This song/tune is African-American in origin and enjoyed a life on the minstrel stage. Appearing as “The Original Lynchburg Town” by Frank Spencer, the song was published in New York, 1848, by Wm. Vanderbeek. It was popularized by the Christy Minstrels. Here’s a verse and chorus of the original minstrel lyrics:
Verse: You may talk as you will ob de good ole times,
Ob dandy Jim and Joe,
But we am de darkies for fun and glee,
And we sing and play de banjo.
Chorus: And we’re goin’ long down,
And we’re goin’ long down to town
And we’re goin’ long down to Lynchburg town,
To sing to de white folks dar
Gwine down to Lynchburg town,
Take my 'baccer (tobacco) down.
(Or the Mississippi version)
I'm going on down to Vicksburg town
To make my banjo sound.
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