When They Christened Brother Johnson's Child 1914

by James Pitt-Payne, London UK - 6 Nov 2008
2008

You've heard of Jubilees
and swell festivities,
but darktown cut loose
on last Sunday night.
The Johnson family
had all society
down at their house to see
just what a time there'd be,
'cause Daddy Johnson's joy
a bouncing baby boy
was ready to be christened
by old Parson Jones.
They named him Rastus
then Johnson asked us to act
just as if we were home.

There were folks that night
from all over town,
light folks, dark folks,
yellow and brown
and as each guest came twosteppin' in
they served him pork chops hot,
corn chicken legs and gin,
and when they pulled the carpets
up off the floor,
they started ragging
till they all went wild.
They woke up all the neighbours
with their scandalous capers
when they christened
brother Johnson's child.

Folks that night
from all over town,
light folks, dark folks,
yellow and brown
and as each guest came twosteppin' in
they served him pork chops hot,
corn chicken legs and gin,
and when they pulled the carpets
up off the floor,
they started ragging
till they all went wild.
They woke up all the neighbours
with their scandalous capers
when they christened
brother Johnson's child.

You should have seen those swells,
those colored beaus and belles,
The costumes of those coons
were sure some treat.
The Ladies all were dressed
up in their Sunday best.
Each darkies' pants were pressed
they wore their loudest vests
they sung in harmony
and Ragtime Jimmie Lee
played the old piano 'till
the clock struck four.
Although exciting there was no fighting
all razors were checked at the door.

There were folks that night
from all over town,
light folks, dark folks,
yellow and brown
and as each guest came twosteppin' in
they served him pork chops hot,
corn chicken legs and gin,
and when they pulled the carpets
up off the floor,
they started ragging
till they all went wild.
They woke up all the neighbours
with their scandalous capers
when they christened
brother Johnson's child.

Folks that night
from all over town,
light folks, dark folks,
yellow and brown
and as each guest came twosteppin' in
they served him pork chops hot,
corn chicken legs and gin,
and when they pulled the carpets
up off the floor,
they started ragging
till they all went wild.
They woke up all the neighbours
with their scandalous capers
when they christened
brother Johnson's child.

Soft karaoke
Words
piano 1
piano 2
piano 3
piano 4
lyric
pizz str bass
*
When They Christened Brother Johnson's Child 1914
Music by Harry Jentes
Lyrics by William Tracey
© 1914 by J.Fred Helf - New York
*
sequence & karaoke by James Pitt-Payne, London UK
on Wednesday 6 November 2008 at 08.42
in association with Veda Meyer-Castens
*