I'se A-Picking My Company Now 1899

by James Pitt-Payne, London UK - 17 Mar 2007
2007

I guess you all know on New Years Day
ev'rybody makes a call,
Miss Lucy Jackson selected her guests
that night for a private Ball.
She'd been keepin' comp'ny with a raggedy coon
with a face as black as sin,
he called, dressed in the best he had,
but Lucy wouldn't let him in,
he started to cry, and asked just why
Missa Lucy turned him down?
"To tell the truth, tonight," she said,
"Your company is not around.
The people dat's all assembled here
are a credit to the race!
I don't want to talk behind your back,
so I'll tell you to your face."

I'se a pickin' my comp'ny now,
You'se a coon that will start a row!
I knowed when you was dressin' fine,
but it's been a long time!
Do me a favor, please, leave ma door
and don't come back no more!
I was goin' to write a letter
an' tell you, any how,
I'se a pickin' my comp'ny now.

I'se a pickin' my comp'ny now,
You'se a coon that will start a row!
I knowed when you was dressin' fine,
but it's been a long time!
Do me a favor, please, leave ma door
and don't come back no more!
I was goin' to write a letter
an' tell you, any how,
I'se a pickin' my comp'ny now.

The coon he stood there with blank dismay
written right across his face.
Arealizin' some other swell coon
had crept in and copped his place.
"I'se been grossly 'sulted
and I'se goin' to get square
if it takes my nat'ral life."
He said: "Miss Lucy, some fine day,
you'll wish dat you was my best wife."
That coon went away, grew rich, they say,
owned a big white mansion too;
he gave a fancy ball one night,
invited ev'ry friend he knew,
That gal came around and rang the bell,
but he ordered her away,
Then he slammed the door right in her face,
said: "Remember last New Year's Day."

I'se a pickin' my comp'ny now,
You'se a coon that will start a row!
I knowed when you was dressin' fine,
but it's been a long time!
Do me a favor, please, leave ma door
and don't come back no more!
I was goin' to write a letter
an' tell you, any how,
I'se a pickin' my comp'ny now.

I'se a pickin' my comp'ny now,
You'se a coon that will start a row!
I knowed when you was dressin' fine,
but it's been a long time!
Do me a favor, please, leave ma door
and don't come back no more!
I was goin' to write a letter
an' tell you, any how,
I'se a pickin' my comp'ny now.

Soft karaoke
Words
piano 1
piano 2
piano 3
piano 4
lyric
pizz str bass
*
I'se A-Picking My Company Now 1899
from The Musical Supplement to The Sunday Chronicle, Chicago
Sunday June 9 - 1901
Words & Music by Nathan Bivins
© MDCCCXCIX by T.B.Harms & Co.
*
sequence & karaoke by James Pitt-Payne, London UK
on Saturday 17 March 2007 at 12.18pm
in association with Doug Grierson
*