The minstrel performers lived in a world of imagination. Some of the lyrics in their songs are as outlandish as their costumes. Here is an example of a poem I copied out of an 1880 called �Dat Golden Chariot� Songster by Lawell & Drews. It is a cute poem of how the banjo was invented. There are many variations of this story. I have recorded it as a song on my �Minstrel Banjo� CD about the same subject but, with different lyrics. I took the liberty in a few places to carefully correct any �Politically Incorrect� words so no �blue nose� will be shocked and have a heart attack at reading such a dreadful stuff! I don�t want it thought that I�m not sensitive and civilized in these �politically correct� times. How dreadfull indeed! So this poem will be of social redeeming value, there are a couple of old time banjo terms that need to be learnt. Yes, learnt. The �apron� mentioned is an old-time term for a tailpiece and the �Thimble� is what they used to call a fingerpick for playing the knock-down, stroke style now called clawhammer or frailing with the back of your finger as is done today. HOW THE BANJO WAS INVENTED
Oh, have you
never heard
It�s about old
Noah and de ark,
De ark she kep a
sailin�.
Now Ham, de only
black man*
He wet de
leather, stretched it on,
Now, de possum
had as fine a tail,
He strung it,
tuned her, struck a jig,
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