The African American composer James A. Bland
of "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny" fame
wrote "Golden Slippers" in 1879.
It is the song most associated with the Mummers.

Golden Slippers

Oh, my golden slippers are laid away,
'Cause I don't 'spect to wear 'em till my wedding day
And my long tail coat that I love so well,
I will wear up in the chariot in the morn.
And my long white robe that I bought last June
I'm gonna get changed 'cause it fits too soon,
And the old grey horse that I used to drive
I will hitch him to the chariot in the morn.

Most Philadelphians only know
the words to the chorus.
Most everyone else wouldn't even know that.

chorus:
Oh, them golden slippers,
Oh, them golden slippers,
Golden slippers I'm gonna wear,
Because they look so neat.
Oh, them golden slippers,
Oh, them golden slippers,
Golden slippers I'm a- gonna wear
To walk the golden street.

Oh, my ol' banjo hangs on the wall,
'Cause it ain't been tuned since' way last fall,
But the folks all say we'll have a good time,
When we ride up in the chariot in the morn.
There's old Brother Ben an' his sister Luce,
They will telegraph the news to Uncle Bacco Juice
What a great camp meetin' there will be that day
When we ride up in the chariot in the morn.
So, it's good-bye, children, I will have to go,
Where the rain don't fall and the wind don't blow
And your ulster coats, why, you will not need,
When you ride up in the chariot in the morn;
But your golden slippers must be nice and clear
And your age must be just sweet sixteen,
And your white kid gloves you will have to we:
When you ride up in the chariot in the morn.

"It was originally a minstrel mockery of a spiritual song
sung by the Fisk Jubilee Singers..." - Steven Van

You can hear a midi version of Golden Slippers here.

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