Mississippi Mud

By Harry Barris

1927

Harry Barris, composer of this joyous Roaring '20s tune, was a member of the Rhythm Boys, the vocal group that accompanied Paul Whiteman's orchestra and also included a very young Bing Crosby. The Rhythm Boys introduced the song with Whiteman's band, also featuring the legendary Bix Beiderbecke on cornet. It remained popular in later years, although with the original derogatory term "darkies" changed to "people". It appeared in an early episode of M*A*S*H, and has even proven a popular children's song, performed by The Muppets and Alvin & The Chipmunks.

Lyrics:

When the sun goes down, the tide goes out, 
The people gather 'round and they all begin to shout,
"Hey! Hey! Uncle Dud,
It's a treat to beat your feet on the Mississippi Mud.
It's a treat to beat your feet on the Mississippi Mud".

What a dance do they do!
Lordy, how I'm tellin' you
They don't need no band
They keep time by clappin' their hand
Just as happy as a cow chewin' on a cud,
When the darkies beat their feet on the Mississippi Mud.

Lordy, how they play it!
Goodness, how they sway it!
Uncle Joe, Uncle Jim,
How they pound the mire with vigor and vim!
Joy! that music thrills me!
Boy! it nearly kills me!
What a show when they go!
Say! they beat it up either fast or slow.

When the sun goes down, the tide goes out,
The people gather 'round and they all begin to shout,
"Hey! Hey! Uncle Dud,
It's a treat to beat your feet on the Mississippi Mud.
It's a treat to beat your feet on the Mississippi Mud".

What a dance do they do!
Lordy, how I'm tellin' you
They don't need no band
They keep time by clappin' their hand.
Just as happy as a cow chewin' on a cud.
When the darkies beat their feet on the Mississippi Mud.

Recorded By:

Dean Martin
Ray Charles
The Lennon Sisters
Eydie Gorme
Dinah Shore