American Old Time Song Lyrics: 27 The Coons Christmas Dinner

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 27

THE COONS' CHRISTMAS DINNER.
Copyright, I890, by Jos. Thome.
Words and Music by John Demond.

I received an invitation to attend a Christmas dinner
That was given by some colored folks in eighteen eighty-eight,
I chalked my paper collar, polished up my beaver,
Started and arrived there on the very day and date.
I rang the door-bell gently, Angelina came and opened.
She says to me "Kind Sir, you have just come here in time "-
She took my hat and Ulster, and she hung it in the hallway,
Then she took me in the parlor, which was furnished very fine.
There the guests were chatting merrily, with joy the music rang,
And after I was introduced these am the words I sang:

Chorus.
Oh, Christmas comes but once a year, let every one be gay,
Lots of whiskey, gin, and beer we're going to give away;
Food a-plenty for to eat. cooked by ole Sall Skinner,
She am de colored individual dat cooked dat Christmas dinner.

The first Coon dat I recognized when I went in the parlor
Was ole Jimmy Parker making love to big, fat Hester Brown,
Den I saw Melindy Jackson, dressed up in installments,
Hair done up in yellow ribbon, just to take the town.
Den a I saw ole Edgar smiling says he: "Jim. my bunions hurt me.
But I 'spect to have a good time with the darkies just the same"-
Uncle Rufus introduced me to a coon down in Georgia.
'Spect his name was ole Ben Harrison or Morton or Jimmy Blaine.
There the guests were chatting merrily, with joy the music rang,
And after I was introduced these am the words I sang: Chorus.