What The Band Played 1903

by James Pitt-Payne, London UK - 9 Mar 2012
2012

The black four hundred's
hired a band
to head them on parade,
The creme de la creme,
so serene.
While prancing down the avenue
the music loudly played,
for the creme de la creme
were serene.
I tried to separate
but I was late
to catch the notes
as they were flying
but I was trying
to separate and locate,
but in the air
notes were soaring
drums were roaring
the slide trombone played:
"Ain't that a shame."
The bass horn pulled off
"When the robins nest again."
The clarinet was puffing
"Annie Rooney" with bliss
while the fife played
a familiar air like this:

Then the band played
"My Coal Black Hannah Lady"
Why don't you get a lady of your own.
"All I want is my black baby."
Ev'ry place I hang my hat
is home sweet home.
"I'm happy when I'm by my baby's side."
"I guess that will hold you for a while."
They played: "Well I don't know."
Now take your clothes and go
I'm goin' to live any how till I die.

Then the band played
"My Coal Black Hannah Lady"
Why don't you get a lady of your own.
"All I want is my black baby."
Ev'ry place I hang my hat
is home sweet home.
"I'm happy when I'm by my baby's side."
"I guess that will hold you for a while."
They played: "Well I don't know."
Now take your clothes and go
I'm goin' to live any how till I die.

The high tone ragtime orchestra
played at their ball last night,
It was fine, super fine,
dead in line.
The wenches came in twos and fours
and looking out of sight
Uptodate
fashion plate
but they were late.
I tried to win a lady,
but she said: "You are too shady."
I was beaming
she left me dreaming
I left the floor
made for the door,
was awful sore.
I was steaming
felt like screaming
The slide trombone played
"Cast aside."
The bass horn pulled off
"Make dem googoo eyes."
The clarinet was puffing
"Stay in your own back yard."
While the fife played
a song which made them smile:

Then the band played
"My Coal Black Hannah Lady"
Why don't you get a lady of your own.
"All I want is my black baby."
Ev'ry place I hang my hat
is home sweet home.
"I'm happy when I'm by my baby's side."
"I guess that will hold you for a while."
They played: "Well I don't know."
Now take your clothes and go
I'm goin' to live any how till I die.

Then the band played
"My Coal Black Hannah Lady"
Why don't you get a lady of your own.
"All I want is my black baby."
Ev'ry place I hang my hat
is home sweet home.
"I'm happy when I'm by my baby's side."
"I guess that will hold you for a while."
They played: "Well I don't know."
Now take your clothes and go
I'm goin' to live any how till I die.

Soft karaoke
Words
piano 1
piano 2
piano 3
piano 4
lyric
pizz str bass
*
What The Band Played 1903
by John Madison Reid
© MCMIII by Howley Haviland & Dresser - New York & Chicago
*
The blurb says that this is "A coon love song in Reid's
happiest vein and none can outshine this author in writing
coon love songs."
*
sequence & karaoke by James Pitt-Payne, London UK
on Friday 9 March 2012 at 17.57
in association with Veda Meyer-Castens
*