[11]Shu't = shirt.
[11]Shu't = shirt.
[11]Shu't = shirt.
MY MULELas' Saddy mornin' Mosser said:"Jump up now, Sambo, out'n bed.Go saddle dat mule, an' go to town;An' bring home Mistiss' mornin' gown."I saddled dat mule to go to town.I mounted up an' he buck'd me down.Den I jumped up from out'n de dust,An' I rid him till I thought he'd bust.
Las' Saddy mornin' Mosser said:"Jump up now, Sambo, out'n bed.Go saddle dat mule, an' go to town;An' bring home Mistiss' mornin' gown."
I saddled dat mule to go to town.I mounted up an' he buck'd me down.Den I jumped up from out'n de dust,An' I rid him till I thought he'd bust.
BULLFROG PUT ON THE SOLDIER CLOTHESBullfrog put on de soldier clo's.He went down yonder fer to shoot at de crows;Wid a knife an' a fo'k between 'is toes,An' a white hankcher fer to wipe 'is nose.Bullfrog put on de soldier clo's.He's a "dead shore shot," gwineter kill demcrows.He takes "Pot," an' "Skillet" from de Fiddler's Ball.Dey're to dance a liddle jig while Jim Crow fall.Bullfrog put on de soldier clo's.He went down de river fer to shoot at de crows.De powder flash, an' de crows fly 'way;An' de Bullfrog shoot at 'em all nex' day.
Bullfrog put on de soldier clo's.He went down yonder fer to shoot at de crows;Wid a knife an' a fo'k between 'is toes,An' a white hankcher fer to wipe 'is nose.
Bullfrog put on de soldier clo's.He's a "dead shore shot," gwineter kill demcrows.He takes "Pot," an' "Skillet" from de Fiddler's Ball.Dey're to dance a liddle jig while Jim Crow fall.
Bullfrog put on de soldier clo's.He went down de river fer to shoot at de crows.De powder flash, an' de crows fly 'way;An' de Bullfrog shoot at 'em all nex' day.
SAIL AWAY, LADIES!Sail away, ladies! Sail away!Sail away, ladies! Sail away!Nev' min' what dem white folks say,May de Mighty bless you. Sail away!Nev' min' what yÅ' daddy say,Shake yÅ' liddle foot an' fly away.Nev' min' if yÅ' mammy say:"De Devil'll git you." Sail away!
Sail away, ladies! Sail away!Sail away, ladies! Sail away!Nev' min' what dem white folks say,May de Mighty bless you. Sail away!
Nev' min' what yÅ' daddy say,Shake yÅ' liddle foot an' fly away.Nev' min' if yÅ' mammy say:"De Devil'll git you." Sail away!
THE BANJO PICKINGHush boys! Hush boys! Don't make a noise,While ole Mosser's sleepin'.We'll run down de Graveyard, an' take out de bones,An' have a liddle Banjer pickin'.I takes my Banjer on a Sunday mornin'.Dem ladies, dey 'vites me to come.We slips down de hill an' picks de liddle chune:"Walk, Tom Wilson Here Afternoon."[12]"Walk Tom Wilson Here Afternoon";"You Cain't Dance Lak ole Zipp Coon."Pick[12]"Dinah's Dinner Ho'n" "Dance 'Round de Room.""Sweep dat Kittle Wid a Bran' New Broom."
Hush boys! Hush boys! Don't make a noise,While ole Mosser's sleepin'.We'll run down de Graveyard, an' take out de bones,An' have a liddle Banjer pickin'.
I takes my Banjer on a Sunday mornin'.Dem ladies, dey 'vites me to come.We slips down de hill an' picks de liddle chune:"Walk, Tom Wilson Here Afternoon."
[12]"Walk Tom Wilson Here Afternoon";"You Cain't Dance Lak ole Zipp Coon."Pick[12]"Dinah's Dinner Ho'n" "Dance 'Round de Room.""Sweep dat Kittle Wid a Bran' New Broom."
[12]Thosemarked [12]are found elsewhere in this volume. We were unable to obtain the other three.
[12]Thosemarked [12]are found elsewhere in this volume. We were unable to obtain the other three.
[12]Thosemarked [12]are found elsewhere in this volume. We were unable to obtain the other three.
OLD MOLLY HAREOle Molly har'!What's you doin' thar?"I'se settin' in de fence corner, smokin' seegyar."Ole Molly har'!What's you doin' thar?"I'se pickin' out a br'or, settin' on a Pricky-p'ar."Ole Molly har'!What's you doin' thar?"I'se gwine cross de Cotton Patch, hard as I can t'ar."Molly har' to-day,So dey all say,Got her pipe o' clay, jes to smoke de time 'way."De dogs say 'boo!'An' dey barks too,I hain't got no time fer to talk to you."
Ole Molly har'!What's you doin' thar?"I'se settin' in de fence corner, smokin' seegyar."
Ole Molly har'!What's you doin' thar?"I'se pickin' out a br'or, settin' on a Pricky-p'ar."
Ole Molly har'!What's you doin' thar?"I'se gwine cross de Cotton Patch, hard as I can t'ar."
Molly har' to-day,So dey all say,Got her pipe o' clay, jes to smoke de time 'way.
"De dogs say 'boo!'An' dey barks too,I hain't got no time fer to talk to you."
An Opossum Hunt Musical Notation
[Listen]
AN OPOSSUM HUNT'Possum meat is good an' sweet,I always finds it good to eat.My dog tree, I went to see.A great big 'possum up dat tree.I retch up an' pull him in,Den dat ole 'possum 'gin to grin.I tuck him home an' dressed him off,Dat night I laid him in de fros'.De way I cooked dat 'possum sound,I fust parboiled, den baked him brown.I put sweet taters in de pan,'Twus de bigges' eatin' in de lan'.
'Possum meat is good an' sweet,I always finds it good to eat.My dog tree, I went to see.A great big 'possum up dat tree.I retch up an' pull him in,Den dat ole 'possum 'gin to grin.
I tuck him home an' dressed him off,Dat night I laid him in de fros'.De way I cooked dat 'possum sound,I fust parboiled, den baked him brown.I put sweet taters in de pan,'Twus de bigges' eatin' in de lan'.
DEVILISH PIGSI wish I had a load o' poles,To fence my new-groun' lot;To keep dem liddle bitsy debblish pigsFrum a-rootin' up all I'se got.Dey roots my cabbage, roots my co'n;Dey roots up all my beans.Dey speilt my fine sweet-tater patch,An' dey ruint my tunnup greens.I'se rund dem pigs, an' I'se rund dem pigs.I'se gittin' mighty hot;An' one dese days w'en nobody look,Dey'll root 'round in my pot.
I wish I had a load o' poles,To fence my new-groun' lot;To keep dem liddle bitsy debblish pigsFrum a-rootin' up all I'se got.
Dey roots my cabbage, roots my co'n;Dey roots up all my beans.Dey speilt my fine sweet-tater patch,An' dey ruint my tunnup greens.
I'se rund dem pigs, an' I'se rund dem pigs.I'se gittin' mighty hot;An' one dese days w'en nobody look,Dey'll root 'round in my pot.
PROMISES OF FREEDOMMy ole Mistiss promise me,W'en she died, she'd set me free.She lived so long dat 'er head got bal',An' she give out'n de notion a dyin' at all.My ole Mistiss say to me:"Sambo, I'se gwine ter set you free."But w'en dat head git slick an' bal',De Lawd couldn' a' killed 'er wid a big green maul.My ole Mistiss never die,Wid 'er nose all hooked an' skin all dry.But my ole Miss, she's somehow gone,An' she lef' "Uncle Sambo" a-hillin' up co'n.Ole Mosser lakwise promise me,W'en he died, he'd set me free.But ole Mosser go an' make his WillFer to leave me a-plowin' ole Beck still.Yes, my ole Mosser promise me;But "his papers" didn' leave me free.A dose of pizen he'ped 'im along.May de Devil preach 'is fūner'l song.
My ole Mistiss promise me,W'en she died, she'd set me free.She lived so long dat 'er head got bal',An' she give out'n de notion a dyin' at all.
My ole Mistiss say to me:"Sambo, I'se gwine ter set you free."But w'en dat head git slick an' bal',De Lawd couldn' a' killed 'er wid a big green maul.
My ole Mistiss never die,Wid 'er nose all hooked an' skin all dry.But my ole Miss, she's somehow gone,An' she lef' "Uncle Sambo" a-hillin' up co'n.
Ole Mosser lakwise promise me,W'en he died, he'd set me free.But ole Mosser go an' make his WillFer to leave me a-plowin' ole Beck still.
Yes, my ole Mosser promise me;But "his papers" didn' leave me free.A dose of pizen he'ped 'im along.May de Devil preach 'is fūner'l song.
WHEN MY WIFE DIESW'en my wife dies, gwineter git me anudder one;A big fat yaller one, jes lak de yudder one.I'll hate mighty bad, w'en she's been gone.Hain't no better 'oman never nowhars been bo'n.W'en I comes to die, you mus'n' bury me deep,But put Sogrum molasses close by my feet.Put a pone o' co'n bread way down in my han'.Gwineter sop on de way to de Promus' Lan'.W'en I goes to die, Nobody mus'n' cry,Mus'n' dress up in black, fer I mought come back.But w'en I'se been dead, an' almos' fergotten;You mought think about me an' keep on a-trottin'.Railly, w'en I'se been dead, you needn' bury me at tall.You mought pickle my bones down in alkihall;Den fold my han's "so," right across my breas';An' go an' tell de folks I'se done gone to "res'."
W'en my wife dies, gwineter git me anudder one;A big fat yaller one, jes lak de yudder one.I'll hate mighty bad, w'en she's been gone.Hain't no better 'oman never nowhars been bo'n.
W'en I comes to die, you mus'n' bury me deep,But put Sogrum molasses close by my feet.Put a pone o' co'n bread way down in my han'.Gwineter sop on de way to de Promus' Lan'.
W'en I goes to die, Nobody mus'n' cry,Mus'n' dress up in black, fer I mought come back.But w'en I'se been dead, an' almos' fergotten;You mought think about me an' keep on a-trottin'.
Railly, w'en I'se been dead, you needn' bury me at tall.You mought pickle my bones down in alkihall;Den fold my han's "so," right across my breas';An' go an' tell de folks I'se done gone to "res'."
Baa Baa Black Sheep Musical Notation
[Listen]
BAA! BAA! BLACK SHEEP"Baa! Baa! Black Sheep,Has you got wool?""Yes, good Mosser,Free bags full.One fer ole Mistis,One fer Miss Dame,An' one fer de good NiggerJes across de lane."PÅÅr liddle Black Sheep,PÅÅr liddle lammy;PÅÅr liddle Black Sheep'sGot no mammy.
"Baa! Baa! Black Sheep,Has you got wool?""Yes, good Mosser,Free bags full.One fer ole Mistis,One fer Miss Dame,An' one fer de good NiggerJes across de lane."PÅÅr liddle Black Sheep,PÅÅr liddle lammy;PÅÅr liddle Black Sheep'sGot no mammy.
HE WILL GET MR. COONOle Mistah Coon, at de break o' day,You needn' think youse gwineter git 'way.Caze ole man Ned, he know how to run,An' he's shÅ' gone fer to git 'is gun.You needn' clam to dat highes' lim',You cain't git out'n de retch o' him.You can stay up dar till de sun done set.I'll bet you a dollar dat he'll git you yet.Ole Mistah Coon, you'd well's to give up.You had well's to give up, I say.Caze ole man Ned is straight atter you,An' he'll git you shÅ' this day.
Ole Mistah Coon, at de break o' day,You needn' think youse gwineter git 'way.Caze ole man Ned, he know how to run,An' he's shÅ' gone fer to git 'is gun.
You needn' clam to dat highes' lim',You cain't git out'n de retch o' him.You can stay up dar till de sun done set.I'll bet you a dollar dat he'll git you yet.
Ole Mistah Coon, you'd well's to give up.You had well's to give up, I say.Caze ole man Ned is straight atter you,An' he'll git you shÅ' this day.
BRING ON YOUR HOT CORNBring along yÅ' hot co'n,Bring along yÅ' col' co'n;But I say bring along,Bring along yÅ'[13]Jimmy-john.Some loves de hot co'n,Some loves de col' co'n;But I loves, I loves,I loves dat Jimmy-john.
Bring along yÅ' hot co'n,Bring along yÅ' col' co'n;But I say bring along,Bring along yÅ'[13]Jimmy-john.
Some loves de hot co'n,Some loves de col' co'n;But I loves, I loves,I loves dat Jimmy-john.
[13]Jimmy-john = a whiskey jug.
[13]Jimmy-john = a whiskey jug.
[13]Jimmy-john = a whiskey jug.
THE LITTLE ROOSTERI had a liddle rooster,He crowed befÅ' day.'Long come a big owl,An'toted him away.But de rooster fight hard,An' de owl let him go.Now all de pretty hensWants dat rooster fer deir beau.
I had a liddle rooster,He crowed befÅ' day.'Long come a big owl,An'toted him away.
But de rooster fight hard,An' de owl let him go.Now all de pretty hensWants dat rooster fer deir beau.
SUGAR IN COFFEESheep's in de meader a-mowin' o' de hay.De honey's in de bee-gum, so dey all say.My head's up an' I'se boun' to go.Who'll take sugar in de coffee-o?I'se de prettiest liddle gal in de county-o.My mammy an' daddy, dey bofe say so.I looks in de glass, it don't say, "No";So I'll take sugar in de coffee-o.
Sheep's in de meader a-mowin' o' de hay.De honey's in de bee-gum, so dey all say.My head's up an' I'se boun' to go.Who'll take sugar in de coffee-o?
I'se de prettiest liddle gal in de county-o.My mammy an' daddy, dey bofe say so.I looks in de glass, it don't say, "No";So I'll take sugar in de coffee-o.
[14]THE TURTLE'S SONGMud turkle settin' on de end of a log,A-watchin' of a tadpole a-turnin' to a frog.He sees Br'er B'ar a-pullin' lak a mule.He sees Br'er Tearpin a-makin' him a fool.Br'er B'ar pull de rope an' he puff an' he blow;But he cain't git de Tearpin out'n de water from below.Dat big clay root is a-holdin' dat rope,Br'er Tearpin's got 'im fooled, an' dere hain't no hope.Mud turkle settin'onde end o' dat log;Sing fer de tadpole a-turnin' to a frog,Sing to Br'er B'ar a-pullin' lak a mule,Sing to Br'er Tearpin a-makin' 'im a fool:—"Oh, Br'er Rabbit! YÅ' eyes mighty big!""Yes, Br'er Turkle! Dey're made fer to see.""Oh, Br'er Tearpin! YÅ' house mighty cu'ous!""Yes, Br'er Turkle, but it jest suits me.""Oh, Br'er B'ar! You pulls mighty stout.""Yes, Br'er Turkle! Dat's right smart said!""Right, Br'er B'ar! Dat sounds bully good,But you'd oughter git a liddle mÅ' pull in de head."
Mud turkle settin' on de end of a log,A-watchin' of a tadpole a-turnin' to a frog.He sees Br'er B'ar a-pullin' lak a mule.He sees Br'er Tearpin a-makin' him a fool.
Br'er B'ar pull de rope an' he puff an' he blow;But he cain't git de Tearpin out'n de water from below.Dat big clay root is a-holdin' dat rope,Br'er Tearpin's got 'im fooled, an' dere hain't no hope.
Mud turkle settin'onde end o' dat log;Sing fer de tadpole a-turnin' to a frog,Sing to Br'er B'ar a-pullin' lak a mule,Sing to Br'er Tearpin a-makin' 'im a fool:—
"Oh, Br'er Rabbit! YÅ' eyes mighty big!""Yes, Br'er Turkle! Dey're made fer to see.""Oh, Br'er Tearpin! YÅ' house mighty cu'ous!""Yes, Br'er Turkle, but it jest suits me."
"Oh, Br'er B'ar! You pulls mighty stout.""Yes, Br'er Turkle! Dat's right smart said!""Right, Br'er B'ar! Dat sounds bully good,But you'd oughter git a liddle mÅ' pull in de head."
[14]For explanation see Study in Negro Folk Rhymes.
[14]For explanation see Study in Negro Folk Rhymes.
[14]For explanation see Study in Negro Folk Rhymes.
RACCOON AND OPOSSUM FIGHTDe raccoon an' de 'possumUnder de hill a-fightin';Rabbit almos' bust his sidesLaughin' at de bitin'.De raccoon claw de 'possumAlong de ribs an' head;'Possum tumble over an' grin,Playin' lak he been dead.
De raccoon an' de 'possumUnder de hill a-fightin';Rabbit almos' bust his sidesLaughin' at de bitin'.
De raccoon claw de 'possumAlong de ribs an' head;'Possum tumble over an' grin,Playin' lak he been dead.
COTTON EYED JOEHol' my fiddle an' hol' my bow,Whilst I knocks ole Cotton Eyed Joe.I'd a been dead some seben years ago,If I hadn' a danced dat Cotton Eyed Joe.Oh, it makes dem ladies love me so,W'en I comes 'roun' pickin' ole Cotton Eyed Joe!Yes, I'd a been married some forty year ago,If I hadn' stay'd 'roun' wid Cotton Eyed Joe.I hain't seed ole Joe, since way las' Fall;Dey say he's been sol' down to Guinea Gall.
Hol' my fiddle an' hol' my bow,Whilst I knocks ole Cotton Eyed Joe.
I'd a been dead some seben years ago,If I hadn' a danced dat Cotton Eyed Joe.
Oh, it makes dem ladies love me so,W'en I comes 'roun' pickin' ole Cotton Eyed Joe!
Yes, I'd a been married some forty year ago,If I hadn' stay'd 'roun' wid Cotton Eyed Joe.
I hain't seed ole Joe, since way las' Fall;Dey say he's been sol' down to Guinea Gall.
RABBIT SOUPRabbit soup! Rabbit sop!Rabbit e't my tunnup top.Rabbit hop, rabbit jump,Rabbit hide behin' dat stump.Rabbit stop, twelve o'clock,Killed dat rabbit wid a rock.Rabbit's mine. Rabbit's skin'.Dress 'im off an' take 'im in.Rabbit's on! Dance an' whoop!Makin' a pot o' rabbit soup!
Rabbit soup! Rabbit sop!Rabbit e't my tunnup top.
Rabbit hop, rabbit jump,Rabbit hide behin' dat stump.
Rabbit stop, twelve o'clock,Killed dat rabbit wid a rock.
Rabbit's mine. Rabbit's skin'.Dress 'im off an' take 'im in.
Rabbit's on! Dance an' whoop!Makin' a pot o' rabbit soup!
OLD GRAY MINKI once did think dat I would sink,But you know I wus dat ole gray mink.Dat ole gray mink jes couldn' die,W'en he thought about good chicken pie.He swum dat creek above de mill,An' he's killing an' eatin' chicken still.
I once did think dat I would sink,But you know I wus dat ole gray mink.
Dat ole gray mink jes couldn' die,W'en he thought about good chicken pie.
He swum dat creek above de mill,An' he's killing an' eatin' chicken still.
RUN, NIGGER, RUN!Run, Nigger, run! De[15]Patter-rollers'll ketch you.Run, Nigger, run! It's almos' day.Dat Nigger run'd, dat Nigger flew,Dat Nigger tore his shu't in two.All over dem woods and frou de paster,Dem Patter-rollers shot; but de Nigger git faster,Oh, dat Nigger whirl'd, dat Nigger wheel'd,Dat Nigger tore up de whole co'n field.
Run, Nigger, run! De[15]Patter-rollers'll ketch you.Run, Nigger, run! It's almos' day.
Dat Nigger run'd, dat Nigger flew,Dat Nigger tore his shu't in two.
All over dem woods and frou de paster,Dem Patter-rollers shot; but de Nigger git faster,
Oh, dat Nigger whirl'd, dat Nigger wheel'd,Dat Nigger tore up de whole co'n field.
[15]Patrollers, or white guards; on duty at night during the days of slavery; whose duty it was to see that slaves without permission to go, stayed at home.
[15]Patrollers, or white guards; on duty at night during the days of slavery; whose duty it was to see that slaves without permission to go, stayed at home.
[15]Patrollers, or white guards; on duty at night during the days of slavery; whose duty it was to see that slaves without permission to go, stayed at home.
SHAKE THE PERSIMMONS DOWNDe raccoon up in de 'simmon tree.Dat 'possum on de groun'.De 'possum say to de raccoon: "Suh!""Please shake dem 'simmons down."De raccoon say to de 'possum: "Suh!"(As he grin from down below),"If you wants dese good 'simmons, man,Jes clam up whar dey grow."
De raccoon up in de 'simmon tree.Dat 'possum on de groun'.De 'possum say to de raccoon: "Suh!""Please shake dem 'simmons down."
De raccoon say to de 'possum: "Suh!"(As he grin from down below),"If you wants dese good 'simmons, man,Jes clam up whar dey grow."
THE COW NEEDS A TAIL IN FLY-TIMEDat ole black sow, she can root in de mud,She can tumble an' roll in de slime;But dat big red cow, she git all mired up,So dat cow need a tail in fly-time.Dat ole gray hoss, wid 'is ole bob tail,You mought buy all 'is ribs fer a dime;But dat ole gray hoss can git a kiver on,Whilst de cow need a tail in fly-time.Dat Nigger Overseer, dat's a-ridin' on a mule,Cain't make hisse'f white lak de lime;Mosser mought take 'im down fer a notch or two,Den de cow'd need a tail in fly-time.
Dat ole black sow, she can root in de mud,She can tumble an' roll in de slime;But dat big red cow, she git all mired up,So dat cow need a tail in fly-time.
Dat ole gray hoss, wid 'is ole bob tail,You mought buy all 'is ribs fer a dime;But dat ole gray hoss can git a kiver on,Whilst de cow need a tail in fly-time.
Dat Nigger Overseer, dat's a-ridin' on a mule,Cain't make hisse'f white lak de lime;Mosser mought take 'im down fer a notch or two,Den de cow'd need a tail in fly-time.
JAYBIRD DIED WITH THE WHOOPING COUGHDe Jaybird died wid de Whoopin' Cough,De Sparrer died wid de colic;'Long come de Red-bird, skippin' 'round,Sayin': "Boys, git ready fer de Frolic!"De Jaybird died wid de Whoopin' Cough,De Bluebird died wid de Measles;'Long come a Nigger wid a fiddle on his back,'Vitin' Crows fer to dance wid de Weasels.Dat Mockin'-bird, he romp an' sing;Dat ole Gray Goose come prancin'.Dat Thrasher stuff his mouf wid plums,Den he caper on down to de dancin'.Dey hopped it low, an' dey hopped it high;Dey hopped it to, an' dey hopped it by;Dey hopped it fer, an' dey hopped it nigh;Dat fiddle an' bow jes make 'em fly.
De Jaybird died wid de Whoopin' Cough,De Sparrer died wid de colic;'Long come de Red-bird, skippin' 'round,Sayin': "Boys, git ready fer de Frolic!"
De Jaybird died wid de Whoopin' Cough,De Bluebird died wid de Measles;'Long come a Nigger wid a fiddle on his back,'Vitin' Crows fer to dance wid de Weasels.
Dat Mockin'-bird, he romp an' sing;Dat ole Gray Goose come prancin'.Dat Thrasher stuff his mouf wid plums,Den he caper on down to de dancin'.
Dey hopped it low, an' dey hopped it high;Dey hopped it to, an' dey hopped it by;Dey hopped it fer, an' dey hopped it nigh;Dat fiddle an' bow jes make 'em fly.
WANTED! CORNBREAD AND COONI'se gwine now a-huntin' to ketch a big fat coon.Gwineter bring him home, an' bake him, an' eat him wid a spoon.Gwineter baste him up wid gravy, an' add some onions too.I'se gwineter shet de Niggers out, an' stuff myse'f clean through.I wants a piece o' hoecake; I wants a piece o' bread,An' I wants a piece o' Johnnycake as big as my ole head.I wants a piece o' ash cake: I wants dat big fat coon!An' I shÅ' won't git hongry 'fore de middle o' nex' June.
I'se gwine now a-huntin' to ketch a big fat coon.Gwineter bring him home, an' bake him, an' eat him wid a spoon.Gwineter baste him up wid gravy, an' add some onions too.I'se gwineter shet de Niggers out, an' stuff myse'f clean through.
I wants a piece o' hoecake; I wants a piece o' bread,An' I wants a piece o' Johnnycake as big as my ole head.I wants a piece o' ash cake: I wants dat big fat coon!An' I shÅ' won't git hongry 'fore de middle o' nex' June.
LITTLE RED HENMy liddle red hen, wid a liddle white foot,Done built her nes' in a huckleberry root.She lay mÅ' aigs dan a flock on a fahm.Anudder liddle drink wouldn' do us no harm.My liddle red hen hatch fifty red chicksIn dat liddle ole nes' of huckleberry sticks.Wid one mÅ' drink, ev'y chick'll make two!Come, bring it on, Honey, an' let's git through.
My liddle red hen, wid a liddle white foot,Done built her nes' in a huckleberry root.She lay mÅ' aigs dan a flock on a fahm.Anudder liddle drink wouldn' do us no harm.
My liddle red hen hatch fifty red chicksIn dat liddle ole nes' of huckleberry sticks.Wid one mÅ' drink, ev'y chick'll make two!Come, bring it on, Honey, an' let's git through.
RATION DAYDat ration day come once a week,Ole Mosser's rich as Gundy;But he gives us 'lasses all de week,An' buttermilk fer Sund'y.Ole Mosser give me a pound o' meat.I e't it all on Mond'y;Den I e't 'is 'lasses all deweek,An' buttermilk fer Sund'y.Ole Mosser give me a peck o' meal,I fed and cotch my tucky;But I e't dem 'lasses all de week,An' buttermilk fer Sund'y.Oh laugh an' sing an' don't git tired.We's all gwine home, some Mond'y,To de honey ponds an' fritter trees;An' ev'ry day'll be Sund'y.
Dat ration day come once a week,Ole Mosser's rich as Gundy;But he gives us 'lasses all de week,An' buttermilk fer Sund'y.
Ole Mosser give me a pound o' meat.I e't it all on Mond'y;Den I e't 'is 'lasses all deweek,An' buttermilk fer Sund'y.
Ole Mosser give me a peck o' meal,I fed and cotch my tucky;But I e't dem 'lasses all de week,An' buttermilk fer Sund'y.
Oh laugh an' sing an' don't git tired.We's all gwine home, some Mond'y,To de honey ponds an' fritter trees;An' ev'ry day'll be Sund'y.
MY FIDDLEIf my ole fiddle wus jes in chune,She'd bring me a dollar ev'y Friday night in June.W'en my ole fiddle is fixed up right,She bring me a dollar in nearly ev'y night.W'en my ole fiddle begin to sing,She make de whole plantation ring.She bring me in a dollar an' sometime mÅ'.Hurrah fer my ole fiddle an' bow!
If my ole fiddle wus jes in chune,She'd bring me a dollar ev'y Friday night in June.W'en my ole fiddle is fixed up right,She bring me a dollar in nearly ev'y night.W'en my ole fiddle begin to sing,She make de whole plantation ring.She bring me in a dollar an' sometime mÅ'.Hurrah fer my ole fiddle an' bow!
DIE IN THE PIG-PEN FIGHTINGDat ole sow said to de barrer:"I'll tell you w'at let's do:Let's go an' git dat broad-axeAnd die in de pig-pen too.""Die in de pig-pen fightin'!Yes, die, die in de wah!Die in de pig-pen fightin',Yes, die wid a bitin' jaw!"
Dat ole sow said to de barrer:"I'll tell you w'at let's do:Let's go an' git dat broad-axeAnd die in de pig-pen too."
"Die in de pig-pen fightin'!Yes, die, die in de wah!Die in de pig-pen fightin',Yes, die wid a bitin' jaw!"
MASTER IS SIX FEET ONE WAYMosser is six foot one way, an' free foot tudder;An' he weigh five hunderd pound.Britches cut so big dat dey don't suit de tailor,An' dey don't meet half way 'round.Mosser's coat come back to a claw-hammer p'int.(Speak sof' or his Bloodhound'll bite us.)His long white stockin's mighty clean an' nice,But a liddle mÅ' holier dan righteous.
Mosser is six foot one way, an' free foot tudder;An' he weigh five hunderd pound.Britches cut so big dat dey don't suit de tailor,An' dey don't meet half way 'round.
Mosser's coat come back to a claw-hammer p'int.(Speak sof' or his Bloodhound'll bite us.)His long white stockin's mighty clean an' nice,But a liddle mÅ' holier dan righteous.
FOX AND GEESEBr'er Fox wa'k out one moonshiny night,He say to hisse'f w'at he's a gwineter do.He say, "I'se gwineter have a good piece o' meat,BefÅ' I leaves dis townyoo.Dis townyoo, dis townyoo!Yes, befÅ' I leaves dis townyoo!"Ole mammy Sopentater jump up out'n bed,An' she poke her head outside o' de dÅ'.She say: "Ole man, my gander's gone.I heared 'im w'en he holler 'quinny-quanio,''Quinny-quanio, quinny-quanio!'Yes, I heared 'im w'en he holler 'quinny-quanio.'"
Br'er Fox wa'k out one moonshiny night,He say to hisse'f w'at he's a gwineter do.He say, "I'se gwineter have a good piece o' meat,BefÅ' I leaves dis townyoo.Dis townyoo, dis townyoo!Yes, befÅ' I leaves dis townyoo!"
Ole mammy Sopentater jump up out'n bed,An' she poke her head outside o' de dÅ'.She say: "Ole man, my gander's gone.I heared 'im w'en he holler 'quinny-quanio,''Quinny-quanio, quinny-quanio!'Yes, I heared 'im w'en he holler 'quinny-quanio.'"
GOOSEBERRY WINENow 'umble Uncle Steben,I wonders whar youse gwine?Don't never tu'n yÅ' back, Suh,On dat good ole gooseberry wine!Oh walk chalk, Ginger Blue!Git over double trouble.You needn' min' de wedderSo's de win' don't blow you double.Now!Uncle Mack! Uncle Mack!Did you ever see de lak?Dat good ole sweet gooseberry wineCall Uncle Steben back.
Now 'umble Uncle Steben,I wonders whar youse gwine?Don't never tu'n yÅ' back, Suh,On dat good ole gooseberry wine!
Oh walk chalk, Ginger Blue!Git over double trouble.You needn' min' de wedderSo's de win' don't blow you double.
Now!Uncle Mack! Uncle Mack!Did you ever see de lak?Dat good ole sweet gooseberry wineCall Uncle Steben back.
I'D RATHER BE A NEGRO THAN A POOR WHITE MANMy name's Ran, I wuks in de san';But I'd druther be a Nigger dan a pÅ' white man.Gwineter hitch my oxes side by side,An' take my gal fer a big fine ride.Gwineter take my gal to de country stÅ';Gwineter dress her up in red calico.You take Kate, an' I'll take Joe.Den off we'll go to de pahty-o.Gwineter take my gal to de Hullabaloo,Whar dere hain't no[16]Crackers in a mile or two.Interlocution:(Fiddler) "Oh, Sal! Whar's de milk strainer cloth?"(Banjo Picker) "Bill's got it wropped 'round his ole sore leg."(Fiddler) "Well, take it down to de gum spring an' give it a cold water rench; I 'spizes nastness anyway. I'se got to have a clean cloth fer de milk."He don't lak whisky but he jest drinks a can.Honey! I'd druther be a Nigger dan a pÅ' white man.I'd druther be a Nigger, an' plow ole BeckDan a white[16]Hill Billy wid his long red neck.
My name's Ran, I wuks in de san';But I'd druther be a Nigger dan a pÅ' white man.
Gwineter hitch my oxes side by side,An' take my gal fer a big fine ride.
Gwineter take my gal to de country stÅ';Gwineter dress her up in red calico.
You take Kate, an' I'll take Joe.Den off we'll go to de pahty-o.
Gwineter take my gal to de Hullabaloo,Whar dere hain't no[16]Crackers in a mile or two.
Interlocution:
(Fiddler) "Oh, Sal! Whar's de milk strainer cloth?"
(Banjo Picker) "Bill's got it wropped 'round his ole sore leg."
(Fiddler) "Well, take it down to de gum spring an' give it a cold water rench; I 'spizes nastness anyway. I'se got to have a clean cloth fer de milk."
He don't lak whisky but he jest drinks a can.Honey! I'd druther be a Nigger dan a pÅ' white man.
I'd druther be a Nigger, an' plow ole BeckDan a white[16]Hill Billy wid his long red neck.
[16]Names applied by Negroes to the poorer class of white people in the South.
[16]Names applied by Negroes to the poorer class of white people in the South.
[16]Names applied by Negroes to the poorer class of white people in the South.
THE HUNTING CAMPSam got up one mornin'A mighty big fros'.Saw "A louse, in de huntin' campAs big as any hoss!"Sam run 'way down de mountain;But w'en Mosser got dar,He swore it twusn't nothin'But a big black b'ar.
Sam got up one mornin'A mighty big fros'.Saw "A louse, in de huntin' campAs big as any hoss!"
Sam run 'way down de mountain;But w'en Mosser got dar,He swore it twusn't nothin'But a big black b'ar.
THE ARKOle Nora had a lots o' handsA clearin' new ground patches.He said he's gwineter build a Ark,An' put tar on de hatches.He had a sassy Mo'gan hossAn' gobs of big fat cattle;An' he driv' em all aboard de Ark,W'en he hear de thunder rattle.An' den de river riz so fas'Dat it bust de levee railin's.De lion got his dander up,An' he lak to a broke de palin's.An' on dat Ark wus daddy Ham;No udder Nigger on dat packet.He soon got tired o' de Barber Shop,Caze he couln' stan' de racket.An' den jes to amuse hisse'f,He steamed a board an' bent it, Son.Dat way he got a banjer up,Fer ole Ham's de fust to make one.Dey danced dat Ark from Ä“en to Ä“en,Ole Nora called de Figgers.Ole Ham, he sot an' knocked de chunes,De happiest of de Niggers.
Ole Nora had a lots o' handsA clearin' new ground patches.He said he's gwineter build a Ark,An' put tar on de hatches.
He had a sassy Mo'gan hossAn' gobs of big fat cattle;An' he driv' em all aboard de Ark,W'en he hear de thunder rattle.
An' den de river riz so fas'Dat it bust de levee railin's.De lion got his dander up,An' he lak to a broke de palin's.
An' on dat Ark wus daddy Ham;No udder Nigger on dat packet.He soon got tired o' de Barber Shop,Caze he couln' stan' de racket.
An' den jes to amuse hisse'f,He steamed a board an' bent it, Son.Dat way he got a banjer up,Fer ole Ham's de fust to make one.
Dey danced dat Ark from Ä“en to Ä“en,Ole Nora called de Figgers.Ole Ham, he sot an' knocked de chunes,De happiest of de Niggers.
GRAY AND BLACK HORSESI went down to de woods an' I couldn' go 'cross,So I paid five dollars fer an ole gray hoss.De hoss wouldn' pull, so I sÅl' 'im fer a bull.De bull wouldn' holler, so I sÅl' 'im fer a dollar.De dollar wouldn' pass, so I throwed it in de grass.Den de grass wouldn' grow. Heigho! Heigho!Through dat huckleberry woods I couldn' git far,So I paid a good dollar fer an ole black mar'.W'en I got down dar, de trees wouldn' bar;So I had to gallop back on dat ole black mar'."Bookitie-bar!" Dat ole black mar'; "Bookitie-bar!" Dat ole black mar'.Yes she trabble so hard dat she jolt off my ha'r.
I went down to de woods an' I couldn' go 'cross,So I paid five dollars fer an ole gray hoss.De hoss wouldn' pull, so I sÅl' 'im fer a bull.De bull wouldn' holler, so I sÅl' 'im fer a dollar.De dollar wouldn' pass, so I throwed it in de grass.Den de grass wouldn' grow. Heigho! Heigho!
Through dat huckleberry woods I couldn' git far,So I paid a good dollar fer an ole black mar'.W'en I got down dar, de trees wouldn' bar;So I had to gallop back on dat ole black mar'."Bookitie-bar!" Dat ole black mar'; "Bookitie-bar!" Dat ole black mar'.Yes she trabble so hard dat she jolt off my ha'r.
RATTLERGo call ole Rattler from de bo'n.Here Rattler! Here!He'll drive de cows out'n de co'n,Here Rattler! Here!Rattler is my huntin' dog.Here Rattler! Here!He's good fer rabbit, good fer hog,Here Rattler! Here!He's good fer 'possum in de dew.Here Rattler! Here!Sometimes he gits a chicken, too.Here Rattler! Here!
Go call ole Rattler from de bo'n.Here Rattler! Here!He'll drive de cows out'n de co'n,Here Rattler! Here!
Rattler is my huntin' dog.Here Rattler! Here!He's good fer rabbit, good fer hog,Here Rattler! Here!
He's good fer 'possum in de dew.Here Rattler! Here!Sometimes he gits a chicken, too.Here Rattler! Here!
BROTHER BEN AND SISTER SALOle Br'er Ben's a mighty good ole man,He don't steal chickens lak he useter.He went down de chicken roos' las' Friday night,An' tuck off a dominicker rooster.Dere's ole Sis Sal, she climbs right well,But she cain't 'gin to climb lak she useter.So yonder she sets a shellin' out co'nTo Mammy's ole bob-tailed rooster.Yes, ole Sis Sal's a mighty fine ole gal,She's shÅ' extra good an' clever.She's done tuck a notion all her own,Dat she hain't gwineter marry never.Ole Sis Sal's got a foot so big,Dat she cain't wear no shoes an' gaiters.So all she want is some red calico,An' dem big yaller yam sweet taters.Now looky, looky here! Now looky, looky there!Jes looky!—Looky 'way over yonder!—Don't you see dat ole gray gooseA-smilin' at de gander?
Ole Br'er Ben's a mighty good ole man,He don't steal chickens lak he useter.He went down de chicken roos' las' Friday night,An' tuck off a dominicker rooster.
Dere's ole Sis Sal, she climbs right well,But she cain't 'gin to climb lak she useter.So yonder she sets a shellin' out co'nTo Mammy's ole bob-tailed rooster.
Yes, ole Sis Sal's a mighty fine ole gal,She's shÅ' extra good an' clever.She's done tuck a notion all her own,Dat she hain't gwineter marry never.
Ole Sis Sal's got a foot so big,Dat she cain't wear no shoes an' gaiters.So all she want is some red calico,An' dem big yaller yam sweet taters.
Now looky, looky here! Now looky, looky there!Jes looky!—Looky 'way over yonder!—Don't you see dat ole gray gooseA-smilin' at de gander?
SIMON SLICK'S MULEDere wus a liddle kickin' man,His name wus Simon Slick.He had a mule wid cherry eyes.Oh, how dat mule could kick!An', Suh, w'en you go up to him,He shet one eye an' smile;Den 'e telegram 'is foot to you,An' sen' you half a mile!
Dere wus a liddle kickin' man,His name wus Simon Slick.He had a mule wid cherry eyes.Oh, how dat mule could kick!
An', Suh, w'en you go up to him,He shet one eye an' smile;Den 'e telegram 'is foot to you,An' sen' you half a mile!
NOBODY LOOKINGWell: I look dis a way, an' I look dat a way,An' I heared a mighty rumblin'.W'en I come to find out, 'twus dad's black sow,A-rootin' an' a-grumblin'.Den: I slipped away down to de big White House.Miss Sallie, she done gone 'way.I popped myse'f in de rockin' chear,An' I rocked myse'f all day.Now: I looked dis a way, an' I looked dat a way,An' I didn' see nobody in here.I jes run'd my head in de coffee pot,An' I drink'd up all o' de beer.
Well: I look dis a way, an' I look dat a way,An' I heared a mighty rumblin'.W'en I come to find out, 'twus dad's black sow,A-rootin' an' a-grumblin'.
Den: I slipped away down to de big White House.Miss Sallie, she done gone 'way.I popped myse'f in de rockin' chear,An' I rocked myse'f all day.
Now: I looked dis a way, an' I looked dat a way,An' I didn' see nobody in here.I jes run'd my head in de coffee pot,An' I drink'd up all o' de beer.
HOECAKEIf you wants to bake a hoecake,To bake it good an' done;Jes' slap it on a Nigger's heel,An' hol' it to de sun.Dat snake, he bake a hoecake,An' sot de toad to mind it;Dat toad he up an' go to sleep,An' a lizard slip an' find it!My mammy baked a hoecake,As big as Alabamer.She throwed it 'g'inst a Nigger's headAn' it ring jes' lak a hammer.De way you bakes a hoecake,In de ole Virginy 'tire;You wrops it 'round a Nigger's heel,An' hÅl's it to de fire.
If you wants to bake a hoecake,To bake it good an' done;Jes' slap it on a Nigger's heel,An' hol' it to de sun.
Dat snake, he bake a hoecake,An' sot de toad to mind it;Dat toad he up an' go to sleep,An' a lizard slip an' find it!
My mammy baked a hoecake,As big as Alabamer.She throwed it 'g'inst a Nigger's headAn' it ring jes' lak a hammer.
De way you bakes a hoecake,In de ole Virginy 'tire;You wrops it 'round a Nigger's heel,An' hÅl's it to de fire.
I WENT DOWN THE ROADI went down de road,I went in a whoop;An' I met Aunt DinahWid a chicken pot o' soup.Sing: "I went away from dar; hook-a-doo-dle, hook-a-doo-dle.""I went away from dar; hook-a-doo-dle-doo!"I drunk up dat soup,An' I let her go by;An' I tÅl' her nex' timeTo bring Missus' pot pie.Sing: "Oh far'-you-well; hook-a-doo-dle, hook-a-doo-dle;Oh far'-you-well, an' a hook-a-doo-dle-doo!"
I went down de road,I went in a whoop;An' I met Aunt DinahWid a chicken pot o' soup.Sing: "I went away from dar; hook-a-doo-dle, hook-a-doo-dle.""I went away from dar; hook-a-doo-dle-doo!"I drunk up dat soup,An' I let her go by;An' I tÅl' her nex' timeTo bring Missus' pot pie.Sing: "Oh far'-you-well; hook-a-doo-dle, hook-a-doo-dle;Oh far'-you-well, an' a hook-a-doo-dle-doo!"
THE OLD HEN CACKLEDDe ole hen she cackled,An' stayed down in de bo'n.She git fat an' sassy,A-eatin' up de co'n.De ole hen she cackled,Git great long yaller laigs.She swaller down de oats,But I don't git no aigs.De ole hen she cackled,She cackled in de lot,De nex' time she cackled,She cackled in de pot.
De ole hen she cackled,An' stayed down in de bo'n.She git fat an' sassy,A-eatin' up de co'n.
De ole hen she cackled,Git great long yaller laigs.She swaller down de oats,But I don't git no aigs.
De ole hen she cackled,She cackled in de lot,De nex' time she cackled,She cackled in de pot.
I LOVE SOMEBODYI loves somebody, yes, I do;An' I wants somebody to love me too.Wid my chyart an' oxes stan'in' 'roun',Her pretty liddle foot needn' tetch de groun'.I loves somebody, yes, I do,Dat randsome, handsome, Stickamastew.Wid her reddingoat an' waterfall,She's de pretty liddle gal dat beats 'em all.
I loves somebody, yes, I do;An' I wants somebody to love me too.Wid my chyart an' oxes stan'in' 'roun',Her pretty liddle foot needn' tetch de groun'.
I loves somebody, yes, I do,Dat randsome, handsome, Stickamastew.Wid her reddingoat an' waterfall,She's de pretty liddle gal dat beats 'em all.
WE ARE "ALL THE GO"Yes! We's "All-de-go," boys; we's "All-de-go."Me an' my Lulu gal's "All-de-go."I jes' loves my sweet pretty liddle Lulu Ann,But de way she gits my money I cain't hardly understan'.W'en she up an' call me "Honey!" I fergits my name is Sam,An' I hain't got one nickel lef' to git a me a dram.Still: We's "All-de-go," boys; we's "All-de-go."Me an' my Lulu gal's "All-de-go."She's always gwine a-fishin', w'en she'd oughter not to go;An' now she's all a troubled wid de frostes an' de snow.I tells you jes one thing dat I'se done gone an' foun':De Nigs cain't git no livin' 'round de CÅ't House steps an' town.
Yes! We's "All-de-go," boys; we's "All-de-go."Me an' my Lulu gal's "All-de-go."I jes' loves my sweet pretty liddle Lulu Ann,But de way she gits my money I cain't hardly understan'.W'en she up an' call me "Honey!" I fergits my name is Sam,An' I hain't got one nickel lef' to git a me a dram.
Still: We's "All-de-go," boys; we's "All-de-go."Me an' my Lulu gal's "All-de-go."She's always gwine a-fishin', w'en she'd oughter not to go;An' now she's all a troubled wid de frostes an' de snow.I tells you jes one thing dat I'se done gone an' foun':De Nigs cain't git no livin' 'round de CÅ't House steps an' town.