The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #52464   Message #1835100
Posted By: Jim Dixon
15-Sep-06 - 06:52 AM
Thread Name: Origin: Jim Along Josey / Jim Along Josie
Subject: Lyr Add: JIM ALONG JOSEY (British version)
Here's something I've never noticed before: A British version of a "coon" song! I think I can detect Cockney dialect ("larfabel" and "larfin") as well as British slang ("rolly bolley"), standard terms ("wescot", "one and tenpence"), and topical references ("Hanober Square Concert") – but there are other things I don't understand at all. (Why would anyone drink wine out of blacking bottles?)

The print was very difficult to decipher from the screen images, so I would appreciate any corrections.

From The Lester S. Levy Collection of Sheet Music:

JIM ALONG JOSEY!
The Very Celebrated & Popular
American Melody,
as Sung at all the
London & New York Theatres, Concerts &c.
by every
Popular Comedian and Comic Singer,
with the
Encore Verses,
Now first Published
Arranged for the
Piano Forte.
London, Published by S. Duncombe, 10 Middle Row, Holborn
[no date]

1. I hab cum from Lussianni so straight and slick,
Dars where Jim along Joseys all de kick;
An tink it is but right dat you should know,
De cut an de spin ob Jim along Joe;

CHORUS: Hey get along, get along Josey,
Hey get along, Jim along Joe.
Hey get along, get along Josey,
Hey get along, Jim along Joe.

2. Dey try it on at de chalky whites ball
But de indimpendent nigger beat dem all
He can so cum de toe point heel brush fling
An like a riglar roarin hi win sing

3. O berry much I hope my trousaloon you'll scuse
My dish a bill coat an de crab shell shoes
But I'm guoin to hab a newly coat all green
Wid de longes tail dat ever yet was seen

4. To de lubly Dina 'fore him cum away
I'm gib a light sky scraper an dus him say
Take dis rolly bolley gypsey bonnett
Like pancake flat wid der tea cake on it

5. My one berry good fren was Romeo Prescott
Him heart so warm set fir to him wescot
But when in a party—larfabol to see
De ugly go to him an de pretty gals to me

6. To stanimate de influensa
De Lusiana cure I reccommen sir
Gib away your coff an to cure de troat ob trush
Stick your heat in coon fat an swaller scrubbin brush

7. A nigger man der was down a goodway south
Who had de toot ache in de middle ob his mouth
So fill him jaw wid cob sause and wid oil
Den sat upon de fire until he make it boil

8. Its dangres in Englan when you wet your trottles
To drink your wine at dinner out ob blackin bottles
I was challenge toder day by you know who in vain
I say dam your blackin bottle take your card again

De beginnin ob anoder one – Encore.

9. I no mind a snuff what care I hab to feel
While I can sing and dance de break down nigger reel
I cum de pigeon wing please Diana Moon
Catch de fat Oppossum kick de sly Racoon.

10. 'Conomy I find de order ob de day
To make Virginny soup dis de cheapest way
Boil water pour in pot widout a handle
Stir for half an hour wid a taller candle

11. At Lusiana I make de niggar bellar
Representin Romeo, Hamlet, an Ottellar
Him no like dat part greasy corky stuff
For him hab to paint him face to make it black enuf

12. Bill Shikspur was a berry cleber man
He almost write as well as any niggar can
But de poor man lib not long enuff to know
How to polterise de skience ob Jim along Joe

13. Ebery English Actor 'gin to stew himself
Frightful dat de dramma will be laid upon de shelf
But dere neber could be cause for such alarma
If dey'd leab to nigger man rewibal ob de drama

14. I hope you'll pardon me but by way ob spirt
I'm gwoin to de Grand Hanober Square Concert
Doe I'be heard people say when de singers sqall
You must applaud dem parts you no understand at all

15. 'Cademy ob Music make great boderation
For one and tenpence de Lessonise de nation
But some deep nigger say larfin at de button
Dat's de way to gull and get de bread and mutton

["dish a bill" = dis·ha·bille n. 1. The state of being partially or very casually dressed. 2. Casual or lounging attire. (French déshabillé, from past participle of déshabiller, to undress : des-, dis- + habiller, to clothe; see habiliment.)]