Identifier	mdbv199_004
Title	Whist'ling Rufus or the one man band
Transcript	The Great Pioneer of Penny Ballads. Whist'ling Rufus OR The One Man Band. BY KERRY MILLS. Down in de South whar de sly ole possum, Hides in de sycamore tree, Dar lived a coon name o' Rufus Blossom, Black as a nigger could be. Rufe had a head like a big sledge hammer, Mouth like a terrible scar, But nothin' could touch him in Alabama, When he played on his old guitar. CHORUS. Don't make no blunder, you couldn't lose him A perfect wonder, they had to choose him, A great musician, of high position, Was Whist'ling Rufus, the one man band. Miles he would tramp to a ball or a party, In rainy weather or fine, When he arrived he was welcomed hearty, Out came the chicken and wine. When he was froo wid de wine an' chicken, You'd think dat angels on harps was pickin And dey called him de One Man Band. Wm. J. Schmidt, 911 W. North Ave. Balto. Md Publisher of weet [sic] Gems chosen from the cultured cream of Musicalgenius [sic].
Publisher (Original)	William J. Schmidt
Subject	Broadsides Marches Mills, Kerry, 1869-1948 Ragtime, cakewalk & stomps
Description	Document containing the broadside entitled "Whist'ling Rufus or the One Man Band" from the 1899 song written by Kerry Mills (born Frederick Allen Mills). This broadside, in the minstrel's stereotypical African American dialect, tells the story of Rufus Blossom, an African American entertainer. The story goes that in Alabama a party just wasn't successful until Rufus dropped by and played his guitar and sang like angels playing their harps or like a "one man band." The title and all of the verses are displayed within a decorative border. Above the border is a promotion of the publisher Wm. J. Schmidt, "The Great Pioneer of Penny Ballads"; the publisher's name and address are printed at the bottom of the page outside the decorative border.
Publisher (Electronic Version)	Enoch Pratt Free Library
Holding Institution	Enoch Pratt Free Library
Date Original	ca. 1899-1915
Date Digital	2004-02-02
Type	Text
Format	Digital reproduction of 1-page document, 24 x 16 cm.
Source	Maryland Department, Broadside Verses
Relation	Is Part Of the Maryland Department Broadside Verses Collection Is Part Of the Maryland Digital Cultural Heritage Program
Coverage	1891-1900 1901-1910 1911-1920
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