The Courtship

Lyrics

[MOTHER, spoken] Yes? [COALHOUSE, spoken] I'm looking for a young woman of color whose name is Sarah. She's said to reside in one of these houses.  [LITTLE BOY, spoken] She's here. She's living in our attic.  [COALHOUSE, spoken] Will you tell her, please, that Mr. Coalhouse Walker Jr. desires to speak with her? [MOTHER, spoken] Certainly. Please wait there. Edgar? [LITTLE BOY, spoken] This is Sarah's baby. You want a cookie? [MOTHER, spoken] Sarah, you have a caller. A Mr. Walker. Won't you come down to the kitchen? [SARAH, spoken] No, ma'am. Send him away, please.  [MOTHER, spoken] Well, that's the most words you've spoken since you've been here.  [COALHOUSE] Ooh, yeah, ooh, ooh [MOTHER, spoken] Sarah is unable to see you. Good day.  [COALHOUSE, spoken] Thank you, ma'am. Tell her I'll come back next Sunday.  [GRANDFATHER, spoken] Such was the coming of the colored man in the car to Broadview Avenue.  [ENSEMBLE] Each Sunday, he'd come driving Curtains would part Neighbors would peek [MOTHER, spoken] I'm sorry, Mr. Walker. Sarah still will not receive you.  [COALHOUSE, spoken] Will you see that she gets these flowers, ma'am? [ENSEMBLE] Week after week And after weeks of Sundays [MOTHER] Sending him off seemed a crime (spoken) Mr. Walker, it must be a long drive for you. Perhaps you would like a cup of tea before you go? [COALHOUSE plays the piano.] [COALHOUSE, spoken] Hmm, this piano is badly in need of a tuning.  [MOTHER, spoken] Oh, yes. We are terrible about that.  [GRANDFATHER, spoken]: Do you know any coon songs? [COALHOUSE, spoken] Coon songs are made for minstrel shows. White men sing them in blackface. This is called ragtime.