SCENE ONE

Opening Scene

(The levee at Natchez on the Mississippi. About 1890. The towboat

"Mollie Able" is up R. The show boat "Cotton Blossom" is up L. STEVEDORES

are piling up bales of cotton at R. WINDY an old pilot, stands on the

Texas deck of the towboat, smoking his pipe and looking on)



STEVEDORES

Niggers all work on de Mississippi

Niggers all work while de white folks play-

Loadin' up boats wid de bales of cotton,

Gittin' no rest till de Judgement Day.



GALS

Git yo'self a bran' new gal,

A lovin' baby who's de apple of yo' eye.

Coal black Rose or high brown Sal,

Dey all kin cook de sparrer grass an' chicken pie!

STEVEDORES

Hey! Git along, git along,

Git along, git along.

Hey! Git along, git along,

git along, hey!



STEVEDORES