“Cheer Up, Sam”

Description

Minstrel song. Former slave tells of his love for Sarah Bell. He offered all he had, but she left him for a white man with money. Cho: "Cheer up Sam, now don?t let your spirits go down, for there's many a belle that we know is lookin for you in town."

Notes

Popular "shore song" adapted for use at the capstan. - SL

Popular it may have been, but I've searched without success for any sign of it. I suspect a better description is "widely touted." - RBW

References

  1. Hugill, p. 562, "Cheer Up, Sam" (1 text, 1 tune)
  2. BI, Hugi562

About

Alternate titles: “Sarah Bell”
Author: unknown
Earliest date: 1850s (American broadsides)
Found in: US