202
The Little Black Mustache
Clearly a music-hall production, this has established itself more
or less as folk song, especially in the South. It has been reported
from Virginia (FSV 177), Kentucky (FSMEU 210-11), Tennessee
(BTFLS IV 76), North Carolina (JAFL xlv 116-17), Mississippi
(JAFL xxxix 159-60), Texas (PFLST vi 231-2), the Ozarks
(OFS III 125-30). and Iowa (MAFLS xxix 85-6). The texts
in our collection vary slightly, but not enough to justify printing
more than one.
480 NORTH CAROLINA FOLKLORE
A
'The Little Black Mustache. From the manuscript of Mrs. Mary Mar-
tin Copley, Route 8, Durham ; obtained by Jesse T. Carpenter.
1 Oh, once I had a chaniiing beau, I loved him dear as Hfe,
And I thought that the time would surely come when I
could he his wife.
His pockets they were full of gold, and, oh! I cut a dash
With a diamond ring and a watch and chain, with a darling
black mustache.
Clion{s:
That little black mustache, that darling black mustache ;
Oh, every time I think of it my heart lieats quick and
fast.
That little black mustache, that darling black mustache ;
Oh, now you know I had a beau with a darling black
mustache.
2 He often came on Saturday night and stayed till after
three.
He told me he never loved a girl as well as he loved me.
Now, my ladies, take my advice and never be so rash
To fall in love with any boy that wears a black mustache.
3 There came an old maid there, she was worth her weight
in gold;
She wore false hair, she wore false teeth, she was forty-
five years old.
And [my] young man deserted me for that old maid's
cash.
And then he pressed upon her lips that darling black
mustache.
B
'Black Mustache.' From W. Amos Abrams, Boone, Watauga county.
C
'The Black Mustache.' From Gertrude Allen (Mrs. Vaught), Taylors-
ville, Alexander county.
D
'The Little Black Mustache.' Taken from the manuscripts of G. S. Rob-
inson of Asheville in August I939- This adds two lines of advice:
And now, young girls, take my advice and never be so rash
As to fall in love with any gent that has a black mustache.
E
•That Little Black Mustache.' From O L. Coffey of Shull's Mills,
Watauga county. The manuscript bears the notation : "Recorded in . . .
for the . . . Co.," which probably means that it is obtainable as a
phonograph record.
F
'Little Black Mustache.' From the John Burch Blaylock Collection.
--------------------------
202
The Little Black Mustache
'The Little Black Mustache.' Sung by Dr. L G. Greer. Recorded at the singer's
home, where the present editor visited him in 1954. For other references and
texts cf. FSoA 20; FSSH 295-7; FSSM 478. The chorus of this version uses
only the last two lines of that given in 11 480.
Scale : Heptachordal. Tonal Center: c. Structure: aa^aa^bc (4,4,4,4,4,4) =
aa^b (8,8,8) = mm^n (barform). The c of the smaller subdivision is related
to al.