[Dixielandjazz] Protest Songs

[dwlit at cpcug.org]

Steve Barbone wrote:
> The first exception may well be "That's Why They Call Me Shine" written in
> 1910 for the black theater circuit, and made famous again by Armstrong in
> the 1920s, before Black & Blue was written.
>
> It will take some digging for interested parties to find out about
> "signifying" and the full story behind the song, and its original lyrics
> but is well worth the effort.
> Steve Barbone
>

Here's the lyrics to the 1910 version; like "Black and blue",
the verse tells all. The 1924 sheet music has completely different lyrics.

Verse:
1.  (When) I was born they   christened me plain
   Samuel Johnson   Brown.// I
Hadn't grown so   very tall, 'fore
   some folks in this   town.// Had
Changed it 'round to   "Sambo"; I was
   "Rastus" to a   few.//Then
"Chocolate Drop" was   added by some
   others that I   knew.// And
Then to cap the   climax, I was
   strolling down the   line// when
Someone shouted,   "Fellas, hey! Come
   on and pipe the   shine!"// But
I don't care a   bit.// Here's    how I figure   it://|

2.  (A)  Rose they say, by   any other
   name would smell as   sweet,// Why
Ev'ry thing that's   precious from a
   gold piece to a   dime.// And
Diamonds, pearls and   rubies ain't no
   good unless they   shine.// So
When these clever   people call me
   shine or coon or   smoke,// I
Simply smile then   smile some more and
  vote them all a   joke,// I'm
Thinking just the   same,// What   is there in a   name.//|

Chorus:
| 'Cause//   / my hair is   curly,//   ///|
|'Cause//   / my teeth are   pearly,//   ///|
Just| be-|   cause| I|   always/ wear   /a smile,
Like| to|   dress| up|   in the/ lat-   /est style,/
------------------------------------
|'Cause//    /I'm glad I'm   living,//   ///|
Take trou-/bles   smiling, never   whine.///   /|Just be-
Cause// my   color's shady,   slight-//ly   different maybe,
That's why/ they    call/ me/  "shine".///   //||.

--Sheik