Confusion twice compounded.

American Memory has an 1897 composition titled "Black Annie", which makes it appear intended to be a novelty dance. The dance portion is in a minor key.

Is this the source of the title phrase? Or does it go back farther into the mists of time? And if so, where did Hillman and Perrin get the title?

Notably, a "black Annie" in African American prison parlance may be a wagon used to take the condemned to the scaffold, and may even refer to the prisoner himself. I think I have also found it to refer to a bullwhip, as "Black Betty" does, but memory grows fragmentary I am not sure of that.

The sheet music doesn't explain; the cover has no art, nothing to imply what this was about. Lyrics make you think, though, that it might have been (a) inspired by the Columbian Exposition in Chicago 1893, or (b) primed for the Paris World Exposition in 1900.

My feeling is that the "black Annie" tradition goes farther back, that it may have been a dance in black tradition in the late 19th century, and that the composers heard it, perhaps in New York city, and copped it in an attempt to make a dance craze.

Here's the url.

(click here).

Lyrics are as follows:

BLACK ANNIE
By Hillman and Perrin, 1897

The dance we're going to introduce is the very latest craze,
Observe those wenches coming down the "chute" with their gaudy, winsome ways,
'Tis very simple, you will plainly see, yet up to date and new,
Now, with your kind attention, we will plainly show to you,

CHO:
Gents, politely hug and kiss your Mammy,
Wheel around now, ladies, dance Black Annie,
To the World's Fair on Darby Day, everybody dance the "bom-ba-sha[y],
That's the way to introduce Black Annie.

Don't we look swell coming down the line, with our sweethearts by our side?
First the mas-ma-la, next the Mobile Buck, and then we do the glide,
Gents honor the girls as you pass them by, all single out in space,
Now, each salute your partner, view each other face to face,