[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
a 1919 popular song
words by Alex Rogers
music by Ford T. Dabney
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne
Lyrics
‘Twas at a high brow dance affair give by Professor Comitheer
Down at his place they call the Paul Swan Studio
He offer’d fifty dollars cold unto the couple young or old
That introduc’d the newest most artistic dance
Well me ‘n’ my lady friend we had a dance
That had won four small time prizes, here’s a chance
To walk off with the fifth Fifty dollars ’twas a gift
What made it sure they’d hir’d our band that night
Look’d like that band was made for us
Anyhow it happen’d thus
Chorus
They play’d the introduction to our fav’rite piece
And me ‘n’ my lady friend Miss Dell’ Cereese
Took our stand and Lawd that band
That clarinet, sweet cornet
That slide trombone begin to weep and moan
I draw’d Miss Della to me and we made our start
And just as we had reach’d the interestin’ part
A voice just like a lady cried out “this won’t do”
I got hot and holler’d to him, “Who is you?”
He says, “I’m Professor De Comitheer
And you can’t shake that shimmie here”
Sung here by Fred Feild: