Filipino Baby by Billy Cox and Clarke Van Ness ""I rewrote this song; that's how my name is on it. Billy Cox, who recorded it, sent me the lyrics. It was originally about a colored sailor with a face as black as jet' and was written by Charles K, Harris at the time of the Spanish-American War. I rewrote it and that's what made it a hit." —Clark Van Ness Filipino Baby There's a warship from Manila sailing proudly o'er the foam Many sailors' hearts were filled with sad regret Looking backward to this island where they spent such happy hours Making love to every pretty girl they met. When up stepped a little sailor with his bright eyes all aglow Saying "take a look at my gal's photograph" Then the sailors gathered 'round him just to look upon her face And he said, "I love my Filipino baby." "She's my Filipino baby, she's my treasure and my pet Her teeth are bright and pearly and her hair is black as jet Oh, her lips are sweet as honey and her heart is pure I know And I love my little Filipino baby." In a little rustic cottage in the far off Philippines Dwells a pretty little maiden all alone And she's thinking of her true love, though he's far across the sea And her heart beats true for him and him alone. Then one day he whispered, "Darlin' I've come back from Caroline, I've come back to claim the only girl I love" And that night there was a wedding while the ship's crew gathered 'round And he wed his little Filipino baby. Buy the song Filipino Baby