"Waiting For The Robert E. Lee"

Empire Military Band

1912

Vocal by Harry Cove

Words are by L. Wolfe Gilbert (Louis Wolfe Gilbert--he lived from 1886 to 1970).

Music is by Lewis F. Muir (1884-1950).

Way down on the levee in old Alabamy,
There's daddy and mammy--there's Efran and Sammy.
On a moonlight night you can find them all.
While they are waiting, the banjos are syncopating.

What's that they're saying? Oh, they're all a-praying
While they keep playing I'm humming and swaying.
It's the good ship Robert E. Lee that's come to carry the cotton away.

Watch them shuffle along.
See them shuffling along.
Go take your best gal (you mean your real pal?)--go down to the levee.
Did you say the levee?
Yes, join that shuffling throng.
Hear that music and song.
It's simply great, mate, waiting on the levee,
Waiting for the Robert E. Lee.

The whistles am blowing--the smokestacks are showing.
The ropes they are throwing. Excuse me--I'm going!
To the place where all is harmonious.
Even the preacher--he is the dancing teacher.
Have you been down there? Never was around there.

If you ever go there, you'll never leave there.
Why, doggone, here comes my baby on the good old Robert E. Lee.

Watch them shuffle along.
See them shuffling along.
Go take your best gal (you mean your real pal?)--go down to the levee.
I said the levee.
Join the shuffling throng.
Hear the music and song.

It's simply great, mate, waiting on the levee,
Waiting for the Robert E. Lee.