Lyrics:
First verse
Honey put your best clothes on and we'll go down to the levee, Now don't be slow, All the folks will be there from ev'rywhere, Even Old Black Joe, The lanterns are a-glow Oh! hear that whistle blow, That's the good ship ""Nancy Lee,"" All the boys on the plantation will assist, the celebration, There's going' to be some jubilee.
Chorus
When it’s cotton pickin’ time down in Alabam’ The folks out there are all gay, For work with them is like play, Oh! how they fill you with cheer and keep a smilin’ from ear to ear, So fascinating, When work is done the fun is just begun, Lordy but those darkies sure can hum, Just watch them keep in time, to the good old banjo’s chime, In the land of cotton work is then forgotten, When it’s cotton pickin’ time. When it’s cotton pickin’ time down in Alabam’ The folks out there are all gay, For work with them is like play, Oh! how they fill you with cheer and keep a smilin’ from ear to ear, So fascinating, When work is done the fun is just begun, Lordy but those darkies sure can hum, Just watch them keep in time, to the good old banjo’s chime, In the land of cotton work is then forgotten, When it’s cotton pickin’ time.
Second verse
Ev’ryone feels happy down in Alabam’ That’s the only place that am, When you’re feeling blue, there’s only one thing to do, Go listen to that band, There’s something ‘bout it fills your lonesome heart with glee, Shake your feet they want liberty, First you start a prancin’ and then you’re off a dancin’ At the southern jubilee.
(Chorus)
Sheldon Harris Collection
