O, Dem Golden Slippers

Every Mummer and Mummers fan knows the tune to this song. But not everyone knows the words. The unofficial theme song of the Mummers Parade, it was written by the African-American Philadelphian James A. Bland in 1879.

Oh my golden slippers am laid away,
Kase I don't 'spect to wear 'em till my weddin' day,
And my long-tail'd coat, dat I lov'd so well,
I will wear up in de chariot in de morn.

An my long, white robe dat I bought last June,
I'm gwine to git changed kase it fits too soon,
An de old grey hoss dat I used to drive,
I will hitch him to de chariot in de morn.

Refrain

Oh, dem golden slippers!
Oh, dem golden slippers!
Golden slippers I'm gwine to wear,
Becase dey look so neat.

Oh, dem golden slippers!
Oh, dem golden slippers!
Golden slippers I'se gwine to wear,
To walk de golden street.

Oh, my ole banjo hangs on de wall,
Kase it ain't been tuned since way last fall,
But de darks all say we will hab a good time,
When we ride up in de chariot in de morn.

Dar's ole Brudder Ben and Sister Luce,
Dey will telegraph de news to Uncle Bacco Juice,
What a great camp-meetin' der will be dat day,
When we ride up in de chariot in de morn.

Refrain

So, it's good bye, children, I will have to go
Whar de rain don't fall or de wind don't blow,
And yer ulster coats, why, yer will not need,
When yer ride up in de chariot in de morn.

But yer golden slippers must be nice and clean,
And yer age must be just sweet sixteen,
And yer white kid gloves yer will have to wear,
When yer ride up in de chariot in de morn.

Refrain