433
Broder Eton Got de Coon
See White ANFS 223. and Steelv 216 (i935>- Dr. White adds:
"l' think the first two stanzas at least are of old minstrel origin.
From Julian P. Boyd, from Catherine Bennett, a pupil of the school at
Alliance, Pamlico county: undated, hut c. 1927-28.
^ This seems to be a mistake for "floor."
520 NORTH CAROLINA FOLKLORE
1 De Lord made de wide world.
And den he made a whale.
And den he made a big raccoon,
Wid a ring around his tail.
Ciiorus:
Broder Eton got de coon !
(ione on, gone on, gone on,
Broder Eton got de coon.
Gone on, left me l)arkin' up a tree!
2 De Lord made a nigger.
He made 'im in de night.
He made 'im in a hurry.
And forgot to make 'ini white.
3 \\'hen I come to die, 1 want to be ready.
Lay me down, straighten my feet,
So I c'n git to heben
By de middle of de week.
4 If I had a needle.
As fine as I could sew,
I'd tack my sweetheart to my side.
And down de road we'd go.
--------------------
433
Broder Eton Got de Coon
'Brother Eben's Got a Coon.' Sung by Walter J. Miller, Trinity College,
Durham, 1919. The title is that given by the singer. The text varies from
that of the printed version. For a similar text cf. FSoA 122, 'Bro' Ephram.'
F-403
Chorus
Broth - er E - ben's got a coon, — And gone on, gone on.
Broth - er E - ben's got a coon, — And gone on, gone on.
Scale: Tetratonic (4). Tonal Center: g. Structure: abab^ (2,2,2,2) = aa^
(4,4). The tonal center is the lowest tone.