Old Dan Tucker
(Alternately: Dan Tucker, Ole Dan Tucker)

For information on this song as part of the blackface minstrel tradition, please see
its page in The Juba Project's Minstrelsy Database.

For an alternate interpretation of this song, see Minstrels in the Parlour -- another item in this project's 'Artists Respond to Juba' section.

Credits

Andrew Dale, vocals; Tom Power, banjo; Kate Bevan-Baker, fiddle; Mark Turner tambourine; Justin Merdsoy, sound technician.

Lyrics

I come to town de oder night, I heard a noise I saw a sight,
De white folks ‘sembled all around, Kase Dan Tucker’d come to Town.

Old Tucker didn’t come from Guinea, But he lib’d in old Virginny;
He us’d to eat up so much fat, His head got so big dat he couldn’t wear a hat.

Old Dan Tucker wanted to Marry, Dar was no Gal would for him tarry.
He went a-courting ebery day, But de Gals dey all said, git out ob de way.

Old Dan Tucker he got mad, Bekase dey treated him so bad;
And in a fit ob Jealousy, He put some poison in his Shooshong Tea.

I tink old Dan was very unlucky, He died, way down in Old Kentucky;
Whar he’s laid dar’s none can say. To poor Old Dan, now git out ob de way.

Chorus
Git out ob de way, Old Dan Tucker, Git out ob de way, Old Dan Tucker
Git out ob de way, Old Dan Tucker, You’re too late to come to your supper.

Publication Information

Publisher: unknown