Sheet Music, 1900-1909
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ISBN
MUM00682, 0544
Description
Cover: a drawing of an African American couple in the kitchen; photo inset of Harry Von Tilzer and Ghas Mc Avoy (see 142); Publisher: Harry von Tilzer Music Publishing 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
Who dat a knockin' at the door below, Who dat a shiv'rin' in the hail and snow, I can hear you grumblin' Mister Rufus Brown, Just keep on a knockin' babe, I won't come down, I wants to tell you that you can't get in, Have you been a gamblin' Honey, did you win? what's that you tell me coon you lost your breath? I hopes you freezes to death.
Chorus
Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown, what you goin' to do when the rent comes round, What you goin' to say, how you goin' to pay, You'll never have a bit of sense till judgement day; You know, I know, rent means dough, Landlord's goin' to put us out in the snow, Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown, what you goin' to do when the rent comes round. Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown, what you goin' to do when the rent comes round, What you goin' to say, how you goin' to pay, You'll never have a bit of sense till judgement day; You know, I know, rent means dough, Landlord's goin' to put us out in the snow, Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown, what you goin' to do when the rent comes round.
Second verse
Keep on a bangin' on the old front door, In just a minute babe you'll hear me snore, If I goes to bed without a bite or sup, You will be an icicle when I wakes up, Where's all the money that you said you'd bring, Melted all away just like the snow last Spring, Rufus I loves you, but this serves you right, Guess that's sufficient, goodnight.
(Chorus)
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