This refers, of course, to the Black Bottom dance step that became popular in the 1920's.


DON'T TAKE THAT BLACK BOTTOM AWAY
by Sam Coslow, Addy Britt and Harry Link. ©1926.
As recorded by Annette Hanshaw, 1926.

No one ever gave me a tumble at a party or ball
Still I learned a certain step
That gave me quite a rep.
I became the life of the party, one who goes ev'ry day.
That hot rhythm
Kept me with 'em.
Now they want to take it away.
I'm cryin'—

You can take my coat and hat.
Take away my dog and my cat,
But don't take away that black bottom, black bottom.
You can take the sun away.
Leave me with those clouds of gray,
But don't take that black bottom away, hey-hey!
Ev'ry time I do that dance, I lose my self-control.
It has taken full possession of my very soul.
So just take ev'rything you can.
You can even take my man,
But don't take that black bottom away.

Take our poison alcohol.
I won't miss that stuff at all,
But don't take away that black bottom, black bottom.
Take away those sexy plays
Where they scream the woman pays,
But don't take that black bottom away, hey-hey!
When they took that shimmy dance. I really didn't mind.
When the Charleston got passé, I never wept or pined,
But at the close of ev'ry day,
On my knees you'll hear me prayin':
Don't take that black bottom away.

Just take ev'rything you can.
You can even take my man,
But don't take that black bottom.
Don't take the sunshine out of my life.