The Darktown Strutter’s Ball (C)
Words and Music by Shelton Brooks
Key: C
Copyright 1917

File Created 11/22/2014
File Edited 05/31/2019

Chords and Music Provided by Judy Muldawer and Nikos Voutsinas
For Educational Purposes Only
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Verse 1:

C        Cdim Dm   G7        C
I've got some good news Honey
              Cdim   Dm   G7
An invitation to the Dark-town Ball
Cm6    G          GdimG   B7E7
It's a very swell af-fair
        Am   Cm6     Bm   D7 G
All the High Browns" will be there.

     D7   G7 C             Cdim
I'll wear my high silk hat and a
Dm7   G7
frock tail coat
    E7                            Am
You wear your Paris gown and your new silk shawl
Gdim  G        G+              E7
There ain't no doubt about it, babe
             Am           D7     G
We'll be the best dressed in the hall

Chorus:

        C                          A7
I'll be down to get you in a taxi, Honey
    D7
You better be ready about half past eight
G7
Now dearie don't be late
          C             Cdim
I want to be there when the
Dm7  G7
band starts playing

   C                        A7
Re-member when we get there Honey
    D7
The two-steps, I'm goin to have 'em all
         Dm7               Cdim
Goin' to dance out both my shoes
          C             E7      A7
When they play the "Jel-ly Roll Blues,"
   D7
To-morrow night at the
G7                  C    EbdimG7
Darktown Strutter's Ball.

Verse 2:

C          CdimDm   G7
We'll meet our high toned neighbors
C             Cdim   Dm  G7
An exhibition of the "Ba-by Dolls"
Cm6      G           Gdim  G   B7E7
And each one will do their best
        Am  Cm6   Bm  D7  G
Just to out class all the rest

    D7       G7 C
And there'll be dancers from
Cdim  Dm7 G7
ev'ry for-eign land
    E7                              Am
The classic, buck and wing, and the wooden clog
Gdim           G+    Em     E7
We'll win that fifty dollar prize
             Am      D7        G   GdimG7
When we step out and "Walk the Dog"

Chorus Repeat:

G7C


Several Suggested Ukulele Chord Shapes: