Lyr. Add: ROOT, HOG, OR DIE
George W. H. Griffin, arranger, 1856

I'm right from the south, with a pocket full of news,
I'm worth twenty shillings as I stand in my shoes,
Don't make a bit o' diff'rence between you and I
Big pig or little pig must root, hog or die.

Chorus-
Chief Cook and bottle washer
Captain of the waiter
Stand side my love while I peel the bag o' taters
do jog along.

I'm the greatest darkey that ever you did see
I'm like a sassy monkey up a sour apple tree
When I die there let me lie
Down in Old Virginia boys
Big pig or little pig must root, hog, or die.

I'm the sweetest darkey on the top of the earth,
Sweet as any pumpkin at the time of the dearth
Darkey in the tater patch dere let him lie
Darkey will be darkey Boys, Root, hog.r die.

Broadway dandies getting mighty grand
Shanghai coats close on the hand
Great standing collars which reach up to the sky,
That's the way to go it boys, Root. hog, or die.

Sung by J. H. Budworth, Geo. Christy & Wood's Minstrels.
Sheet music pub. E. A. Daggett, NYC, 1856.
American Memory.

Earliest date I have found. More versions of the minstrel song were published in the same year.