When Chloe Sings a Song (1899)

[Disclaimer: The derogatory terms, images, and ideas that appear in this sheet music is not condoned by Sheet Music Singer. They do represent the attitudes of a number of Americans at the time the song was published. As such, it is hoped that this performance can aid students of music, history, and other disciplines to better understand popular American culture and racial stereotypes from the 19th- and early 20th-centuries.] Lyrics: 1. Dar is music in de banjo when it sounds Dar is music in de whistle ob de breeze Dar is music fo' creation on de whole ob dis plantation Dar is music in de buzzin' ob de bees But de sweetes music ever dat I hear Is de sound de soft breeze to me gently brings In tones so clear to my listenin' ear When my Chloe, my sweet Chloe sings Refrain: Do yo' hear dem tones a-comin' Wid de ole banjo a strummin' Why de bees dey stop dere hummin' When dey hears ‘em come along O'er de whole o' dis plantation It's de cause ob a sensation Sweetes music in creation Is when Chloe sings a song 2. Dar is music in de tambourine and bones Dar is music in de fiddle and de bow Dar is lively music eber when the steamer down de riber Comes along an' lets her loudes' whistle blows But de darkies come around fo' miles an' miles It is wonderful de crowd it always brings Wif ev'ry chile's face wreathed in smiles When my Chloe, my sweet Chloe sings 3. Dar is music when de red birds chirp and sing And de oriole is whistling on his nest Dar is music in de tingle ob de rain upon de shingle When in de cabin all have gone to rest But dar's not a bird in air or in de trees Dar is not a bird dat flies around on wings Wif tones as sweet as dem you meet When my Chloe, dat gal Chloe sings ---------------------------------------------- words by Harry Bache Smith music by John Stromberg published by Weber Fields & Stromberg This catchy tune is heavily syncopated. The lyrics are filled with dialect slang. Songs like this were instant favorites at the turn of the century when ragtime was new. sung by sheet music singer Fred Feild Get the sheet music and MIDI at: https://sheetmusicsinger.com/highbrownsongs/when-chloe-sings-a-song/