The Levee Song
Traditional
Traditional
Note: The second chorus with what would now be considered offensive dialect was actually de riguer for the late 19th century.
It is included here only for historical context, and recognizing this part of history is always important in moving forward.
It is included here only for historical context, and recognizing this part of history is always important in moving forward.
Verse: I once did know a girl named Grace, I'm wukkin' on de levee.
She done bring me to dis sad disgrace O' wukkin' on de levee.
She done bring me to dis sad disgrace O' wukkin' on de levee.
Chorus 1: I been wukkin' on de railroad (or levee) All de live long day;
I been wukkin' on de railroad Ter pass de time away.
Doan yuh hyah de whistle blowin'? Rise up so uhly in de mawn;
Doan yuh hyah de cap'n shoutin', "Dinah blow yo hawn."
I been wukkin' on de railroad Ter pass de time away.
Doan yuh hyah de whistle blowin'? Rise up so uhly in de mawn;
Doan yuh hyah de cap'n shoutin', "Dinah blow yo hawn."
Chorus 2: Sing a song o' the city; roll dat cotton bale;
Niggah aint half so happy as when he's out o' jail.
Norfolk foh its oystah shells, Boston foh its beans,
Chahleston foh its rice an' cawn, But foh niggahs New Awleens.
Niggah aint half so happy as when he's out o' jail.
Norfolk foh its oystah shells, Boston foh its beans,
Chahleston foh its rice an' cawn, But foh niggahs New Awleens.
I've Been Working on the Railroad
Based on The Levee Song and Somebody in the House with Dinah
Based on The Levee Song and Somebody in the House with Dinah
I've been working on the railroad, all the live-long day.
I've been working on the railroad just to pass the time away.
Can't you hear the whistle blowing, Rise up so early in the morn;
Can't you hear the captain shouting, "Dinah, blow your horn!"
I've been working on the railroad just to pass the time away.
Can't you hear the whistle blowing, Rise up so early in the morn;
Can't you hear the captain shouting, "Dinah, blow your horn!"
Dinah won't you blow, Dinah won't you blow, Dinah won't you blow your ho-o-orn;
Dinah won't you blow, Dinah won't you blow, Dinah won't you blow your horn?
Dinah won't you blow, Dinah won't you blow, Dinah won't you blow your horn?
Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah, Someone's in the kitchen I kno-o-o-ow,
Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah, Strumming on the old banjo;
Someone's in the kitchen with Dinah, Strumming on the old banjo;
And singing, Fee, Fi, Fidel-e-i-o, Fee, Fi, Fidel-e-i-o-o-o-o,
Fee, Fi, Fidel-e-i-ooooo, Strumming on the old banjo.
Fee, Fi, Fidel-e-i-ooooo, Strumming on the old banjo.
