The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #66516 Message #1105391
Posted By: Q (Frank Staplin)
30-Jan-04 - 03:30 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Shoo Fly / Shew Fly
Subject: Lyr Add: SHEW! FLY, DON'T BOTHER ME
Bishop also composed a song for Lincoln's campaign (c. 1864) called: "Abraham the Great and Genl. Grant his Mate," surely one of the more forgettable Civil War songs. In American Memory.
Another version of "Shoo Fly."
SHEW! FLY, DON'T BOTHER ME
Words and music T. Brigham Bishop(?) 1869
I think I hear the angels sing (3x)
The angels now are on the wing,
I feel, I feel, I feel, that's what my mother said,
The angels pouring 'lasses down, upon this nigger's head.
Chorus
Shew! fly don't bother me (3x)
I belong to comp'ny G.
I feel, I feel, I feel, I feel like a morning star. (3x)
If I sleep in the sun this nigger knows (3x)
A fly come sting him on the nose.
I feel, I feel, I feel, that's what my mother said,
Whenever this nigger goes to sleep, he must cover up his head.
Lyrics reproduced from sheet music (White, Smith, Perry; Boston, 1869): Shew! Fly
On the sheet music, authors given as Frank Campbell, melody, and arranged by Rollin Howard. Cool Burgess and Rollin Howard.