BLACK BOTTOM
Ray Henderson (m) Lew Brown (l) Buddy De Sylva (l)  1926

as rec by Annette Hanshaw w Irving Brodsky  Red Nichols  
Miff Mole & Jimmy Lytell  
Sep 12th 1926 New York

also rec by-
Johnny Hamp & his Kentucky Serenaders '26
Sam Wooding & his Orch '26
Joe Candullo & his Everglades Orch '26
Frank Harris w Howard Lanin & his Orch '26
Eleuterio Yribarren & his Jazz Band '27
Bunny Berigan & his Orch '37
Paul Whiteman & his Orch '55
Eddie Condon & his Orch
The Denza Dance Band
Bert Firman & his Rhythmic Eight


Oh, the black bottom of the Swanee river
Sometimes like to shake and shiveer,
But it makes the darkies feel like struttin' around, I watchin'!
They found a way to imitate it;
I know they exaggerate it,
But I wish that you could see the dance that they found!
Every high brown gal and her bon-bon buddy
Go down where the tracks are muddy
To do a step that soon will be renowned!

They call it black bottom, a new twister,
Sure got 'em, oh sister!
They clap their hands and do a raggedy trot, it's hot!
Old fellows with lumbago,
With high yellers, away they go!
They jump right in and give it all that they've got!

They say that when the river bottom covered with ooze,
Start in to squirm,
Couples dance, here's the movement they use,
Just like a worm!

Black bottom,
A new rhythm,
When you spot 'em,
You go with 'em!
And do that black black bottom all the day long!

They say that when the river bottom covered with ooze,
Start in to squirm,
Couples dance, here's the movement they use,
Just like a worm!

Black bottom,
A new rhythm,
When you spot 'em,
You go with 'em!
And do that black black bottom all the day long,
All day long, long, all day long!



(Transcribed by Peter Akers - March 2011)