The following poem is one which my father (born 1/1/1900) used to recite. He said it was one of several similar poems all ending in the phrase,
“Somebody else, not me,” which were part of the routine of a black comedian. I have heard that the comedian Phil Harris has also recited this one in particular but he can’t be the original source, he was born after my father. I would like to know who the black comedian is.
Ivory bones and ebony dots
Often end in cemetery lots.
The game last night brought on a fight,
And ended up in pistol shots.
Now I was furtherest from the door and
All the others got there afore.
Through the transom someone said,
“Somebody got to stay behind and explain to the officer when he arrive,
How come this brother ain’t alive.”
Yes sir, somebody else, not me!
Another, which I can’t remember, has to do with the fact that two Bengal tigers escaped and the poem ends:
“Someone’s got to get them cats.”
Yes sir, somebody else, not me!
Thank you,
Jane Ades