Arthur Collins (3) -- My Charcoal Charmer

Recorded on February 2, 1901.
Victor 3074.

[JamesIrwinss]

What a quaint song, surprising that Collins didn’t use any terrible slurs.

[JamesIrwinss]

Lyrics:

My Charcoal Charmer
Sung by Arthur Collins

When the darkness comes a-creepin’
And the stars begin a-peepin’
When the moon is just commencin’ for a shine
Such an awful anxious feelin’
Comes around my heart a stealin’
As I look out in the darkness for a sign
Then a light begins to quiver
Far across the muddy river
In a cabin by the Mississippi shore
And a banjo starts a-strummin
As I catch myself a hummin’
To my lady love the one that I adore

My charcoal charmer
My dusky bell
I love you more than some can tell
When stars are shining
Of you I dream
My charcoal charmer
My midnight queen

When the frogs begin a-croakin’
Like as if they all was chokin’
Then I’ll long to press your ruby lips to mine
But I ain’t as good as runnin’
As your daddy is at gunnin’
And when it comes to dyin’ I decline
So I’ll offer no resistance
But just love you at long distance
For I knows you is the apple of his eye
And I’ll keep my heart a-yearnin’
If you leave your love light burnin’
Till I meet you honey—meet you by and by

My charcoal charmer
My dusky bell
I love you more than some can tell
When stars are shining
Of you I dream
My charcoal charmer
My midnight queen

[ramonasidneybaker]

Piano accompaniment probably by Fred Hylands. That syncopation sounds like Hylands more than Frank P. Banta