Here is a transcription of 'Po' Mourner' as recorded by Jules Allen for Victor in 1928.WARNING: Like many minstrel-derived pieces, these lyrics contain racist and offensive material.
PO' MOURNER
Well a nigger went to the creek to get baptised
And when he got into the creek oh well he got surprised
The creek was deep, the preacher was weak
The nigger went to heaven from the bottom of the creek
Fightin' water
You shall be free, in the morning
You shall be free, little children
You shall be free, when the good lord sets you free
What was it the lord told Jonah to do
Go on and put on your long tail blue
You've got four kegs of pickles, five kegs of cheese
If you want to go to heaven keep a-shoutin' on your knees
Po' mourner
You shall be free, sister Lula
You shall be free, little children
You shall be free, if the good lord sets you free
As I was going down the road, lonesome road it was
There is a nigger and a monkey sittin' on a rail
You couldn't have told the difference
But the monkey had a tail
Po' mourner
You shall be free, in the morning
You shall be free, sister Lula
You shall be free, little children
You shall be free, if the good lord sets you free
If you want to go to heaven, I'll tell you what to do
Kinda grease yourself with mutton stew
When the devil comes with a greasy hand
Scoot him right over in the promised land
Po' mourner
You shall be free, sister Lula
You shall be free, little children
You shall be free, when the good lord sets you free
There was a coon up a simmon tree
Racoon on the ground
Racoon says, You striped son-of-a-gun
Throw a few simmons down
Spoken:
Now ladies and gentlemen, brethern, and sistern, while I have something to do with this congregation, I have a few preliminary remarks to make and that am this: 'Some gentleman in the audience has been smoking a rambo (?) stoggie. He will be withdrawn 'cause of him smelling very obnoxious and therefore suffocating the ladies'.
Po' mourner
You shall be free, in the morning
You shall free, sister Lula
You shall be free, little children
You shall be free, when the good lord sets you free
Source: Jules Allen 'Po' Mourner' Vi 23834, recorded in El Paso, Texas, on 24 April 1928. Reissued on Jules Allen 'The Texas Cowboy' Folk Variety LP FV12502. The above transcription is by Frank Mare and included in booklet accompanying the reissue LP.