Hollywood Dance Orch. Irving Kaufman Oh, Dem Golden Slippers Roaring 20's.MP4

This old 19th Century minstrel song, composed by James A Bland (1854-1911), is dressed up in late 20's or early 30's glad rags for this arrangement. It's on Conqueror which I believe is one of the ARC labels, but I've not been able to find a listing for it in Rust's Discography. "Hollywood Dance Orch." is pseudonym for literally hundreds of groups, Irving Kaufman sings the vocal--but if anyone knows who it might be with greater clarification, please let me know! It's label No. 7580. My first experience of hearing it was my paternal grandmother, who was born in 1876, singing it as she sat in her rocker by the fire.

A minstrel show song set in the style of a spiritual, the song is apparently a parody of the spiritual "Golden Slippers", popularized after the American Civil War by the Fisk Jubilee Singers. Today "Oh, Dem Golden Slippers" is often referred to simply as "Golden Slippers", further obscuring the original spiritual.

The song's first stanza tells of the protagonist setting aside such fine clothes as golden slippers, a long-tailed coat and a white robe for a chariot ride in the morning (presumably to Heaven).

This leads to the refrain: Oh, dem golden slippers! / Oh, dem golden slippers! / Golden slippers I'm gwine to wear, because dey look so neat; / Oh, dem golden slippers! / Oh, dem golden slippers! / Golden slippers Ise gwine to wear, / To walk de golden street.

The second stanza describes the protagonist meeting up with other family members after his chariot ride. In the third, the protagonist tells children to prepare themselves for their own chariot ride.

The composer of the great minstrel show tunes, Carry Me Back to Old Virginny, In the Evening By the Moonlight, De Golden Wedding and Oh Dem Golden Slippers, James A. Bland was born on October 22, 1854 in Flushing, New York.

During childhood, Bland's father, one of the first Negroes to receive a college education, was appointed examiner in the U. S. Patent Office, the first Negro to hold that post and the family moved to Washington D.C., where James attended Public School.

James developed his ear for music singing and writing his own compositions to a banjo accompaniment. As a teenager, he became a page in the U.S. House of Representatives and often performed before members of the Manhattan Club, and at homes of other Washington notables.

After high school, James and his father both enrolled in Howard University; James to study Liberal Arts, and his father to study Law. James graduated at age 19 and his main ambition was to become a stage performer. He applied for positions with some Minstrel groups but was turned down, because they preferred white men playing in blackface. In 1875, he got his first job with Billy Kersands all-negro minstrel group. For the next several years he toured the U.S. with Kersands group and other companies including Callender's Original Georgia Minstrels (managed by the Frohman Bros).

In 1881, James traveled to England as a member of the Callender-Haverly Minstrels. They were very popular and were highlighted before Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales. At that time, he was making about $10,000 a year, which was quite a bit of money for those years, but Bland was careless about his money. Penniless, he managed to return to the U.S. where a friend got him a job in Washington, D.C. From there he moved to Philadelphia, PA, where he died from tuberculosis on May 5, 1911.

James Bland was buried in an unmarked grave in a part of the negro cemetary in Merion, PA. In 1939. ASCAP found his gravesite, landscaped it and erected a monument.

In 1940, the Virginial State Legislature made "Carry Me Back To Old Virginny" the official state song.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Hollywood
• Dance
• Orch.
• Irving
• Kaufman
• Oh
• Dem
• Golden
• Slippers
• Roaring
• 20's

[mhp2506]

Is this song the song from "Little Lord Fauntleroy"?

[VictrolaJazz]

@mhp2506 I don't know--if I can find out, I'll let you know. Thanks!

[jhavent]

Classic American Racism at its finest! During this time period, blacks were constantly denied the freedom of literacy, but mocked in songwriting vernacular. What a wonderful society. [sarcasm]

[VictrolaJazz]

@jhavent Well this was my parents' (born in 1898 and 1902) society and they did consider it wonderful. This so-called "racist" song was written by James A. Bland (1854-1911), an African American, who also composed Carry Me Back to Old Virginny. I can remember in the early 50's my paternal grandmother singing this song while sitting in her rocker by the fire. I think it's wrong to judge every era's habits by today's standards.

[EdisonSquirrel]

According to the On-Line Discography the vocalist is Irving Kaufman.

[VictrolaJazz]

Thanks--I was going to consult On-Line and forgot about it. Seems like the last time I accessed it you now need a password? Everything seems to have to be made complicated!

[jhavent]

I am very aware of James A. Bland and his black face minstrel shows. I willing to bet Bland had to follow suite in order to gain mainstream appeal. Even if it means exploiting your own culture. These politics in modern American entertainment are in effect today. Turn on your TV. Nonetheless, the standards of today are shockingly similar to those of the past.

But, I am not here to ruin a classic song you and your family cherish. :)