Under The Bamboo Tree

Under the Bamboo Tree

by Cole and Johnson Bros.
1903

Original semi-controversial lyrics...many other alternatives are available online


[Verse]
C                  G7
Down in the jungle lived a maid,
C                      G7
Of royal blood, though dusky shade; [alt: out in a palace in the shade]
  E7                Am
A marked impression once she made,
D7              G7
Upon a Zulu from Matabulu;
C                 G7
And ev'ry morning he would be
C                   G7
Down underneath the bamboo tree,
E7                 Am
Awaiting there his love to see
D7                   G7
And then to her he'd sing:

[Chorus]
   C          F       C        F
If you like-a-me like I like-a-you
    C         F        C 
And we like-a-both the same,
G7
I like-a-say, This very day,
                        C
I'd like-ta change your name;
       C        F       C          F
'Cause I love-a-you and love-you a-true
    C        F      C
And if you-a love-a me.
G7
One live as two, two live as one,
                 C
Under the bamboo tree.