The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #2739   Message #2714774
Posted By: Jim Dixon
02-Sep-09 - 02:32 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: My Little Grass Shack in Kealakekua, HI
Subject: Lyr Add: BACK IN HACKENSACK, NEW JERSEY
Both the Levy collection and Indiana University have the sheet music for BACK IN HACKENSACK, NEW JERSEY, but images aren't available online because the song is still under copyright protection. However, I was able to transcribe the chorus from the recording at YouTube. (You can hear a less "tinny" recording at RedHotJazz.com.)

There is still at least one missing verse that begins:
'"Mammy" songs have been the craze and "baby" songs have had their days.'


BACK IN HACKENSACK, NEW JERSEY
Words and music by Art L. Beiner, and Dan A. Russo.
Chicago: Ted Browne Music Co., copyright 1924.

CHORUS: I wanna go back to a black little shack back in Hackensack, New Jersey.
I wanna see all the pals and the gals that I used to know.
I'll see my baby brother playing around the kitchen floor.
I'll hear my mother saying, "Come on there, kiddy, Daddy's gonna be here pretty soon."
'Twill be soon, and the moon will be shining down on Jersey.
There never was a sweeter sight to see, take it from me.
I may be old-fashioned and a small-town boy,
But I know the meaning of the word called joy.
I'm going back to that little black shack back in Hackensack, New Jersey,
And let the world learn how to smile from me.

* * *
There seems to be an article that quotes from the song:
"The Soundtrack of Hackensack" by Jim Beckerman, in (Bergen County, NJ, July 8, 2003)
--but you have to sign up to see the whole article. I didn't.