NURSERY RHYME SECTION
AWFUL HARBINGERS[36]
W'en de big owl whoops,
An' de screech owl screeks,
An' de win' makes a howlin' sound;
You liddle wooly heads
Had better kiver up,
Caze de "hants" is comin' 'round.
[36] This little rhyme is based upon a superstition once current among
Negroes, to the effect that bad luck would come when a screech owl
called near your home at night unless, upon hearing him, you would stick
the handle of a shovel into the fire about which you were sitting, or
would throw salt into it. The word "hant" means ghost or spirit.
THE LAST OF JACK
I had a liddle dog, his name wus Jack;
He run forty mile 'fore he look back.
W'en he look back, he fall in a crack;
W'en he fall in a crack, he break 'is back;
An' dat wus de las' o' poor liddle Jack.
LITTLE DOGS
I had a liddle dog; his name wus Ball;
W'en I give him a liddle, he want it all.
I had a liddle dog, his name wus Trot;
He helt up his tail, all tied in a knot.
I had a liddle dog, his name wus Blue;
I put him on de road, an' he almos' flew.
I had a liddle dog, his name wus Mack;
I rid his tail fer to save his back.
I had a liddle dog, his name wus Rover;
W'en he died, he died all over.
I had a liddle dog, his name wus Dan;
An' w'en he died, I buried 'im in de san'.
MY DOG, CUFF
I had a liddle dog, his name wus Cuff;
I sent 'im to town to buy some snuff.
He drapped de bale, an' he spilt de snuff,
An' I guess dat speech is long enough.
SAM IS A CLEVER FELLOW
Say! Is y[=o]' peaches ripe, my boy,
An' is y[=o]' apples meller?
Go an' tell Miss Katie Jones
Dat Sam's a clever feller.
Say! Is y[=o]' cherries red, my boy,
An' is y[=o]' plums all yeller?
Oh please run tell Miss Katie Jones
Dat Sam's a clever feller.
THE GREAT OWL'S SONG
Ah-hoo-hoo? Ah-hoo-hoo? Ah-hoo-hoo----?
An' who'll cook fer Kelline, an' who'll cook fer you----?
I will cook fer myse'f, I won't cook fer you.
Ah-hoo-hoo! Ah-hoo-hoo! Ah-hoo----!
Ah-hoo-hoo! Ah-hoo-hoo! Ah-hoo-hoo! Ah-hoo----!
I wonder if Kelline would not cook fer Hue----?
Fer dis is Big Sandy! It's Big Sandy Hue----!
Ah-hoo-hoo! Ah-hoo-hoo! Ah-hoo-hoo! Ah-hoo----!
Ah-ha-hah! Ah-ha-hah! Ah-ha-hah! Ah-hah----!
I thought you 'us ole Bill Jack as black as de tah.
You really must 'scuse me, my "Honey Lump Pa."
Ah-ha-hah! Ah-ha-hah! Ah-ha-hah! Ah-hah----!
An' since I'se been Kelline, an' you'se Big Sandy Hue;
I will cook fer myse'f, an' I will cook fer you.
I'll love you forever, an' sing in de dew:
"Ah-hoo-hoo! Ah-hoo-hoo! Ah-hoo-hoo! Ah-hoo----!"
Yes!--Ah-hoo-hoo! Ah-hoo-hoo! Ah-hoo-hoo! Ah-hoo-all!
Now, we'll cook fer ourse'fs, but who'll cook fer you all?
Fer Tom Dick an' his wife, fer Pete Snap an' Shoe-Awl,
Rough Shot De Shoe-boot, an' de Lawd He knows who all?
HERE I STAND
Here I stan', raggity an' dirty;
If you don't come kiss me, I'll run lak a tucky.
Here I stan' on two liddle chips,
Pray, come kiss my sweet liddle lips.
Here I stan' crooked lak a horn;
I hain't had no kiss since I'se been born.
PIG TAIL
Run boys, run!
De pig tail's done.
If you don't come quick,
You won't git none.
Pig ham's dere,
Lakwise middlin's square;
But dese great big parts
Hain't no Nigger's bes' fare.
A, B, C
A, B, C,
Doubled down D;
I'se so lazy you cain't see me.
A, B, C,
Doubled down D
Lazy Chilluns gits hick'ry tea.
A, B, C,
Doubled down D,
Dat "cat's" in de cupboard an' hid. You see?
A, B, C,
Doubled down D,
You'd better come out an' wuk lak me.
NEGRO BAKER MAN
Patty cake! Patty cake! Nigger Baker man.
Missus an' Mosser gwineter ketch 'im if dey can.
Put de liddle Nigger in Mosser's dish pan,
An' scrub 'im off good fer de ole San' Man.
STICK-A-MA-STEW
Stick-a-ma-stew, he went to town.
Stick-a-ma-stew, he tore 'is gown.
All dem folks what live in town
Cain't mend dat randsome, handsome gown.
BOB-WHITE'S SONG
Bob-white! Bob-white!
Is y[=o]' peas all ripe?
No--! not--! quite!
Bob-white! Bob-white!
W'en will dey be ripe?
To-mor--! row--! might!
Bob-white! Bob-white!
Does you sing at night?
No--! not--! quite!
Bob-white! Bob-white!
W'en is de time right?
At can--! dle--! light!
COOKING DINNER
Go: Bile dem cabbage down.
Turn dat hoecake 'round,
Cook it done an' brown.
Yes: Gwineter have sweet taters too.
Hain't had none since las' Fall,
Gwineter eat 'em skins an' all.
CHUCK WILL'S WIDOW SONG
Oh nimber, nimber Will-o!
My crooked, crooked bill-o!
I'se settin' down right now, on
de sweet pertater hill-o.
Oh nimber, nimber Will-o!
My crooked, crooked bill-o!
Two liddle naked babies, my two
brown aigs now fill-o.
Oh nimber, nimber Will-o!
My crooked, crooked bill-o!
Don't hurt de liddle babies; dey
is too sweet to kill-o.
BRIDLE UP A RAT
Bridle up er rat,
Saddle up er cat,
An' han' me down my big straw hat.
In come de cat,
Out go de rat,
Down go de baby wid 'is big straw hat.
MY LITTLE PIG
You see: I had a liddle pig,
I fed 'im on slop;
He got so fat
Dat he almos' pop.
An' den: I tuck de liddle pig,
An' I rid 'im to school;
He e't ginger cake,
An' it tu'n 'im a fool.
But: He grunt de lessons,
An' keep all de rule,
An' he make 'em all think
Dat he learn in de cool.
IN A MULBERRY TREE
Jes looky, looky yonder; w'at I see!
Two liddle Niggers in a Mulberry tree.
One cain't read, an' de t'other cain't write.
But dey bofe can smoke deir daddy's pipe.
"One ma two! One ma two!"
Dat Mulberry Witch, he [37]titterer too.
"Big bait o' Mulberries make 'em bofe sick.
Dem liddle Niggers gwineter roll an' kick!"
[37] Titterer means laugh.
ANIMAL ATTIRE
Dat Coon, he w'ar a undershirt;
Dat 'Possum w'ar a gown.
Br'er Rabbit, he w'ar a overcoat
Wid buttons up an' down.
Mistah Gobbler's got beads 'roun' 'is nec'.
Mistah Pattridge's got a collar, Hun!
Mistah Peacock, a fedder on his head!
But dese don't stop no gun.
ASPIRATION
If I wus de President
Of dese United States,
I'd eat good 'lasses candy,
An' swing on all de gates.
ANIMAL FAIR
Has you ever hearn tell 'bout de Animal Fair?
Dem birds an' beasts wus all down dere.
Dat jaybird a-settin' down on 'is wing!
Has you ever hearn tell about sitch a thing
As whut 'us at dat Animal Fair?
Well, dem animals had a Fair.
Dem birds an' beasts wus dere.
De big Baboon,
By de light o' de moon,
Jes comb up his sandy hair.
De monkey, he git drunk,
He kick up a red hot chunk.
Dem coals, dey 'rose;
An' bu'nt 'is toes!
He clumb de Elephan's trunk.
I went down to de Fair.
Dem varmints all wus dere.
Dat young Baboon
Wunk at Miss Coon;
Dat curled de Elephan's hair.
De Camel den walk 'bout,
An' tromped on de Elephan's snout.
De Elephan' sneeze,
An' fall on his knees;
Dat pleased all dem monk[=e]ys.
LITTLE BOY WHO COULDN'T COUNT SEVEN
Once der wus a liddle boy dat couldn' count one.
Dey pitched him in a fedder bed; 'e thought it great big fun.
Once der wus a liddle boy dat couldn' count two.
Dey pitched him in a fedder bed; 'e thought 'e 'us gwine through.
Once der wus a liddle boy dat couldn' count three.
Dey pitched him in a fedder bed; 'e thought de Niggers 'us free.
Once der wus a liddle boy dat couldn' count f[=o]'.
Dey pitched him in a fedder bed; 'e jumped out on de fl[=o]'.
Once der wus a liddle boy dat couldn' count five.
Dey pitched him in a fedder bed; 'e thought de dead alive.
Once der wus a liddle boy dat couldn' count six.
Dey pitched him in a fedder bed; 'e never did git fix!
Once der wus a liddle boy dat couldn' count seben.
Dey pitched him in a fedder bed; 'e thought he's gwine to Heaben!
MISS TERRAPIN AND MISS TOAD
As I went marchin' down de road,
I met Miss Tearpin an' I met Miss Toad.
An' ev'ry time Miss Toad would jump,
Miss Tearpin would peep from 'hind de stump.
I axed dem ladies fer to marry me,
An' bofe find fault wid de t'other, you see.
"If you marries Miss Toad," Miss Tearpin said,
"You'll have to hop 'round lak you'se been half dead!"
"If you combs y[=o]' head wid a Tearpin comb,
You'll have to creep 'round all tied up at home."
I run'd away frum dar, my foot got bruise,
For I didn't know zackly which to choose.
FROM SLAVERY
Chile: I come from out'n slavery,
Whar de Bull-whup bust de hide;
Back dar, whar dis gineration
Natchully widdered up an' died!
THE END OF TEN LITTLE NEGROES
Ten liddle Niggers, a-eatin', fat an' fine;
One choke hisse'f to death, an' dat lef' nine.
Nine liddle Niggers, dey sot up too late;
One sleep hisse'f to death, an' dat lef' eight.
Eight liddle Niggers want to go to Heaben;
One sing hisse'f to death, an' dat lef' seben.
Seben liddle Niggers, a-pickin' up sticks;
One wuk hisse'f to death, an' dat lef' six.
Six liddle Niggers went out fer to drive;
Mule run away wid one, an' dat lef' five.
Five liddle Niggers in a cold rain pour;
One coughed hisse'f to death, an' dat lef' four.
Four liddle Niggers, climb a' apple tree;
One fall down an' out, an' dat lef' three.
Three liddle Niggers a-wantin' sumpin new;
One, he quit de udders, an' dat lef' two.
Two liddle Niggers went out fer to run;
One fell down de bluff, an' dat lef' one.
One liddle Nigger, a-foolin' wid a gun;
Gun go off "bang!" an' dat lef' none.
THE ALABAMA WAY
'Way down yon'er "in de Alerbamer way,"
De Niggers goes to wo'k at de peep o' de day.
De bed's too short, an' de high posts rear;
De Niggers needs a ladder fer to climb up dere.
De cord's wore out, an' de bed-tick's gone.
Niggers' legs hang down fer de chickens t' roost on.
MOTHER SAYS I AM SIX YEARS OLD
My mammy says dat I'se too young
To go to Church an' pray;
But she don't know how bad I is
W'en she's been gone away.
My mammy says I'se six years old,
My daddy says I'se seben.
Dat's all right how old I is,
Jes since I'se a gwine to Heaben.
THE ORIGIN OF THE SNAKE
Up de hill an' down de level!
Up de hill an' down de level!
Granny's puppy treed de Devil.
Puppy howl, an' Devil shake!
Puppy howl, an' Devil shake!
Devil leave, an' dere's y[=o]' snake.
Mash his head; de sun shine bright!
Mash his head; de sun shine bright!
Tail don't die ontel it's night.
Night come on, an' sperits groan!
Night come on, an' sperits groan!
Devil come an' gits his own.
WILD HOG HUNT
Nigger in de woods, a-settin' on a log;
Wid his finger on de trigger, an' his eyes upon de hog.
De gun say "bam!" an' de hog say "bip!"
An' de Nigger grab dat wild hog wid all his grip.
A STRANGE BROOD
De ole hen sot on tucky aigs,
An' she hatch out goslin's three.
Two wus tuckies wid slender legs,
An' one wus a bumblebee.
All dem hens say to one nudder:
"Mighty queer chickens! See?"
THE TOWN AND THE COUNTRY BIRD
Jaybird a-swingin' a two hoss plow;
"Sparrer, why not you?"
"W'y--! My legs so liddle an' slender, man,
I'se fear'd dey'd break in two."
Jaybird answer: "What'd you say?--
I sometimes worms terbaccy;
But I'd druther plow sweet taters too,
Dan to be a ole Town Tacky!"
Jaybird up in de Sugar tree,
De sparrer on de groun';
De jaybird shake de sugar down,
An' de sparrer pass it 'roun'.
De jaybird say: "Save some fer me;
I needs it w'en I bakes."
De sparrer say: "Use 'lasses, Suh!
Dat suits fer Country-Jakes!"
FROG IN A MILL ([38]GUINEA OR EBO RHYME)
Once dere wus er frog dat lived in er mill.
He had er raker don la bottom o' la kimebo
Kimebo, nayro, dilldo, kiro
Stimstam, formididdle, all-a-board la rake;
Wid er raker don la bottom o' la kimebo.
[38] For explanation, read the Study in Negro Folk Rhymes.
STRONG HANDS
Here's y[=o]' bread, an' here's y[=o]' butter;
An' here's de hands fer to make you sputter.
Tetch dese hands, w'en you wants to tetch a beaver.
If dese hands tetch you, you'll sh[=o]' ketch de fever.
Dese hands Samson, good fer a row,
W'en dey hits you, it's "good-by cow!"
TREE FROGS (GUINEA OR EBO RHYME)
Shool! Shool! Shool! I rule!
Shool! Shool! Shool! I rule!
Shool! Shacker-rack!
I shool bubba cool.
Seller! Beller eel!
Fust to ma tree'l
Just came er bubba.
Buska! Buska-reel!
WHEN I WAS A LITTLE BOY
W'en I wus a liddle boy
I cleaned up mammy's dishes;
Now I is a great big boy,
I wears my daddy's britches.
I can knock dat Mobile Buck
An' smoke dat corncob pipe.
I can kiss dem pretty gals,
An' set up ev'ry night.
GRASSHOPPER SENSE
Dere wus a liddle grasshopper
Dat wus always on de jump;
An' caze he never look ahead,
He wus always gittin' a bump.
Huddlety, dumpty, dumpty, dump!
Mind out, or you will git a bump;
Shore as de grass grows 'round de stump
Be keerful, my sweet Sugar Lump.
YOUNG MASTER AND OLD MASTER
Hick'ry leaves an' calico sleeves!
I tells you young Mosser's hard to please.
Young Mosser fool you, de way he grin.
De way he whup you is a sin.
De monkey's a-settin' on de end of a rail,
Pickin' his tooth wid de end of his tail.
Mulberry leaves an' homespun sleeves!
Better know dat ole Mosser's not easy to please.
MY SPECKLED HEN
Somebody stole my speckled hen.
Dey lef' me mighty p[=o]o'.
Ev'ry day she layed three aigs,
An' Sunday she lay f[=o]'.
Somebody stole my speckled hen.
She crowed at my back d[=o]'.
Fedders, dey shine jes lak de sun;
De Niggers grudged her m[=o]'.
[39]De whis'lin' gal, an' de crowin' hen,
Never comes to no good en'.
Stop dat whis'lin'; go on an' sing!
'Member dat hen wid 'er shinin' wing.
[39] An old superstition.
THE SNAIL'S REPLY
Snail! Snail! Come out'n o' y[=o]' shell,
Or I'll beat on y[=o]' back till you rings lak a bell.
"I do ve'y well," sayed de snail in de shell,
"I'll jes take my chances in here whar I dwell."
A STRANGE FAMILY
Once dere's an ole 'oman dat lived in de Wes'.
She had two gals of de very bes'.
One wus older dan de t'other,
T'other's older dan her mother,
An' dey're all deir own gran'mother.
Can you guess?
GOOD-BY, RING
I had a liddle dog, his name wus Ring,
I tied him up to his nose wid a string.
I pulled dat string, an' his eyes tu'n blue.
"Good-by, Ring! I'se done wid you."
DEEDLE, DUMPLING
Deedle, deedle, dumplin'! My boy, Pete!
He went to bed wid his dirty feet.
Mammy laid a switch down on dat sheet!
Deedle, deedle, dumplin'! My boy, Pete!
BUCK AND BERRY
Buck an' Berry run a race,
Buck fall down an' skin his face.
Buck an' Berry in a stall;
Buck, he try to eat it all.
Buck, he e't too much, you see.
So he died wid choleree.
PRETTY LITTLE GIRL
Who's been here since I'se been gone?
A pretty liddle gal wid a blue dress on.
Who'll stay here when I goes 'way?
A pretty liddle gal, all dressed in gray.
Who'll wait on Mistess day an' night?
A pretty liddle gal, all dressed in white.
Who'll be here when I'se been dead?
A pretty liddle gal, all dressed in red.
TWO SICK NEGRO BOYS
Two liddle Niggers sick in bed,
One jumped up an' bumped his head.
W'en de Doctah come he simpully said:
"Jes feed dat boy on shorten' bread."
T'other liddle Nigger sick in bed,
W'en he hear tell o' shorten' bread,
Popped up all well. He dance an' sing!
He almos' cut dat Pigeon's Wing!
GRASSHOPPER SITTING ON A SWEET POTATO VINE
Grasshopper a-settin' on a sweet tater vine,
'Long come a Blackbird an' nab him up behind.
Blackbird a-settin' in a sour apple tree;
Hawk grab him up behind; he "Chee! Chee! Chee!"
Big hawk a-settin' in de top of dat oak,
Start to eat dat Blackbird an' he git choke.
DOODLE-BUG
Doodle-bug! Doodle-bug! Come git sweet milk.
Doodle-bug! Doodle-bug! Come git butter.
Doodle-bug! Doodle-bug! Come git co'n bread.
Doodle-bug! Doodle-bug! Come on to Supper.
RAW HEAD AND BLOODY BONES[40]
Don't talk! Go to sleep!
Eyes shet an' don't you peep!
Keep still, or he jes moans:
"Raw Head an' Bloody Bones!"
[40] Repeated to restless children at night to make them lie still and
go to sleep.
MYSTERIOUS FACE WASHING
I wash my face in de watah
Dat's neider rain nor run.
I wipes my face on de towel
Dat's neider wove nor spun.--
I wash my face in de dew,
An' I dries it in de sun.
GO TO BED
De wood's in de kitchen.
De hoss's in de shed.
You liddle Niggers
Had better go to bed.
BUCK-EYED RABBIT! WHOOPEE![41]
Dat Squir'l, he's a cunnin' thing;
He tote a bushy tail.
He jes lug off Uncle Sambo's co'n,
An' heart it on a rail.
Dat Squir'l, he's a cunnin' thing;
An' so is ole Jedge B'ar.
Br'er Rabbit's gone an' los' his tail
'Cep' a liddle bunch of ha'r.
Buckeyed Rabbit! Whoopee!
Buckeyed Rabbit! Ho!
Buckeyed Rabbit! Whoopee!
Squir'l's got a long way to go.
[41] The explanation of this rhyme is found in the Study in Negro Folk
Rhymes.
CAPTAIN COON
Captain Coon's a mighty man,
He trabble atter dark;
Wid nothin' 'tall to 'sturb his mind,
But to hear my ole dog bark.
Dat 'Possum, he's a mighty man,
He trabble late at night.
He never think to climb a tree,
'Till he's feared ole Rober'll bite.
GUINEA GALL
'Way down yon'er in Guinea Gall,
De Niggers eats de fat an' all.
'Way down yon'er in de cotton fiel',
Ev'ry week one peck o' meal.
'Way down yon'er ole Mosser swar';
Holler at you, an' pitch, an' r'ar;
Wid cat o' nine tails,
Wid pen o' nine nails,
Tee whing, tee bing,
An' ev'ry thing!
FISHING SIMON
Simon tuck his hook an' pole,
An' fished on Sunday we's been told.
Fish dem water death bells ring,
Talk from out'n de water, sing--
"Bait y[=o]' hook, Simon!
Drap y[=o]' line, Simon!
Now ketch me, Simon!
Pull me out, Simon!
Take me home, Simon!
Now clean me, Simon!
Cut me up now, Simon!
Now salt me, Simon!
Now fry me, Simon!
Dish me up now, Simon!
Eat me all, Simon!"
Simon e't till he wus full.
Still dat fish keep his plate fall.
Simon want no m[=o]' at all,
Fish say dat he mus' eat all.
Simon's sick, so he throw up!
He give Sunday fishin' up.
A STRANGE OLD WOMAN
Dere wus an ole 'oman, her name wus Nan.
She lived an 'oman, an' died a man.
De ole 'oman lived to be dried up an' cunnin';
One leg stood still, while de tother kep' runnin'.
IN '76
Way down yonder in sebenty-six,
Whar I git my jawbone fix;
All dem coon-loons eatin' wid a spoon!
I'll be ready fer dat Great Day soon.
REDHEAD WOODPECKER
Redhead woodpecker: "Chip! Chip! Chee!"
Promise dat he'll marry me.
Whar shall de weddin' supper be?
Down in de lot, in a rotten holler tree.
What will de weddin' supper be?
A liddle green worm an' a bumblebee,
'Way down yonder on de holler tree.
De Redhead woodpecker, "Chip! Chip! Chee!"
OLD AUNT KATE
Jes look at Ole Aunt Kate at de gyardin gate!
She's a good ole 'oman.
W'en she sift 'er meal, she give me de husk;
W'en she cook 'er bread, she give me de crust.
She put de hosses in de stable;
But one jump out, an' skin his nable.
Jes look at Ole Aunt Kate at de gyardin gate!
Still she's always late.
Hurrah fer Ole Aunt Kate by de gyardin gate!
She's a fine ole 'oman.
Git down dat sifter, take down dat tray!
Go 'long, Honey, dere hain't no udder way!
She put on dat hoe cake, she went 'round de house.
She cook dat 'Possum, an' she call 'im a mouse!
Hurrah fer Ole Aunt Kate by de gyardin gate!
She's a fine playmate.
CHILDREN'S SEATING RHYME
You set outside, an' ketch de cow-hide.
I'll set in de middle, an' play de gol' fiddle.
You set 'round about, an' git scrouged out.
MY BABY
I'se de daddy of dis liddle black baby.
He's his mammy's onliest sweetest liddle Coon.
Got de look on de forehead lak his daddy,
Pretty eyes jes as big as de moon.
I'se de daddy of dis liddle black baby.
Yes, his mammy keep de "Sugar" rollin' over.
She feed him wid a tin cup an' a spoon;
An' he kick lak a pony eatin' clover.
A RACE-STARTER'S RHYME
One fer de money!
Two fer de show!
Three to git ready,
An' four fer to go!
NESTING
De jaybird build on a swingin' lim',
De sparrow in de gyardin;
Dat ole gray goose in de panel o' de fence,
An' de gander on de t'other side o' Jordan.
BABY WANTS CHERRIES
De cherries, dey're red; de cherries, dey're ripe;
An' de baby it want one.
De cherries, dey're hard; de cherries, dey're sour;
An' de baby cain't git none.
Jes look at dat bird in de cherry tree!
He's pickin' 'em one by one!
He's shakin' his bill, he's gittin' it fill',
An' down dat th'oat dey run!
Nev' mind! Bye an' bye dat bird's gwineter fly,
An' mammy's gwineter make dat pie.
She'll give you a few, fer de baby cain't chew,
An' de Pickaninny sholy won't cry.
A PRETTY PAIR OF CHICKENS
Dat box-legged rooster, an' dat bow-legged hen
Make a mighty pretty couple, not to be no kin.
Dey's jes lak some Niggers wearin' white folks ole britches,
Dey thinks dey's lookin' fine, w'en dey needs lots of stitches.
TOO MUCH WATERMELON
Dere wus a great big watermillion growin' on de vine.
Dere wus a liddle ugly Nigger watchin' all de time.
An' w'en dat great big watermillion lay ripenin' in de sun,
An' de stripes along its purty skin wus comin' one by one,
Dat ugly Nigger pulled it off an' toted it away,
An' he e't dat great big watermillion all in one single day.
He e't de rinds, an' red meat too, he finish it all trim;
An' den,--dat great big watermillion up an' finish him.
BUTTERFLY
Pretty liddle butterfly, yaller as de gold,
My sweet liddle butterfly, you sh[=o]' is mighty bold.
You can dance out in de sun, you can fly up high,
But you know I'se bound to git you, yet, my liddle butterfly.
THE HATED BLACKBIRD AND CROW
Dat Blackbird say unto de Crow:
"Dat's why de white folks hates us so;
For ever since ole Adam wus born,
It's been our rule to gedder green corn."
Dat Blackbird say unto de Crow:
"If you's not black, den I don't know.
White folks calls you black, but I say not;
Caze de kittle musn' talk about de pot."
IN A RUSH
Here I comes jes a-rearin' an' a-pitchin',
I hain't had no kiss since I lef' de ole kitchin.
Candy, dat's sweet; dat's very, very clear;
But a kiss from y[=o]' lips would be sweeter, my dear.
TAKING A WALK
We's a-walkin' in de green grass dust, dust, dust.
We's a-walkin' in de green grass dust.
If you's jes as sweet as I thinks you to be,
I'll take you by y[=o]' liddle hand to walk wid me.
PAYING DEBTS WITH KICKS
I owes y[=o]' daddy a peck o' peas.
I'se gwineter pay it wid my knees.
I owes y[=o]' mammy a pound o' meat;
An' I'se gwineter pay dat wid my feet.
Now, if I owes 'em somethin' m[=o]';
You come right back an' let me know.
Please say to dem ('fore I fergets)
I never fails to pay my debts.
GETTING TEN NEGRO BOYS TOGETHER
One liddle Nigger boy whistle an' stew,
He whistle up anudder Nigger an' dat make two.
Two liddle Nigger boys shuck de apple tree,
Down fall anudder Nigger, an' dat make three.
Three liddle Nigger boys, a-wantin' one more,
Never has no trouble a-gittin' up four.
Four liddle Nigger boys, dey cain't drive.
Dey hire a Nigger hack boy, an' dat make five.
Five liddle Niggers, bein' calcullated men,
Call anudder Nigger 'piece an' dat make ten.
HAWK AND CHICKENS
Hen an' chickens in a fodder stack,
Mighty busy scratchin'.
Hawk settin' off on a swingin' lim',
Ready fer de catchin'.
Hawk come a-whizzin' wid his bitin' mouf,
Couldn' hold hisself in.
Hen, flyin' up, knock his eye clean out;
An' de Jaybird died a-laughin'.
MUD-LOG POND
As I stepped down by de Mud-log pon',
I seed dat bullfrog wid his shoe-boots on.
His eyes wus glass, an' his heels wus brass;
An' I give him a dollar fer to let me pass.
WHAT WILL WE DO FOR BACON?
What will we do fer bacon now?
I'se shot, I'se shot de ole sandy sow!
She jumped de fence an' broke de rail;
An'--"Bam!"--I shot her on de tail.
A LITTLE PICKANINNY
Me an' its mammy is both gwine to town,
To git dis Pickaninny a liddle hat an' gown.
Don't you never let him waller on de fl[=o]'!
He's a liddle Pickaninny,
Born in ole Virginy.
Mammy! Don't de baby grow?
Setch a eatin' o' de honey an' a drinkin' o' de wine!
We's gwine down togedder fer to have a good time;
An' we's gwineter eat, an' drink m[=o]' an' m[=o]'.
Oh, sweet liddle [42]Pickaninny,
Born in ole Virginy.
Mammy! How de baby grow!
[42] Pickanniny appears to have been an African word used by the early
American slaves for the word baby.
DON'T SING BEFORE BREAKFAST[43]
Don't sing out 'fore Breakfast,
Don't sing 'fore you eat,
Or you'll cry out 'fore midnight,
You'll cry 'fore you sleep.
[43] A superstition.
MY FOLKS AND YOUR FOLKS
If you an' y[=o]' folks
Likes me an' my folks,
Lak me an' my folks,
Likes you an' y[=o]' folks;
You's never seed folks,
Since folks 'as been folks,
Like you an' y[=o]' folks,
Lak me an' my folks.
LITTLE SLEEPING NEGROES
One liddle Nigger a-lyin' in de bed;
His eyes shet an' still, lak he been dead.
Two liddle Niggers a-lyin' in de bed;
A-snorin' an' a-dreamin' of a table spread.
Three liddle Niggers a-lyin' in de bed;
Deir heels cracked open lak shorten' bread.
Four liddle Niggers a-lyin' in de bed;
Dey'd better hop out, if dey wants to git fed!
MAMMA'S DARLING
Wid flowers on my shoulders,
An' wid slippers on my feet;
I'se my mammy's darlin'.
Don't you think I'se sweet?
I wish I had a fourpence,
Den I mought use a dime.
I wish I had a Sweetheart,
To kiss me all de time.
I has apples on de table,
An' I has peaches on de shelf;
But I wish I had a husband--
I'se so tired stayin' to myself.
STEALING A RIDE
Two liddle Nigger boys as black as tar,
Tryin' to go to Heaben on a railroad chyar.
Off fall Nigger boys on a cross-tie!
Dey's gwineter git to Heaben shore bye-an'-bye.
WASHING MAMMA'S DISHES
When I wus a liddle boy
A-washin' my mammy's dishes,
I rund my finger down my th'oat
An' pulled out two big fishes!
When I wus a liddle boy
A-wipin' my mammy's dishes,
I sticked my finger in my eye
An' I sh[=o]' seed liddle fishes.
De big fish swallowed dem all up!
It put me jes a-thinkin'.
All dem things looks awful cu'ous!
I wonder wus I drinkin'?
WILLIE WEE
Willie, Willie, Willie Wee!
One, two, three.
If you wanna kiss a pretty gal,
Come kiss me.
ONE NEGRO THEME SUNG WITH "FROG WENT A-COURTING"
[music]
FROG WENT A-COURTING
De frog went a-co'tin', he did ride. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
De frog went a-co'tin', he did ride
Wid a sword an' a pistol by 'is side. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
He rid up to Miss Mousie's d[=o]'. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
He rid up to Miss Mousie's d[=o]',
Whar he'd of'en been bef[=o]. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
Says he: "Miss Mousie, is you in?" Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
Says he: "Miss Mousie, is you in?"
"Oh yes, Sugar Lump! I kyard an' spin." Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
He tuck dat Mousie on his knee. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
He tuck dat Mousie on his knee,
An' he say: "Dear Honey, marry me!" Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
"Oh Suh!" she say, "I cain't do dat." Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
"Oh Suh!" she say, "I cain't do dat,
Widout de sayso o' uncle Rat." Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
Dat ole gray Rat, he soon come home. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
Dat ole gray Rat, he soon come home,
Sayin': "Whose been here since I'se been gone?" Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
"A fine young gemmun fer to see." Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
"A fine young gemmun fer to see,
An' one dat axed fer to marry me." Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
Dat Rat jes laugh to split his side. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
Dat Rat jes laugh to split his side.
"Jes think o' Mousie's bein' a bride!" Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
Nex' day, dat rat went down to town. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
Nex' day dat rat went down to town,
To git up de Mousie's Weddin' gown. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
"What's de bes' thing fer de Weddin' gown?" Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
"What's de bes' thing fer de Weddin' gown?"--
"Dat acorn hull, all gray an' brown!" Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
"Whar shall de Weddin' Infar' be?" Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
"Whar shall de Weddin' Infar' be?"--
"Down in de swamp in a holler tree." Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
"What shall de Weddin' Infar' be?" Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
"What shall de Weddin' Infar' be?"--
"Two brown beans an' a blackeyed pea." Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
Fust to come in wus de Bumblebee. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
Fust to come in wus de Bumblebee.
Wid a fiddle an' bow across his knee. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
De nex' dat come wus Khyernel Wren. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
De nex' dat come wus Khyernel Wren,
An' he dance a reel wid de Turkey Hen. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
De nex' dat come wus Mistah Snake. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
De nex' dat come wus Mistah Snake,
He swallowed de whole weddin' cake! Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
De nex' come in wus Cap'n Flea. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
De nex' come in wus Cap'n Flea,
An' he dance a jig fer de Bumblebee. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
An' now come in ole Giner'l Louse. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
An' now come in ole Giner'l Louse.
He dance a breakdown 'round de house. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
De nex' to come wus Major Tick. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
De nex' to come wus Major Tick,
An' he e't so much it make 'im sick. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
Dey sent fer Mistah Doctah Fly. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
Dey sent fer Mistah Doctah Fly.
Says he: "Major Tick, you's boun' to die." Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
Oh, den crep' in ole Mistah Cat. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
Oh, den crep' in ole Mistah Cat,
An' chilluns, dey all hollered, "Scat!!" Uh-huh!!! Uh-huh!!!
It give dat frog a turble fright. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
It give dat frog a turble fright,
An' he up an' say to dem, "Good-night!" Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
Dat frog, he swum de lake aroun'. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
Dat frog, he swum de lake aroun',
An' a big black duck come gobble 'im down. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
"What d'you say 'us Miss Mousie's lot?" Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
"What d'you say 'us Miss Mousie's lot?"--
"W'y--, she got swallered on de spot!" Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
Now, I don't know no m[=o]' 'an dat. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
Now, I don't know no m[=o]' 'an dat.
If you gits m[=o]' you can take my hat. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
An' if you thinks dat hat won't do. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
An' if you thinks dat hat won't do,
Den you mought take my head 'long, too. Uh-huh!!! Uh-huh!!!
SHOO! SHOO!
Shoo! Shoo!
What'll I do?
Run three mile an' buckle my shoe?
No! No!
I'se gwineter go,
An' kill dat chicken on my fl[=o]'.
Oh! My!
Chicken pie!
Sen' fer de Doctah, I mought die.
Christmus here,
Once a year.
Pass dat cider an' 'simmon beer.
FLAP-JACKS
I loves my wife, an' I loves my baby:
An' I loves dem flap-jacks a-floatin' in gravy.
You play dem chyards, an' make two passes:
While I eats dem flap-jacks a-floatin' in 'lasses.
Now: in come a Nigger an' in come a bear,
In come a Nigger dat hain't got no hair.
Good-by, Nigger, go right on back,
Fer I hain't gwineter give you no flap-jack.
TEACHING TABLE MANNERS
Now whilst we's here 'round de table,
All you young ones git right still.
I wants to l'arn you some good manners,
So's you'll think o' Uncle Bill.
Cose we's gwineter 'scuse Merlindy,
Caze she's jes a baby yit.
But it's time you udder young ones
Wus a-l'arnin' a liddle bit.
I can 'member as a youngster,
Lak you youngsters is to-day;
How my mammy l'arnt me manners
In a 'culiar kind o' way.
One o' mammy's ole time 'quaintance.
(Ole Aunt Donie wus her name)
Come one night to see my mammy.
Mammy co'se 'pared fer de same.
Mammy got de sifter, Honey;
An' she tuck an' make up dough,
Which she tu'n into hot biscuits.
Den we all git smart, you know.
'Zerves an' biscuits on de table!
Honey, noways could I wait.
Ole Aunt Donie wus a good ole 'oman,
An' I jes had to pass my plate.
I soon swallered down dem biscuit,
E't 'em faster dan a shoat.
Dey wus a liddle tough an' knotty,
But I chawed 'em lak a goat.
"Pass de biscuits, please, Mam!
Please, Mam, fer I wants some m[=o]'."
Lawd! You'd oughter seed my mammy
Frownin' up, jes "sorter so."
"Won't you pass de biscuit, please, Mam?"
I said wid a liddle fear.
Dere wus not but one m[=o]' lef', Sir.
Mammy riz up out'n her chear.
W'en Aunt Donie lef' our house, Suh,
Mammy come lak bees an' ants,
Put my head down 'twixt her knees, Suh,
Almos' roll me out'n my pants.
She had a great big tough hick'ry,
An' it help till it convince.
Frum dat day clean down to dis one,
I'se had manners ev'r since.
MISS BLODGER
De rats an' de mice, dey rund up stairs,
Fer to hear Miss Blodger say her prayers.
Now here I stan's 'fore Miss Blodger.
She 'spects to hit me, but I'se gwineter dodge her.
THE LITTLE NEGRO FLY
Dere's a liddle Nigger fly
Got a pretty liddle eye;
But he don't know 'is A, B, C's.
He up an' crawl de book,
An' he eben 'pears to look;
But he don't know 'is A, B, C's.
DESTINIES OF GOOD AND BAD CHILDREN
One, two, three, f[=o]', five, six, seben;
All de good chilluns goes to Heaben.
All de bad chilluns goes below,
To [44]segashuate wid ole man [45]Joe.
One, two, three, f[=o]', five, six, seben, eight;
All de good chilluns goes in de Pearly Gate.
But all de bad chilluns goes the Broad Road below,
To segashuate wid ole man Joe.
[44] Segashuate means associate with.
[45] Read first stanza of "Sheep Shell Corn," to know of ole man Joe.
BLACK-EYED PEAS FOR LUCK
One time I went a-huntin',
I heared dat 'possum sneeze.
I hollered back to Susan Ann:
"Put on a pot o' peas."
Dat good ole 'lasses candy,
What makes de eyeballs shine,
Wid 'possum peas an' taters,
Is my dish all de time.
[46]Dem black-eyed peas is lucky;
When e't on New Year's day,
You always has sweet taters,
An' 'possum come your way.
[46] This last stanza embodies one of the old superstitions.
PERIWINKLE[47]
Pennywinkle, pennywinkle, poke out y[=o]' ho'n;
An' I'll give you five dollahs an' a bar'l o' co'n.
Pennywinkle! Pennywinkle! Dat gal love me?
Jes stick out y[=o]' ho'n all pinted to a tree.
[47] The Periwinkle seems to have been used as an oracle by some Negroes
in the days of their enslavement.
TRAINING THE BOY
W'en I wus a liddle boy,
Jes thirteen inches high,
I useter climb de table legs,
An' steal off cake an' pie.
Altho' I wus a liddle boy,
An' tho' I wusn't high,
My mammy took dat keen switch down,
An' whupped me till I cry.
Now I is a great big boy,
An' Mammy, she cain't do it;
My daddy gits a great big stick,
An' pulls me right down to it.
Dey say: "No breakin' dishes now;
No stealin' an' no lies."
An' since I is a great big boy,
Dey 'spects me to act wise.
BAT! BAT![48]
Bat! Bat! Come un'er my hat,
An' I'll give you a slish o' bacon.
But don't bring none y[=o]' ole bedbugs,
If you don't want to git fersaken.
[48] A superstition that it is good luck to catch a bat in one's hat if
he doesn't get bedbugs by so doing.
RANDSOME TANTSOME
Randsome Tantsome!--Gwine to de Fair?
Randsome Tantsome!--W'at you gwineter wear?
"Dem shoes an' stockin's I'se bound to wear!"
Randsome Tantsome a-gwine to de Fair.
ARE YOU CAREFUL?
Is you keerful; w'en you goes down de street,
To see dat y[=o]' cloze looks nice an' neat?
Does you watch y[=o]' liddle step 'long de way,
An' think 'bout dem words dat you say?
RABBIT HASH
Dere wus a big ole rabbit
Dat had a mighty habit
A-settin' in my gyardin,
An' eatin' all my cabbitch.
I hit 'im wid a mallet,
I tapped 'im wid a maul.
Sich anudder rabbit hash,
You's never tasted 'tall.
WHY THE WOODPECKER'S HEAD IS RED
Bill Dillix say to dat woodpecker bird:
"W'at makes y[=o]' topknot red?"
Says he: "I'se picked in de red-hot sun,
Till it's done burnt my head."