MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM
Ma Rainey

Ma Rainey  rec 1927


(Now, you heard the rest,
Ah Boys, I'm gonna show you the best;
Ma Rainey's gonna show you her black bottom!)

Way down south in Alabamy,
I got a friend that's called Dancin' Sammy,
Who's crazy about all the latest dances,
Black bottom stomps and the new baby prances.

The other night at a swell affair,
Soon as the boys found out that I was there,
They said, "Come on Ma, let's go to the cabaret",
When I'm there you oughta me say;

Wanna see the dance they call the black bottom,
I wanna learn that dance!
Want to see the dance you call your big black bottom;
They put them in a dance.

All the boys in the neighbourhood,
They say your black bottom is really good!
Come on and show me your black bottom,
I want to learn that dance!

I want to see the dance they call the black bottom,
I want to learn that dance!
Come on and show the dance you call your big black bottom;
It puts you in a trance!

Early last mornin', bout the break of day,
Grandpa told my grandma, heard him say,
"Get up and show an old man your black bottom,
I want to learn that dance!".

Now I'm gonna show y'all my black bottom!
They stayed to see that dance!
Wait until you see me do my big black bottom
That puts you in a trance!

(Ah, do it ma, do it honey!
Look out there Ma, you're gettin' kinda rough there!
But be yourself now, careful now!
Not too strong, not too strong Ma!)

I done showed you my black bottom,
You ought to learn that dance!




(Transcribed by Peter Akers - February 2011)