New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-26
BLACH AMERICA AGAIN.

The readers OF The Tribune will recall that thh
Journal has expressed the opinion that there 10
something very far out OF the ordinary Indeed In
IN. singing OF the chorus IN the entertainment
called Black America" The transfer Of that
tertalnment from the open air to the ampnltheare
OF the Madison Square Garden has brought with Il
n curtai.ment OF OF It's inconsequential feat.
ures but given greater effectiveness to the music,
which has been from the beginning the mos, In
teresting and effective element In the representa-
ton II is to be regretted for more than reason
that the musical programme has so large an ad-
mixture OF songs which had their origin on the
minstrel stage Instead OF the plantations. II would
be a gratifying thing to be able 10 recommend the
entertainment as Illustration OF Afro-Amercan
folk song instead OF pointing TO 1t as chiefly
qualification OF the innate gifts Of the black peopls
as singers The singing OF the choir invites curious
attention, not only for It's wonderful precision mar
vellous vitality and unique quality OF tone but also
because OF ITS demonstration Of the potency o. what
might be called naturalsm IN the choir. Not all
the songs sung equally well: indeed. some Of
them. particularly those IN which solo singers
poit themselves are carIcaturei In the perform.
ance. AS a rule these songs those which are
called negro songs only by courtesy. Sometimes
they Initiate the sentiments and musical character
istics OF the genuine songs but this fact does no.
seem TO bring them sufficiently within the sympa-
thies OF the singers to secure for them that un-
feigned naturalness OF expression which marka
Desc Bones Shall Rise Again." for instance. Con.
sldering how irresstibly music OF this character
surges along how perfect I'm the phrasIng how over.
wheming the sense OF power compelled by rs abb
so.ute and perfect reposefulness. II Is passing
strange to hear songs which. in the popular mind.
are nseparably associated with the black people
OF America such as "Oid Folks at Home" "Massas
IN the Cold. Cold Ground" and "Old Back joe"
robbed OF ell their effectiveness by a choppng-up Of
phrases a distortion OF sentiment and disregard
OF fuency and homogenelty OF tone that would seem
to be impossible to the singers who disclose 80
many virtues In the other songs The explanation
Is not easy but the phenomenon IL indsputabe. and
appears again in the closing number OF the pro-
gramme where the real merits OF The choir shine
out In John Browns body Les ANNOUNCING In the
grave" but are absent from all the other songs
One of the most amusing Of the songs sung by
the choir Is that called "Watermelon Smiling on
the Vine" Its music has a rhythmic incisiveness
which charms the African. whether he be OF Amer-
can birth aboriginal. and 1t IS always sung with
tremendous energy and vim. Here are the words:
oh! see that watermelon come smiling through the
How wish that watermelon was mine;
While that watermelons smiling on the vine.
Refrain
Ismbone am sweet bacon is good
on sya me- Is h Give me Oh how wish YOU would
That watermelon smiling on the vine.
Concerning the origin or authorship 0, this oddly
we know nothing. 1t may have come from the
minstrel stage and it may be- creation Of the
colored people themselves. In either case Il
to be going through some of the transitions which
belong to the Of fo!k-song \ year ago
friend OF the writer heard the Song sung by
club that had been organized among the walters
Of hotel in Hot Springs Va. The song
pleased him. and he got one OF the singers 10 write
down the words that he might send them to The
Tribune's music reviewer From photographed and
prosodlc points of view the result was at first
bewildering in the extreme but it became apparent
by a little study that In the mouths Of this com.
pany Of singers the song had taken this form:
Refrain.
Hambone Ii sweet. bacon IL sweet.
'Possum meat Is fine and very fine
Give me- oh, give me! really wish you would.
The watermelon hanging on the vine.
You may talk about your mean coon am one or
Carry a razor in my coat and the pocket OF my
Stab that Niger to his heart put ring around
White folks says I'm foolish. that niger ought 70
be dead!
You may talk about your peaches, your apples ana
And 70 Your re' persmmons hanging the 'simmon
God bless my honey will leave 4 all for Sou'
For the watermelon is the fruit Tor me.
When I cut that melon it gives me great delight.
The meat red you know II ought 10 nech
I went through trbulation just to get that fruit,
Don't you know that melon ought 10 Deeh hhhe'
When went TO git that melon 1t was on a RAINY
The moon had not begun to shine,
The white folks me come there they shot NV
through the fence,
But did not leave that melon on the 'ihe'