Sheet Music, 1900-1909
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Files
Download Full Text (844 KB)
ISBN
MUM00682, 0141
Description
Cover: drawing of a smiling face of an African American male; Publisher: Henry Crey Music Co. (Boston)
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
Rufus Wilson was a coon No luck could ever find And all the wealth that he possessed was only in his mind But he never lost a bit of sleep and if trouble ever came It never jarred him in the least he always was the same It never seem'd to worry him when on the losing side while drifting through this wicked world on life's uncertain tide And when hard luck knocked at his door to fill him with dismay This ebony philosopher would only grin and say
Chorus
What you cant get you got to do without Taint no use to worry, fret or pout Just stick it out and as sure as sin some day you are bound to win They say that Rome wasn't built in a day Sometime things will come my way You may kick you may growl You may Holler loud and shout But what you can't get you got to do without What you cant get you got to do without Taint no use to worry, fret or pout Just stick it out and as sure as sin some day you are bound to win They say that Rome wasn't built in a day Sometime things will come my way You may kick you may growl You may Holler loud and shout But what you can't get you got to do without
Second verse
One day he started on the road with a rag time minstrel show Which soon got stranded and poor Rufe once more was filled with woe When the show was on the final night it looked bad for the troupe For the manager grabbed the gate receipts and quickly flew the coop The town where they got stranded was a one horse country place and the only thing Rufe's pockets held was a lot of empty space When a touching message to his babe brought back this quick reply Beat it back home while your shoes are good poor Rufe said with a sigh
(Chorus)
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