I nebber see de like since I bin born, When a railroad navvy wid his sea-boots on, Says, “Johnny come down to Hilo, Poor ol’ man” Oh, wake ‘er, Oh, shake ‘er! Oh, wake dat girl wid de blue dress on When Johnny comes down to Hilo, Poor ol’ man
I lub a little gal from across de sea She’s a Badian beauty an’ she sez to me: “Oh, Johnny come down to Hilo, Poor ol’ man”
Oh, wuz you ebber down Carolina way Where dey pick dem cotton on a summer day When Johnny comes down to Hilo, Poor ol’ man
Oh, wuz you ebber down in Mobile Bay Where dey screw dem cotton for a dollar a day When Johnny comes down to Hilo, Poor ol’ man
Oh, did you ebber see de ol’ plantation boss An’ his long tailed filly an’ his big black hoss When Johnny comes down to Hilo, Poor ol’ man
Oh, go fetch me down me riding cane For I’m off to see me sweetheart, Jane When Johnny comes down to Hilo, Poor ol’ man