Jes Lak White Fo'ks
Recommended Citation
Cook, Will Marion and Cook, William Marion, "Jes Lak White Fo'ks" (1900). Dunbar Music Archive. 372.
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/dunbar/372
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Text
"Jes lak white fo'ks" : a one act Negro operetta with additional lyrics by Paul Laurence Dunbar
1900
Roles
Pompous Johnsing
Jube Johnson
Elder Snowball
Mandy Johnsing
JuJu, the Cannibal King
Chorus
Musical Numbers include
We’s a comin’
Spread de News
Colored girl from Vassar
Lovers Lane
Evah niggah is a king
Love Looks not at Estate
Love is King
Spread de News
Synopsis:
Pompous Johnsing is holding a church revival service in his home as they sing “We’s a comin”. Pompous brings in a chest of valuables and gold. He sings “Spread de News” and then shares his plan to use at as a dowry for his daughter who recently graduated from Vassar. His daughter Mandy enters and sings “Colored Girl from Vassar” with the chorus. After Pompous fails to convince Jube and onlookers of his royal status with a hand drawn family tree, he sings “Evah Niggah is a king” with the chorus. The chorus number “Love Looks Not at Estate” follows Pompous announcement that Mandy will marry JuJu, the Cannibal King. In reply, Mandy and the chorus sing “Love is King” and after meeting JuJu, Pompous decides that he was wrong. He decides to enjoy his life and “quit acting just like white folks”.