The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #58001   Message #3091988
Posted By: GUEST,CowboyFloyd's granddaughter
09-Feb-11 - 03:40 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: My Pretty Little Indian Napanee
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Pretty Little Indian Napanee
My grandfather used to sing this on the radio and stage in the 30's...   I found the original sheet music and lyrics. Here they are.

My Pretty Little Indian Napanee
Words by Will S. Genaro; music by W.R. Williams
Published 1906

Out on the Indian reservation,
far away from civilization,
Where the foot of "pale face" seldom trod...
White man went to fish one summer,
met an Indian girl, a hummer,
Daughter of the big chief "Spare-the-rod;"
White man threw some loving glances,
took the maiden to war dances,
Smoked the "pipe of peace," took chances;
Living in a teepee made of fir,
Rode with her on an Indian pony,
gave her a diamond ring, a "phoney,"
Then he sang these loving words to her:

[chorus]
You are my Pretty little Indian Napanee,
will you take a chance and marry me?
Tho' daddy is a chief,
'tis my belief,
to a very merry wedding he'll agree;..

True you're a dark little Indian maid,
but I'll sun burn to a darker shade,
I'll wear feathers on my head,
Paint my face an Indian Red...
If you'll only be my Napanee.

Sorry to say, his "con" talk caught her,
soon he married the Big Chief's daughter,
Happiest couple that you ever saw...
Till his dream of love had faded,
Napanee looked old and jaded.
Just about like any other squaw;...
Soon papooses came in numbers,
redskin yells disturbed his slumbers,
White man wonders at his blunders,
Now the feathers droop upon his head,....
Too late now, but still he is wishing
that he had never gone a fishing,
Or had met that Indian maid and said:

[repeat chorus]