When I used to work upon the Levee,
Many happy darkies there you see:
Cotton coming in so very heavy:
Oh! jolly! there was lots of work for me:
Black man hauling in the cargo:
Sun am very hot upon the head;
When he done, he dance a jolly jargo:
Rum tum! on the banjo, and then to bed!
To my oakum, to my chokum,
Oh! Pompey, can't you pick a peck of oakum?
Ah! ah! ah! golly! aint the Levee-worker free!
Working on the cotton boat, ten shilling a day.
Johnny, can't you pick upon the banjo:
Oh, me! oh, my! mamma, mamma, mamma, why don't hear the baby cry?
Oh, me! oh, my! ah mamma, mamma, mamma, don't you hear the baby cry?
When I used to work off in the river,
Sat in wood and water all the day:
Chilly wind he come, and make me shiver:
O glad this child he was to get away!
White man he gave me silver dollar,
Ev'ry day I work upon the dock;
Then I get some whiskey, and I holler:
Blom'e, blome, Caterrego rock!
This child is fond of frigh'd tatoe,
Cat-fish, and coffee: oh! it's nice;
It make him feel just like an alligator,
When him just about to catch a mice.
When the bell he rings, I go to dinner;
Den I goes and see my Dinah dear;
I'll marry her, as sure as I'm a sinner,
And love her all the days that's in the year.