(or Johnson & Dixon)
A popular song from 1902
Words and music by Hughie Cannon
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. Ben Johnson and Mose Dixon lived in Nashville, Tennessee
Dixon was one cornfed coon and just as lazy as he could be
He finally coaxed poor Johnson for to travel on the road
Johnson’s head commenced to swell
And it swelled up like a poisoned toad
They started out from Nashville, at the rising of the sun
Expect to ‘rive in New Orleans, well about half after one
And Dixon said, “Den we’ll go ahead”
But Johnson balked and here’s what he said
Chorus:
“If I get back to Nashville, Tennessee
Dere’ll be no more dat trouping gag for me
Nice way to treat a cornfed coon
Think I’ll thump piano in a big saloon
If I get back to Nashville, Tennessee”
2. Dey jumped up to Savannah for to join a minstrel troupe
Got there just ’bout one day late
And they were both left in the soup
Dese coons was nearly starving, well it was one mortal sin
Dixon kidded Johnson so he said, “Dixon, well I’m all in”
Well, Johnson started back for home
For a journey ’bout a thousand miles
He took one lovely boxcar ride
Wid a jitney by the name of Jiles
One winter’s morning they prowled ahead
Poor old Ben Johnson to Jiles he said