From the sheet music at Baylor University:


'TAINT NO DISGRACE TO RUN, WHEN YOU ARE SKEERED
Words by James Burris; music by Ernest Hogan and Chris Smith
Detroit: The Whitney Warner Pub. Co., ©1903

1. There was a haunted mansion down in a southern town.
Sam Johnson was the bravest coon, was known for miles around.
One hundred bills to anyone who'd in that mansion stay.
Sam said, "Dat's easy money; dat reward they'll have to pay."
Then to that mansion Johnson went to make himself a home.
When midnight came a spooky said, "Why, Sam, we're all alone."
"Don't make dat 'We' so strong," said Sam, while reaching for the shelf.
"Just let me get my clothes, my dear, and you'll be by yourself.

CHORUS 1: " 'Cause 'tain't no disgrace to run if you are skeered.
For five long miles I've run widout being steered."
The ghost said, "We have run till I am sore."
"Dat's nothing," said Sam. "We're gwine to run some more,
'Cause 'tain't no disgrace to run if you are skeered."

2. Sam's little girl, he loved so dear, lived up a country lane.
Sam said, "I'll go to her this night and to her I'll explain;"
But just befo' he reached the house, a form he saw in white.
Sam turned at once, run down the lane, and soon was out of sight.
The noise he made while running fast, scared up a big wild deer.
The deer and Sam ran nose and nose, both running full of fear.
Sam beat the deer, ten yards or more, then yelled back full of glee:
"Better take that rockin' chair off your head, and try and catch up with me."

CHORUS 2: " 'Cause 'tain't no disgrace to run if you are skeered.
For five long miles I've run widout being steered,"
If de ghost had av gained, I'd a made a bet
Dat Sam an' de deer would be a-running yet,
'Cause 'tain't no disgrace to run if you are skeered."