From the recording Nine Decades of Jazz featuring Billy Wallace
Dark Town Strutters’ Ball (1917) When Billy and I were talking about doing this recording, I took an old song to him by Alberta Hunter, an American blues singer and songwriter who had a successful career from early 1920’s to the late 1950’s. While the recording was playing, Billy played along with it. He told me that his father and mother used to sing this song. It brought back sweet memories of his parents who he dearly loved. It fit into the earliest decade for this album “Nine Decades of Jazz”. Every time Billy hears it he claps his hands in time.
Lyrics
I'll be round to get you in a taxi, honey
Pick you up 'bout half past eight
Oh honey don't be late
I want to be there when the band starts playin'
Remember when we get there, honey
Two step, we're gonna have a ball
I'm gonna dance out of my shoes
When they play the Jelly Roll Blues
Tomorrow night at the Darktown Strutter's Ball
I'll be down to get you in a hybrid, honey
Pick you up 'bout half past eight
Oh honey don't be late
I want to be there when the band starts playin'
Remember when we get there honey
Two step, we're gonna have a ball
I'm gonna dance out of my shoes
When they play those jelly roll blues
Tomorrow night at the Darktown Strutter's
Tomorrow night at the Darktown Strutter's
Tomorrow night at the Darktown Strutter's ball.