The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #24017   Message #2663491
Posted By: Stringsinger
24-Jun-09 - 10:55 AM
Thread Name: Origin: Colored Aristocracy
Subject: RE: Colored Aristocracy?
There are a couple of songs that reflect this idea. The original version of "Puttin' On The Ritz" is an example of the so-called attempt at being black aristocrats. Another, is "Darktown Strutter's Ball" by Shelton Brooks to commemorate a black prostitute's ball.

This theme pops up in songs every once in a while. They tend to be stereotypical.

It may be a throwback to the Minstrel show days. Stephen Foster wrote a lot of these kind of songs.

It's another song like Georgia Camp Meeting which is a very good tune with terribly
condescending lyrics.