Lyr Add: Hop Light Loo

Subject: Lyr Add: Hop Light Loo
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 17 Jun 09 - 12:32 AM

Lyr. Add: HOP LIGHT, LOO
Minstrel, 19th c.

1
My ole missus she's a widder,
Only waitin' for a bidder;
Him dat's lucky 'nuff to get her,
Takes her all for worser or better.

Chorus-
Hop light, Loo! de debbil's in de bee gum,
A-hoo, hop light, Loo!
Don't take it all, kase you must leabe me some,
I am Bo-num-bo, -- who dar?

2
Missus on de hen-coop smokin'
Rain come down, she got a soakin'
No one cares, I've got money plenty,
Dressed to deff-- her old trunk empty.
3
Missus didn't look well dancin',
Kase her leg was most too slantin',
Wash dem well wid gin and water,
Soon come straight, so says de doctor.
4
An idea pop in her head quicker--
"What's de use of wasting licker;
Wid de gin I'll wet my throttle,
Den I'll rub my leg wid de bottle.

Printed by George S. Harris, Philadelphia. American Memory, Nineteenth-Century Song Sheets.

Several versions of this 19th c. minstrel song and dance, one in the Bodleian Collection, Harding B 15(131b).

Evolved into the well-known fiddle tune, Uncle Joe aka Hop Light Ladies, Hop High Ladies, Walk Light Ladies, The Cake's all Dough, etc.
See The Fiddler's Companion for current tunes.