Waiting for the Robert E. Lee lyrics

Waiting for the Robert E. Lee lyrics — music by Lewis F. Muir, lyrics by L. Wolfe Gilbert

Performed by Al Jolson in The Jolson Story, as well as hundreds of other places

Way down on the levy in old Alabamy
There’s Daddy and Mammy
There’s Ephraim and Sammy
On a moonlight night you can find them all
While they are waiting,
The banjos are syncopatin’

What’s that they’re sayin’?
What’s that they’re sayin’?
While they keep playin’
A hummin’ and swayin’
It’s the good ship Robert E. Lee that’s come to carry the cotton away!

Watch them shuff-lin’ along,
See them shuff-lin’ along!
Go take your best gal, real pal
Go down to the levy, I said to the levy,
And join that shuff-lin’ throng
Hear that music and song!
It’s simply great, mate, waitin’ on the levy
Waitin’ for the Robert E. Lee!

The whistles are blowin’, the smokestacks are showin’
The ropes they are throwin’, excuse me I’m goin’
To the place where all is harmonious
Even the preacher, he is the dancin’ teacher!

Have you been down there?
Were you around there?
If you ever go there you’ll always be found there,
Why, dog-gone, here comes my baby
On the good old Robert E. Lee!

Watch them shuff-lin’ along,
See them shuff-lin’ along
Go take your best gal, real pal
Go down to the levy, I said to the levy,
And join that shuff-lin’ throng
Hear that music and song!
It’s simply great, mate, waitin’ on the levy
Waitin’ for the Robert E. Lee!