GETTING TEN NEGRO BOYS TOGETHEROne 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.
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 CHICKENSHen 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'.
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 PONDAs 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.
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.
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 PICKANINNYMe 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 flō'!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 mō' an' mō'.Oh, sweet liddle[42]Pickaninny,Born in ole Virginy.Mammy! How de baby grow!
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 flō'!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 mō' an' mō'.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.
[42]Pickanniny appears to have been an African word used by the early American slaves for the word baby.
[42]Pickanniny appears to have been an African word used by the early American slaves for the word baby.
[43]DON'T SING BEFORE BREAKFASTDon't sing out 'fore Breakfast,Don't sing 'fore you eat,Or you'll cry out 'fore midnight,You'll cry 'fore you sleep.
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.
[43]A superstition.
[43]A superstition.
MY FOLKS AND YOUR FOLKSIf you an' yō' folksLikes me an' my folks,Lak me an' my folks,Likes you an' yō' folks;You's never seed folks,Since folks 'as been folks,Like you an' yō' folks,Lak me an' my folks.
If you an' yō' folksLikes me an' my folks,Lak me an' my folks,Likes you an' yō' folks;You's never seed folks,Since folks 'as been folks,Like you an' yō' folks,Lak me an' my folks.
LITTLE SLEEPING NEGROESOne 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!
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 DARLINGWid 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.
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 RIDETwo 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.
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 DISHESWhen I wus a liddle boyA-washin' my mammy's dishes,I rund my finger down my th'oatAn' pulled out two big fishes!When I wus a liddle boyA-wipin' my mammy's dishes,I sticked my finger in my eyeAn' I shō' 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'?
When I wus a liddle boyA-washin' my mammy's dishes,I rund my finger down my th'oatAn' pulled out two big fishes!
When I wus a liddle boyA-wipin' my mammy's dishes,I sticked my finger in my eyeAn' I shō' 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 WEEWillie, Willie, Willie Wee!One, two, three.If you wanna kiss a pretty gal,Come kiss me.
Willie, Willie, Willie Wee!One, two, three.If you wanna kiss a pretty gal,Come kiss me.
Frog Went A-Courting Musical Notation
[Listen]
FROG WENT A-COURTINGDe frog went a-co'tin', he did ride. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!De frog went a-co'tin', he did rideWid a sword an' a pistol by 'is side. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!He rid up to Miss Mousie's dō'. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!He rid up to Miss Mousie's dō',Whar he'd of'en been befō. 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 mō' 'an dat. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!Now, I don't know no mō' 'an dat.If you gits mō' 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!!!
De frog went a-co'tin', he did ride. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!De frog went a-co'tin', he did rideWid a sword an' a pistol by 'is side. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!
He rid up to Miss Mousie's dō'. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!He rid up to Miss Mousie's dō',Whar he'd of'en been befō. 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 mō' 'an dat. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!Now, I don't know no mō' 'an dat.If you gits mō' 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 flō'.Oh! My!Chicken pie!Sen' fer de Doctah, I mought die.Christmus here,Once a year.Pass dat cider an' 'simmon beer.
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 flō'.
Oh! My!Chicken pie!Sen' fer de Doctah, I mought die.
Christmus here,Once a year.Pass dat cider an' 'simmon beer.
FLAP-JACKSI 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.
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 MANNERSNow 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 onesWus a-l'arnin' a liddle bit.I can 'member as a youngster,Lak you youngsters is to-day;How my mammy l'arnt me mannersIn 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 mō'."Lawd! You'd oughter seed my mammyFrownin' up, jes "sorter so.""Won't you pass de biscuit, please, Mam?"I said wid a liddle fear.Dere wus not but one mō' 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.
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 onesWus a-l'arnin' a liddle bit.
I can 'member as a youngster,Lak you youngsters is to-day;How my mammy l'arnt me mannersIn 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 mō'."Lawd! You'd oughter seed my mammyFrownin' up, jes "sorter so."
"Won't you pass de biscuit, please, Mam?"I said wid a liddle fear.Dere wus not but one mō' 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 BLODGERDe 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.
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 FLYDere's a liddle Nigger flyGot 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.
Dere's a liddle Nigger flyGot 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 CHILDRENOne, two, three, fō', 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, fō', 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.
One, two, three, fō', 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, fō', 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.
[44]Segashuate means associate with.
[44]Segashuate means associate with.
[45]Read first stanza of "Sheep Shell Corn," to know of ole man Joe.
[45]Read first stanza of "Sheep Shell Corn," to know of ole man Joe.
BLACK-EYED PEAS FOR LUCKOne 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.
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.
[46]This last stanza embodies one of the old superstitions.
[46]This last stanza embodies one of the old superstitions.
[47]PERIWINKLEPennywinkle, pennywinkle, poke out yō' 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 yō' ho'n all pinted to a tree.
Pennywinkle, pennywinkle, poke out yō' 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 yō' 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.
[47]The Periwinkle seems to have been used as an oracle by some Negroes in the days of their enslavement.
[47]The Periwinkle seems to have been used as an oracle by some Negroes in the days of their enslavement.
TRAINING THE BOYW'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.
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.
[48]BAT! BAT!Bat! Bat! Come un'er my hat,An' I'll give you a slish o' bacon.But don't bring none yō' ole bedbugs,If you don't want to git fersaken.
Bat! Bat! Come un'er my hat,An' I'll give you a slish o' bacon.But don't bring none yō' 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.
[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.
[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 TANTSOMERandsome 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.
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 yō' cloze looks nice an' neat?Does you watch yō' liddle step 'long de way,An' think 'bout dem words dat you say?
Is you keerful; w'en you goes down de street,To see dat yō' cloze looks nice an' neat?Does you watch yō' liddle step 'long de way,An' think 'bout dem words dat you say?
RABBIT HASHDere wus a big ole rabbitDat had a mighty habitA-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.
Dere wus a big ole rabbitDat had a mighty habitA-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 REDBill Dillix say to dat woodpecker bird:"W'at makes yō' topknot red?"Says he: "I'se picked in de red-hot sun,Till it's done burnt my head."
Bill Dillix say to dat woodpecker bird:"W'at makes yō' topknot red?"Says he: "I'se picked in de red-hot sun,Till it's done burnt my head."
The chivalry of the Old South rather demanded that all friends should be invited to partake of the meal, if they chanced to come calling about the time of the meal hour. This ideal also pervaded the lowly slave Negro's cabin. In order that this hospitality might not be abused, the Negroes had a little deterrent story which they told their children. Below are the fancied Blessings asked by the fictitious Negro family, in the story, whose hospitality had been abused.
BLESSING WITH COMPANY PRESENTOh Lawd now bless an' bīn' us,An' put ole Satan 'hīn' us.Oh let yō' Sperit mīn' us.Don't let none hongry fīn' us.
Oh Lawd now bless an' bīn' us,An' put ole Satan 'hīn' us.Oh let yō' Sperit mīn' us.Don't let none hongry fīn' us.
BLESSING WITHOUT COMPANYOh Lawd have mussy now upon us,An' keep 'way some our neighbors from us.For w'en dey all comes down upon us,Dey eats mōs' all our victuals from us.
Oh Lawd have mussy now upon us,An' keep 'way some our neighbors from us.For w'en dey all comes down upon us,Dey eats mōs' all our victuals from us.
ANIMAL PERSECUTORSI went up on de mountain,To git a bag o' co'n.Dat coon, he sicked 'is dog on me,Dat 'possum blowed 'is ho'n.Dat gobbler up an' laugh at me.Dat pattridge giggled out.Dat peacock squall to bust 'is sides,To see me runnin' 'bout.
I went up on de mountain,To git a bag o' co'n.Dat coon, he sicked 'is dog on me,Dat 'possum blowed 'is ho'n.
Dat gobbler up an' laugh at me.Dat pattridge giggled out.Dat peacock squall to bust 'is sides,To see me runnin' 'bout.
FOUR RUNAWAY NEGROES—WHENCE THEY CAMEOnce fō' runaway Niggers,Dey met in de road.An' dey ax one nudder:Whar dey come from.Den one up an' say:"I'se jes come down from Chapel HillWhar de Niggers hain't wuked an' never will."Den anudder up an' say:"I'se jes come here from Guinea GallWhar dey eats de cow up, skin an' all."Den de nex' Nigger sayWhar he done come from:"Dey wuked you night an' day as dey could;Dey never had stopped an' dey never would."De las' Nigger sayWhar he come from:"De Niggers all went out to de Ball;De thick, de thin, de short, de tall."But dey'd all please set up,Jes lak ole Br'er RabbitW'en he look fer a dog.An' keep it in mind,Whilst dey boasts 'bout deir galsAn' dem t'other things:"Dat none deir gals wus lak Sallie Jane,Fer dat gal wus sweeter dan sugar cane."
Once fō' runaway Niggers,Dey met in de road.An' dey ax one nudder:Whar dey come from.Den one up an' say:"I'se jes come down from Chapel HillWhar de Niggers hain't wuked an' never will."
Den anudder up an' say:"I'se jes come here from Guinea GallWhar dey eats de cow up, skin an' all."
Den de nex' Nigger sayWhar he done come from:"Dey wuked you night an' day as dey could;Dey never had stopped an' dey never would."
De las' Nigger sayWhar he come from:"De Niggers all went out to de Ball;De thick, de thin, de short, de tall."
But dey'd all please set up,Jes lak ole Br'er RabbitW'en he look fer a dog.An' keep it in mind,Whilst dey boasts 'bout deir galsAn' dem t'other things:"Dat none deir gals wus lak Sallie Jane,Fer dat gal wus sweeter dan sugar cane."
LEARN TO COUNTNaught's a naught,Five's a figger.All fer de white man,None fer de Nigger.Ten's a ten,But it's mighty funny;When you cain't count good,You hain't got no money.
Naught's a naught,Five's a figger.All fer de white man,None fer de Nigger.
Ten's a ten,But it's mighty funny;When you cain't count good,You hain't got no money.
THE WAR IS ONDe boll-weevil's in de cotton,De cut-worm's in de corn,De Devil's in de white man;An' de wah's a-gwine on.Poor Nigger hain't got no home!Poor Nigger hain't got no home!
De boll-weevil's in de cotton,De cut-worm's in de corn,De Devil's in de white man;An' de wah's a-gwine on.Poor Nigger hain't got no home!Poor Nigger hain't got no home!
HOW TO PLANT AND CULTIVATE SEEDSPlant: One fer de blackbirdTwo fer de crow,Three fer de jaybirdAn' fō' fer to grow.Den: When you goes to wuk,Don't never stand still;When you pull de grass,Pull it out'n de hill.
Plant: One fer de blackbirdTwo fer de crow,Three fer de jaybirdAn' fō' fer to grow.
Den: When you goes to wuk,Don't never stand still;When you pull de grass,Pull it out'n de hill.
A MAN OF WORDSA man o' words an' not o' deeds,Is lak a gyarden full o' weeds.De weeds 'gin to growLak a gyarden full o' snow.De snow 'gin to flyLak a eagle in de sky.De sky 'gin to roarLak a hammer on yō' door.De door 'gin to crackLak a hick'ry on yō' back.Yō' back 'gin to smartLak a knife in yō' heart.Yō' heart 'gin to failLak a boat widout a sail.De boat 'gin to sinkLak a bottle full o' ink.Dat ink, it won't writeNeider black nor white.Dat man o' words an' not o' deeds,Is lak a gyarden full o' weeds.
A man o' words an' not o' deeds,Is lak a gyarden full o' weeds.De weeds 'gin to growLak a gyarden full o' snow.De snow 'gin to flyLak a eagle in de sky.De sky 'gin to roarLak a hammer on yō' door.De door 'gin to crackLak a hick'ry on yō' back.Yō' back 'gin to smartLak a knife in yō' heart.Yō' heart 'gin to failLak a boat widout a sail.De boat 'gin to sinkLak a bottle full o' ink.Dat ink, it won't writeNeider black nor white.Dat man o' words an' not o' deeds,Is lak a gyarden full o' weeds.
INDEPENDENTI'se jes as innerpenunt as a pig on ice.Gwineter git up ag'in if I slips down twice.If I cain't git up, I can jes lie down.I don't want no Niggers to be he'pin' me 'roun'.
I'se jes as innerpenunt as a pig on ice.Gwineter git up ag'in if I slips down twice.If I cain't git up, I can jes lie down.I don't want no Niggers to be he'pin' me 'roun'.
TEMPERANCE RHYMEWhisky nor brandy hain't no friend to my kind.Dey killed my pō' daddy, an' dey troubled my mind.Sometime he drunk whisky, sometime he drunk ale;Sometime he kotch de rawhide, an' sometime de flail.On yon'er high mountain, I'll set up dar high;An' de wild geese can cheer me while passin' on by.Go 'way, young ladies, an' let me alone;For you know I'se a poor boy, an' a long ways from home.Go put up de hosses an' give 'em some hay;But don't give me no whisky, so long as I stay.For whisky nor brandy hain't friend to my kind;Dey killed my pō' daddy, an' dey troubled my mind.
Whisky nor brandy hain't no friend to my kind.Dey killed my pō' daddy, an' dey troubled my mind.Sometime he drunk whisky, sometime he drunk ale;Sometime he kotch de rawhide, an' sometime de flail.
On yon'er high mountain, I'll set up dar high;An' de wild geese can cheer me while passin' on by.Go 'way, young ladies, an' let me alone;For you know I'se a poor boy, an' a long ways from home.
Go put up de hosses an' give 'em some hay;But don't give me no whisky, so long as I stay.For whisky nor brandy hain't friend to my kind;Dey killed my pō' daddy, an' dey troubled my mind.
THAT HYPOCRITEI tell you how dat hypocrite do,He come down to my house, an' talk about you;He talk about me, an' he talk about you;An' dat's de way dat hypocrite do.I tell you how dat hypocrite pray.He pray out loud in de hypocrite way.He pray out loud, got a heap to say;An' dat's de way dat hypocrite pray.I tell you how dat hypocrite 'ten',He 'ten' dat he love, an' he don't love men.He 'ten' dat he love, an' he hate Br'er Ben;An' dat's de way dat hypocrite 'ten'.
I tell you how dat hypocrite do,He come down to my house, an' talk about you;He talk about me, an' he talk about you;An' dat's de way dat hypocrite do.
I tell you how dat hypocrite pray.He pray out loud in de hypocrite way.He pray out loud, got a heap to say;An' dat's de way dat hypocrite pray.
I tell you how dat hypocrite 'ten',He 'ten' dat he love, an' he don't love men.He 'ten' dat he love, an' he hate Br'er Ben;An' dat's de way dat hypocrite 'ten'.
DRINKING RAZOR SOUPHe's been drinkin' razzer soup;Dat sharp Nigger, black lak ink.If he don't watch dat tongue o' his,Somebody'll hurt 'im 'fōr' he think.He cain't drive de pigeons t' roost,Dough he talk so big an' smart.Hain't got de sense to tole 'em in.Cain't more 'an drive dat ole mule chyart.
He's been drinkin' razzer soup;Dat sharp Nigger, black lak ink.If he don't watch dat tongue o' his,Somebody'll hurt 'im 'fōr' he think.
He cain't drive de pigeons t' roost,Dough he talk so big an' smart.Hain't got de sense to tole 'em in.Cain't more 'an drive dat ole mule chyart.
OLD MAN KNOW-ALLOle man Know-All, he come 'roundWid his nose in de air, turned 'way frum de ground.His ole woolly head hain't been combed fer a week;It say: "Keep still, while Know-All speak."Ole man Know-All's tongue, it run;He jes know'd ev'rything under de sun.When you knowed one thing, he knowed mō'.He 'us sharp 'nough to stick an' green 'nough to grow.Ole man Know-All died las' week.He got drowned in de middle o' de creek.De bridge wus dar, an' dar to stay.But he knowed too much to go dat way.
Ole man Know-All, he come 'roundWid his nose in de air, turned 'way frum de ground.His ole woolly head hain't been combed fer a week;It say: "Keep still, while Know-All speak."
Ole man Know-All's tongue, it run;He jes know'd ev'rything under de sun.When you knowed one thing, he knowed mō'.He 'us sharp 'nough to stick an' green 'nough to grow.
Ole man Know-All died las' week.He got drowned in de middle o' de creek.De bridge wus dar, an' dar to stay.But he knowed too much to go dat way.
FED FROM THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGEI nebber starts to break my colt,Till he's ole enough to trabble.I nebber digs my taters upWen dey's only right to grabble.So w'en you sees me risin' upTo structify in meetin',You can know I'se climbed de Knowledge TreeAn' done some apple eatin'.
I nebber starts to break my colt,Till he's ole enough to trabble.I nebber digs my taters upWen dey's only right to grabble.So w'en you sees me risin' upTo structify in meetin',You can know I'se climbed de Knowledge TreeAn' done some apple eatin'.
THE TONGUEGot a tongue dat jes run when it walk?It cain't talk.Got a tongue dat can hush when it talk?—It cain't squawk.
Got a tongue dat jes run when it walk?It cain't talk.Got a tongue dat can hush when it talk?—It cain't squawk.
BRAG AND BOASTBrag is a big dog;But Hold Fast, he is better.Dem big black rough hands,Dey cain't write no letter.Boast, he barks an' growls loud;But Bulger, he hain't no shirker.Dat big loud mouf Nigger,He hain't never no worker.
Brag is a big dog;But Hold Fast, he is better.Dem big black rough hands,Dey cain't write no letter.
Boast, he barks an' growls loud;But Bulger, he hain't no shirker.Dat big loud mouf Nigger,He hain't never no worker.
SELF-CONTROLBefo' you says dat ugly word,You stop an' count ten.Den if you wants to say dat word,Begin an' count again.Don't have a tongue tied in de middle,An' loose frum en' to en'.You mus' think twice, den speak once;Dat[49]donkey cain't count ten.
Befo' you says dat ugly word,You stop an' count ten.Den if you wants to say dat word,Begin an' count again.
Don't have a tongue tied in de middle,An' loose frum en' to en'.You mus' think twice, den speak once;Dat[49]donkey cain't count ten.
[49]The somewhat less dignified term was more commonly used.
[49]The somewhat less dignified term was more commonly used.
[49]The somewhat less dignified term was more commonly used.
SPEAK SOFTLY"Wus dat you spoke,Or a fence rail broke?"Br'er Rabbit say to de Jay[50]W'en you don't speak sof',Yō' baits comes off;An' de fish jes swim away.
"Wus dat you spoke,Or a fence rail broke?"Br'er Rabbit say to de Jay[50]W'en you don't speak sof',Yō' baits comes off;An' de fish jes swim away.
[50]The last three lines of the rhyme was a superstition current among antebellum Negroes.
[50]The last three lines of the rhyme was a superstition current among antebellum Negroes.
[50]The last three lines of the rhyme was a superstition current among antebellum Negroes.
STILL WATER RUNS DEEPDat still water, it run deep.Dat shaller water prattle.Dat tongue, hung in a holler head,Jes roll 'round an' rattle.
Dat still water, it run deep.Dat shaller water prattle.Dat tongue, hung in a holler head,Jes roll 'round an' rattle.
DON'T TELL ALL YOU KNOWKeep dis in min', an' all 'll go right;As on yō' way you goes;Be shore you knows 'bout all you tells,But don't tell all you knows.
Keep dis in min', an' all 'll go right;As on yō' way you goes;Be shore you knows 'bout all you tells,But don't tell all you knows.
[51]JACK AND DINAH WANT FREEDOMOle Aunt Dinah, she's jes lak me.She wuk so hard dat she want to be free.But, you know, Aunt Dinah's gittin' sorter ole;An' she's feared to go to Canada, caze it's so cōl'.Dar wus ole Uncle Jack, he want to git free.He find de way Norf by de moss on de tree.He cross dat[52]river a-floatin' in a tub.Dem[53]Patterollers give 'im a mighty close rub.Dar is ole Uncle Billy, he's a mighty good Nigger.He tote all de news to Mosser a little bigger.When you tells Uncle Billy, you wants free fer a fac';De nex' day de hide drap off'n yō' back.
Ole Aunt Dinah, she's jes lak me.She wuk so hard dat she want to be free.But, you know, Aunt Dinah's gittin' sorter ole;An' she's feared to go to Canada, caze it's so cōl'.
Dar wus ole Uncle Jack, he want to git free.He find de way Norf by de moss on de tree.He cross dat[52]river a-floatin' in a tub.Dem[53]Patterollers give 'im a mighty close rub.
Dar is ole Uncle Billy, he's a mighty good Nigger.He tote all de news to Mosser a little bigger.When you tells Uncle Billy, you wants free fer a fac';De nex' day de hide drap off'n yō' back.
[51]The writer wishes to give explanation as to why the rhyme "Jack and Dinah Want Freedom" appears under the Section of Psycho-composite Rhymes as set forth in "The Study——" of our volume. The Negroes repeating this rhyme did not always give the names Jack, Dinah, and Billy, as we here record them, but at their pleasure put in the individual name of the Negro in their surroundings whom the stanza being repeated might represent. Thus this little rhyme was the scientific dividing, on the part of the Negroes themselves, of the members of their race into three general classes with respect to the matter of Freedom.[52]The Ohio River.[53]White guards who caught and kept slaves at the master's home.
[51]The writer wishes to give explanation as to why the rhyme "Jack and Dinah Want Freedom" appears under the Section of Psycho-composite Rhymes as set forth in "The Study——" of our volume. The Negroes repeating this rhyme did not always give the names Jack, Dinah, and Billy, as we here record them, but at their pleasure put in the individual name of the Negro in their surroundings whom the stanza being repeated might represent. Thus this little rhyme was the scientific dividing, on the part of the Negroes themselves, of the members of their race into three general classes with respect to the matter of Freedom.
[51]The writer wishes to give explanation as to why the rhyme "Jack and Dinah Want Freedom" appears under the Section of Psycho-composite Rhymes as set forth in "The Study——" of our volume. The Negroes repeating this rhyme did not always give the names Jack, Dinah, and Billy, as we here record them, but at their pleasure put in the individual name of the Negro in their surroundings whom the stanza being repeated might represent. Thus this little rhyme was the scientific dividing, on the part of the Negroes themselves, of the members of their race into three general classes with respect to the matter of Freedom.
[52]The Ohio River.
[52]The Ohio River.
[53]White guards who caught and kept slaves at the master's home.
[53]White guards who caught and kept slaves at the master's home.
The rhymes "Tuba Blay," "Near Waldo Tee-do O mah nah mejai," "Sai Boddeoh Sumpun Komo," and "Byanswahn-Byanswahn" were kindly contributed by Mr. John H. Zeigler, Monrovia, Liberia, and Mr. C. T. Wardoh of the Bassa Tribe, Liberia. They are natives and are now in America for collegiate study and training.