but it’s not for me
At last good tidings fill our hearts with glee
This message comes from Tennessee”
Chorus
Dear Sue, your Easy Rider struck this burg today
On a south boun’ rattler, side door Pullman car
Seen him here an’ he was on the hog
(The smoke was broke, no joke, not a jitney on him)
Easy rider’s gotta stay away, so he
Had to vamp it but the hike ain’t far
He’s gone where the Southern cross’ the Yellow Dog
- I know the Yellow Dog District like a book
Indeed I know the route that Rider took
Every crosstie, Bayou, burg, and bog
Way down where the Southern cross’ the Dog
Money don’t zactly grow on trees
On cotton stalks it grows with ease
No race horse, race track, no grand stand
Is like Old Beck and Buckshot land
Down where the Southern cross’ the Dog
Every kitchen there is a cabaret
Down there the bollwevil works while the darkies play
This Yellow Dog Blues the live long day
Sung here by Fred Feild: