The following lyrics are from the sheet music at UCLA. When Bert Williams recorded it in 1918, he partly sang and partly recited it; using only the first verse once and the chorus twice. Another recording was made by Arthur Collins in 1919.


O DEATH WHERE IS THY STING
Words and music by Clarence A. Stout, ©1918.

1. Now Parson Brown one Sunday morn was giving good advice.
He warned his congregation to refrain from sin and vice.
He drew a fiery picture 'bout the devil down below,
And said: "Folks, quit your sinnin' or to him you're bound to go.
Why, Hell is full of vampire women, whiskey, gin and dice.
Make Satan get behind you now; prepare for Paradise,
Mose Johnson jumped up from his chair, said: "Parson, is that true?
That Hell is full of what you said? Then let me say to you:

CHORUS: "If what you say is the positive truth, O Death, where is thy sting?
I don't care now 'bout the pearly gates, or [to] hear those angels sing.
With booze and women down below,
Mister devil and I will put on a show.
If what you say is the positive truth, O Death, where is thy sting?"

2. The parson said: "Now, listen, man: How come you talk that way
About 'O Death, where is thy sting?' Now listen what I say:
I've tried to keep you in the path that has no crooks or turns,
And told you never play with fire, because fire always burns.
You care not now for pearly gates, or hear those angels sing.
Remember you can't fly with us, 'cause you won't have no wings."
Mose Johnson then said: "Parson, what you have said might be so,
But where there's booze and chickens, I prefer to go below. CHORUS