Cotton Blossom
Jerome Kern Lyrics

Here we all work on de Mississippi
We all work on the Mississippi River doing manual labor jobs.

Here we all work while de white folks play,
We work while the white folks enjoy their leisure time.

Loadin' up boots wid de bales of cotton,
We load up the boats with the heavy bales of cotton.

Gettin' no rest till de Judgement Day.
We work tirelessly with no breaks until our last judgement day.

Drop dat bale and have some fun!
Let's put down the heavy bales of cotton and have fun together.

Dere's a lot o' lovin' on de levee for you
There's plenty of opportunities to enjoy love and romance on the levee.

Y' work all day, y' get no fun~
You work all day and have no time for enjoyment.

We know somethin' better for a feller to do!
We know there are better things for a man to do than work all day with no fun.

Cotton Blossom, Cotton Blossom,
The Cotton Blossom is being addressed and admired.

Love to see you growin' free.
We love to see the Cotton Blossoms growing naturally without any human intervention.

When dey pack you on de levee
When the Cotton Bales are packed on the levee,

You're a heavy load to me!
They become very heavy and difficult to handle.

To Southern beauty
Southern belles are being complimented.

Ev'ry beau must bow!
Every gentleman is expected to show respect by bowing.

How you love to flatter,
The men are accused of flattery.

You rogues! You rogues!
They are playfully addressed as rogues.

Oh, goodness gracious!
They are teasing the men, acting as though they are scandalized.

They're so flirtatious!
The men are being accused of being too flirtatious.

You naughty fellows
The men are being called naughty.

Seem to think you please us
The men think they are pleasing the women.

When you tease us so~
When they tease the women like this.

You're a reckless
You are acting recklessly.

Lot we know!
We are aware of your tactics.

Little women, don't be timorous!
Women are being encouraged to be less hesitant and fearful.

You will find, acting thus
You will find, by behaving in this manner.

Only makes a man more bold!
It makes the men even bolder and more forward.

These are not the days of old!
These are different times than in the past.

Captain Andy's "Cotton Blossom"
Captain Andy's riverboat is named the Cotton Blossom.

Will you go?
Would you like to go?

Let me take you to the show!
Allow me to take you to the performance.

But to rightfully accept,
In order to accept it properly,

I have to make mama
I have to ask my mother first.

Get permission from papa!
And get permission from my father.

Captain Andy has gathered a troupe
Captain Andy has assembled a group of performers.

In the grandest of drammers and jolly comedies,
They are performing the most entertaining and extravagant dramas and comedies.

Stephen Baker, the handsomest leading man,
Stephen Baker is the most handsome leading actor.

And beautiful Julie Laverne as well!
Julie Laverne is also very beautiful.

Captain Andy's Floating Show!
Captain Andy's riverboat is a traveling show.

Thrills and laughter
The show is full of excitement and humor.

Concert after
The performers will continue to entertain the audience.

Ev'rybody's sure to go!
Everyone is sure to attend and enjoy it.

Get your girl and go!
Bring your significant other and go to the show together.