Sheet Music, 1900-1909
Preview
Files
Download Full Text (825 KB)
ISBN
MUM00682, 0133
Description
Cover: drawing of a portly African American male smoking a cigar and staring into the distance, where workers toil; photo inset of singers Leighton and Leighton; Publisher: Howley Dresser Co. (New York)
Subject Headings (Library of Congress)
Songs -- United States -- 20th Century; Popular Music -- United States
Relational Format
music score
Original Format
scores
Original Collection
Sheldon Harris Collection (MUM00682), Archives and Special Collections, University of Mississippi Libraries
Finding Aid
Lyrics
Lyrics:
First verse
Listen now white folks, while I tell to you, Coons without a habit are mighty few, Some have a habit of dressing neat while my bad habit is to sleep and eat I'm telling all you coons that you will all be dead If you don't stop hallin' cigarettes up in your head There's two habits I have barred, They are fightin' bout my gal and working hard.
Chorus
Well that is a habit I never had, That kind of habit is mighty bad; I'm telling you coons now I'm mighty glad That kind of habit I never had that kind of a habit I never had, That kind of habit is mighty bad; I'm telling you coons now I'm mighty glad That kind of habit I never had
Second verse
Tell you how a habit got a friend of mine, Who owned a half interest in a silver mine He got married, then his downfall came, In a bout six month he'd sold his claim, Now his money's all gone and she throwed him down He's the raggedest coon thats in this town It serves him right, for he ruined his life He had the foolish habit giving money to his wife.
(Chorus)
Content Disclaimer
Some of the images and language that appear in the digital collections depict prejudices that are not condoned by the University of Mississippi. This content is being presented as historical documentation to aid in the understanding of both American history and the history of the University of Mississippi. The University Creed speaks to our current deeply held values, and the availability of this content should not be taken as an endorsement of previous attitudes or behavior.