In Dahomey of gold, devise a plan to move to Africa to colonize Dahomey (present-day Benin) with a group of poor American blacks. Having undergone bad luck, the conmen, Shylock Homestead (played by Bert Williams) and Rareback Punkerton (George Walker) are sent to Florida to con Cicero Lightfoot (Pete Hampton), the president of a colonization society. To his surprise, Punkerton discovers Homestead to be rich, and proceeds to become his trustee to gain access to Homestead's wealth. Once having gained access to Homestead's wealth, Punkerton struts around, acting as a dandy, or a refined figure in black society. Upon realizing Punkerton's schemes,
In Dahomey are American blacks playing roles, not Dahomey natives. The lyrics expressed the relief of the "natives" that they could soon go home to their New York apartments. This scene earlier features the "Act II Opening (Sports of Gay Chicago)" and the hit love song "Why Do I Love You?" The song was never a hit. After the musical's 1946 revival on Broadway, the song "In Dahomey" was omitted from the score of "Show Boat." Although the song was performed in the 1946 revival, it was omitted from the cast album recorded of that Broadway production. It has never been used