Shine

Komposition: Ford Dabney, Text: Cecil Mack (1924).

Der Titel ist bekannt geworden als Nummer in den so genannten Vaudeville Theatres, später auch durch Ella Fitzgerald, die den Song 1938 aufnahm.

Dabney führte ein beschwingtes Leben: Er war "Hofmusiker" des Präsidenten von Hawai, er leitete als Pianist ein eigenes Quartet, er führte ein eigenes Kino und ein Theater, er hatte eine Talent-Büro für Schwarz-Afrikaner… er tat fast alles, was mit Musik, Theater und Show zu tun hatte!

Shine

When I was born they christened me plain Samuel Johnson Brown.
But I hadn't grown so very big, 'fore some folks in this town
Had changed it 'round to "Sambo"; I was "Rastus" to a few.
Then "Chocolate Drop" was added by some others that I knew.
And then to cap the climax, I was strolling down the line
When someone shouted, "Fellas, hey! Come on and pipe the shine!"
But I don't care a bit. Here's how I figure it:
Well, just because my hair is curly,
And just because my teeth are pearly;
Just because I always wear a smile,
Likes to dress up in the latest style.
Just because I'm glad I'm livin',
Takes trouble smilin', never whine.
Just because my color's shady,
Slightly different maybe that's why they call me shine
Well, just because my hair is curly,
And just because my teeth are pearly;
And just because I always wear a smile,
Wear my jeans like a man of means
He always dresses in the latest style.
 

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