Negro Folk Rhymes Wise and Otherwise: With a Study
Chapter 1
NEGRO FOLK RHYMES
DANCE RHYME SECTION
JONAH'S BAND PARTY
Setch a kickin' up san'! Jonah's Ban'! Setch a kickin' up san'! Jonah's Ban'! "Han's up sixteen! Circle to de right! We's gwine to git big eatin's here to-night."
Setch a kickin' up san'! Jonah's Ban'! Setch a kickin' up san'! Jonah's Ban'! "Raise yo' right foot, kick it up high, Knock dat [1]Mobile Buck in de eye."
Setch a kickin' up san'! Jonah's Ban'! Setch a kickin' up san'! Jonah's Ban'! "Stan' up, flat foot, [1]Jump dem Bars! [1]Karo back'ards lak a train o' kyars."
Setch a kickin' up san'! Jonah's Ban'! Setch a kickin' up san'! Jonah's Ban'! "Dance 'round, Mistiss, show 'em de p'int; Dat Nigger don't know how to [1]Coonjaint."
[1] These are dance steps. For explanation read the Study in Negro Folk Rhymes.
LOVE IS JUST A THING OF FANCY
Love is jes a thing o' fancy, Beauty's jes a blossom; If you wants to git y[=o]' finger bit, Stick it at a 'possum.
Beauty, it's jes skin deep; Ugly, it's to de bone. Beauty, it'll jes fade 'way; But Ugly'll h[=o]l' 'er own.
STILL WATER CREEK
'Way down yon'er on Still Water Creek, I got stalded an' stayed a week. I see'd Injun Puddin and Punkin pie, But de black cat stick 'em in de yaller cat's eye.
'Way down yon'er on Still Water Creek, De Niggers grows up some ten or twelve feet. Dey goes to bed but dere hain't no use, Caze deir feet sticks out fer de chickens t' roost.
I got hongry on Still Water Creek, De mud to de hub an' de hoss britchin weak. I stewed bullfrog chitlins, baked polecat pie; If I goes back dar, I sh[=o]'s gwine to die.
'POSSUM UP THE GUM STUMP
'Possum up de gum stump, Dat raccoon in de holler; Twis' 'im out, an' git 'im down, An' I'll gin you a half a doller.
'Possum up de gum stump, Yes, cooney in de holler; A pretty gal down my house Jes as fat as she can waller.
'Possum up de gum stump, His jaws is black an' dirty; To come an' kiss you, pretty gal, I'd run lak a gobbler tucky.
'Possum up de gum stump, A good man's hard to f[=i]n'; You'd better love me, pretty gal, You'll git de yudder k[=i]n'.
JOE AND MALINDA JANE
Ole Joe jes swore upon 'is life He'd make Merlindy Jane 'is wife. W'en she hear 'im up 'is love an' tell, She jumped in a bar'l o' mussel shell. She scrape 'er back till de skin come off. Nex' day she die wid de Whoopin' Cough.
WALK, TALK, CHICKEN WITH YOUR HEAD PECKED!
Walk, talk, chicken wid y[=o]' head pecked! You can crow w'en youse been dead. Walk, talk, chicken wid y[=o]' head pecked! You can h[=o]l' high y[=o]' bloody head.
You's whooped dat Blue Hen's Chicken, You's beat 'im at his game. If dere's some fedders on him, Fer dat you's not to blame.
Walk, talk, chicken wid y[=o]' head pecked! You beat ole Johnny Blue! Walk, talk, chicken wid y[=o]' head pecked! Say: "Cock-a-doo-dle-doo--!"
TAILS
De coon's got a long ringed bushy tail, De 'possum's tail is bare; Dat rabbit hain't got no tail 'tall, 'Cep' a liddle bunch o' hair.
De gobbler's got a big fan tail, De pattridge's tail is small; Dat peacock's tail 's got great big eyes, But dey don't see nothin' 'tall.
CAPTAIN DIME
Cappun Dime is a fine w'ite man. He wash his face in a fry'n' pan, He comb his head wid a waggin wheel, An' he die wid de toothache in his heel.
Cappun Dime is a mighty fine feller, An' he sh[=o]' play kyards wid de Niggers in de cellar, But he will git drunk, an' he won't smoke a pipe, Den he will pull de watermillions 'fore dey gits ripe.
CROSSING THE RIVER
I went down to de river an' I couldn' git 'cross. I jumped on er mule an' I thought 'e wus er hoss. Dat mule 'e wa'k in an' git mired up in de san'; You'd oughter see'd dis Nigger make back fer de lan'!
I want to cross de river but I caint git 'cross; So I mounted on a ram, fer I thought 'e wus er hoss. I plunged him in, but he sorter fail to swim; An' I give five dollars fer to git 'im out ag'in.
Yes, I went down to de river an' I couldn' git 'cross, So I give a whole dollar fer a ole blin' hoss; Den I souzed him in an' he sink 'stead o' swim. Do you know I got wet clean to my ole hat brim?
T-U-TURKEY
T-u, tucky, T-u, ti. T-u, tucky, buzzard's eye. T-u, tucky, T-u, ting. T-u, tucky, buzzard's wing. Oh, Mistah Washin'ton! Don't whoop me, Whoop dat Nigger Back 'hind dat tree. He stole tucky, I didn' steal none. Go wuk him in de co'n field jes fer fun.
CHICKEN IN THE BREAD TRAY
"Auntie, will y[=o]' dog bite?"-- "No, Chile! No!" Chicken in de bread tray A makin' up dough.
"Auntie, will y[=o]' broom hit?"-- "Yes, Chile!" Pop! Chicken in de bread tray; "Flop! Flop! Flop!"
"Auntie, will y[=o]' oven bake?"-- "Yes. Jes fry!"-- "What's dat chicken good fer?"-- "Pie! Pie! Pie!"
"Auntie, is y[=o]' pie good?"-- "Good as you could 'spec'." Chicken in de bread tray; "Peck! Peck! Peck!"
MOLLY COTTONTAIL, OR, GRAVEYARD RABBIT
Ole Molly Cottontail, At night, w'en de moon's pale; You don't fail to tu'n tail, You always gives me leg bail.[2]
Molly in de Bramble-brier, Let me git a little nigher; Prickly-pear, it sting lak fire! Do please come pick out de brier!
Molly in de pale moonlight, Y[=o]' tail is sh[=o] a pretty white; You takes it fer 'way out'n sight. "Molly! Molly! Molly Bright!"
Ole Molly Cottontail, You sets up on a rotten rail! You tears through de graveyard! You makes dem ugly [3]hants wail.
Ole Molly Cottontail, Won't you be shore not to fail [4]To give me y[=o]' right h[=i]n' foot? My luck, it won't be fer sale.
[2] Leg bail = to run away.
[3] Hants = ghosts or spirits.
[4] This embraces the old superstition that carrying in one's pocket the right hind foot of a rabbit, which has habitually lived about a cemetery, brings good luck to its possessor.
JUBA[5]
Juba dis, an' Juba dat, Juba [6]skin dat Yaller Cat. Juba! Juba!
Juba jump an' Juba sing. Juba, [6]cut dat Pigeon's Wing. Juba! Juba!
Juba, kick off Juba's shoe. Juba, dance dat [6]Jubal Jew. Juba! Juba!
Juba, whirl dat foot about. Juba, blow dat candle out. Juba! Juba!
Juba circle, [6]Raise de Latch. Juba do dat [6]Long Dog Scratch. Juba! Juba!
[5] This peculiar kind of dance rhyme is explained in the Study in Negro Folk Rhymes.
[6] The expressions marked [6] are various kinds of dance steps.
ON TOP OF THE POT
Wild goose gallop an' gander trot; Walk about, Mistiss, on top o' de pot!
Hog jowl bilin', an' tunnup greens hot, Walk about, Billie, on top o' de pot!
Chitlins, hog years, all on de spot, Walk about, ladies, on top o' de pot!
STAND BACK, BLACK MAN[7]
_Oh!_ Stan' back, black man, You cain't shine; Y[=o]' lips is too thick, An' you hain't my k[=i]n'.
_Aw!_ Git 'way, black man, You jes haint fine; I'se done quit foolin' Wid de nappy-headed kind.
_Say?_ Stan' back, black man! Cain't you see Dat a kinky-headed chap Hain't nothin' side o' me?
[7] In a few places in the South, just following the Civil War, the Mulattoes organized themselves into a little guild known as "The Blue Vein Circle," from which those who were black were excluded. This is one of their rhymes.
NEGROES NEVER DIE
Nigger! Nigger never die! He gits choked on Chicken pie. Black face, white shiny eye. Nigger! Nigger!
Nigger! Nigger never knows! Mashed nose, an' crooked toes; Dat's de way de Nigger goes. Nigger! Nigger!
Nigger! Nigger always sing; Jump up, cut de Pidgeon's wing; Whirl, an' give his feet a fling. Nigger! Nigger!
JAWBONE
Samson, shout! Samson, moan! Samson, bring on y[=o]' Jawbone.
Jawbone, walk! Jawbone, talk! Jawbone, eat wid a knife an fo'k.
Walk, Jawbone! Jinny, come alon'! Yon'er goes Sally wid de bootees on.
Jawbone, ring! Jawbone, sing! Jawbone, kill dat wicked thing.
INDIAN FLEA
Injun flea, bit my knee; Kaze I wouldn' drink ginger tea.
Flea bite hard, flea bite quick; Flea bite burn lak dat seed tick.
Hit dat flea, flea not dere. I'se so mad I pulls my hair.
I go wild an' fall in de creek. To wash 'im off, I'd stay a week.
AS I WENT TO SHILOH
As I went down To Shiloh Town; I rolled my barrel of Sogrum down. Dem lasses rolled; An' de hoops, dey bust; An' blowed dis Nigger clear to Thundergust!
JUMP JIM CROW
Git fus upon y[=o]' heel, An' den upon y[=o]' toe; An ebry time you tu'n 'round, You jump Jim Crow.
Now fall upon y[=o]' knees, Jump up an' bow low; An' ebry time you tu'n 'round, You jump Jim Crow.
Put y[=o]' han's upon y[=o]' hips, Bow low to y[=o]' beau; An' ebry time you tu'n 'round, You jump Jim Crow.
DANCE RHYME SONG SECTION
[music]
JAYBIRD
De Jaybird jump from lim' to lim', An' he tell Br'er Rabbit to do lak him. Br'er Rabbit say to de cunnin' elf: "You jes want me to fall an' kill myself."
Dat Jaybird a-settin' on a swingin' lim'. He wink at me an' I wink at him. He laugh at me w'en my gun "crack." It kick me down on de flat o' my back.
Nex' day de Jaybird dance dat lim'. I grabs my gun fer to shoot at him. W'en I "crack" down, it split my chin. "Ole Aggie Cunjer" fly lak sin.
Way down yon'er at de risin' sun, Jaybird a-talkin' wid a forked tongue. [8]He's been down dar whar de bad mens dwell. "Ole Friday Devil," fare--you--well!
[8] A superstition. For explanation, see Study in Negro Folk Rhymes.
OFF FROM RICHMOND
I'se off from Richmon' sooner in de mornin'. I'se off from Richmon' bef[=o]' de break o' day. I slips off from Mosser widout pass an' warnin' Fer I mus' see my Donie wharever she may stay.
HE IS MY HORSE
One day as I wus a-ridin' by, Said dey: "Ole man, y[=o]' hoss will die"-- "If he dies, he is my loss; An' if he lives, he is my hoss."
Nex' day w'en I come a-ridin' by, Dey said: "Ole man, y[=o]' hoss may die."-- "If he dies, I'll tan 'is skin; An' if he lives, I'll ride 'im ag'in."
Den ag'in w'en I come a-ridin' by, Said dey: "Ole man, y[=o]' hoss mought die."-- "If he dies, I'll eat his co'n; An' if he lives, I'll ride 'im on."
JUDGE BUZZARD[9]
Dere sets Jedge Buzzard on de Bench. Go tu'n him off wid a monkey wrench! Jedge Buzzard try Br'er Rabbit's case; An' he say Br'er Tarepin win dat race. Here sets Jedge Buzzard on de Bench. Knock him off wid dat monkey wrench!
[9] See Study in Negro Rhymes for explanation.
SHEEP AND GOAT
Sheep an' goat gwine to de paster; Says de goat to de sheep: "Cain't you walk a liddle faster?"
De sheep says: "I cain't, I'se a liddle too full." Den de goat say: "You can wid my ho'ns in y[=o]' wool."
But de goat fall down an' skin 'is shin An' de sheep split 'is lip wid a big broad grin.
JACKSON, PUT THAT KETTLE ON!
Jackson, put dat kittle on! Fire, steam dat coffee done! Day done broke, an' I got to run Fer to meet my gal by de risin' sun.
My ole Mosser say to me, Dat I mus' drink [10]sassfac tea; But Jackson stews dat coffee done, An' he sh[=o]' gits his po'tion: Son!
[10] Sassfac = sassafras.
DINAH'S DINNER HORN
It's a c[=o]l', frosty mornin', An' de Niggers goes to wo'k; Wid deir axes on deir shoulders, An' widout a bit o' [11]shu't.
Dey's got ole husky ashcake, Widout a bit o' fat; An' de white folks'll grumble, If you eats much o' dat.
I runs down to de henhouse, An' I falls upon my knees; It's 'nough to make a rabbit laugh To hear my tucky sneeze.
I grows up on dem meatskins, I comes down on a bone; I hits dat co'n bread fifty licks, I makes dat butter moan.
It's glory in y[=o]' honor! An' don't you want to go? I sholy will be ready Fer dat dinnah ho'n to blow.
Dat ole bell, it goes "Bangity--bang!" Fer all dem white folks bo'n. But I'se not ready fer to go Till Dinah blows her ho'n.
"Poke--sallid!" "Poke--sallid!" Dat ole ho'n up an' blow. Jes think about dem good ole greens! Say? Don't you want to go?
[11] Shu't = shirt.
MY MULE
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 CLOTHES
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 dem crows. 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 y[=o]' daddy say, Shake y[=o]' liddle foot an' fly away. Nev' min' if y[=o]' mammy say: "De Devil'll git you." Sail away!
THE BANJO PICKING
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] Those marked [12] are found elsewhere in this volume. We were unable to obtain the other three.
OLD MOLLY HARE
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."
ONE NEGRO TUNE USED WITH "AN OPOSSUM HUNT"
[music]
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'.
DEVILISH PIGS
I wish I had a load o' poles, To fence my new-groun' lot; To keep dem liddle bitsy debblish pigs Frum 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 FREEDOM
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 Will Fer 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 f[=u]ner'l song.
WHEN MY WIFE DIES
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'."
ONE TUNE USED WITH "BAA! BAA! BLACK SHEEP!"
[music]
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 Nigger Jes across de lane." P[=o][=o]r liddle Black Sheep, P[=o][=o]r liddle lammy; P[=o][=o]r liddle Black Sheep's Got no mammy.
HE WILL GET MR. COON
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 sh[=o]' 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 sh[=o]' this day.
BRING ON YOUR HOT CORN
Bring along y[=o]' hot co'n, Bring along y[=o]' col' co'n; But I say bring along, Bring along y[=o]' [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.
THE LITTLE ROOSTER
I had a liddle rooster, He crowed bef[=o]' 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 hens Wants dat rooster fer deir beau.
SUGAR IN COFFEE
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.
THE TURTLE'S SONG[14]
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' on de 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! Y[=o]' eyes mighty big!" "Yes, Br'er Turkle! Dey're made fer to see." "Oh, Br'er Tearpin! Y[=o]' 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 m[=o]' pull in de head."
[14] For explanation see Study in Negro Folk Rhymes.
RACCOON AND OPOSSUM FIGHT
De raccoon an' de 'possum Under de hill a-fightin'; Rabbit almos' bust his sides Laughin' at de bitin'.
De raccoon claw de 'possum Along de ribs an' head; 'Possum tumble over an' grin, Playin' lak he been dead.
COTTON EYED JOE
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 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 MINK
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.
[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 DOWN
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-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 COUGH
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 COON
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 sh[=o]' won't git hongry 'fore de middle o' nex' June.
LITTLE RED HEN
My liddle red hen, wid a liddle white foot, Done built her nes' in a huckleberry root. She lay m[=o]' aigs dan a flock on a fahm. Anudder liddle drink wouldn' do us no harm.
My liddle red hen hatch fifty red chicks In dat liddle ole nes' of huckleberry sticks. Wid one m[=o]' drink, ev'y chick'll make two! Come, bring it on, Honey, an' let's git through.
RATION DAY
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 de week, 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 FIDDLE
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 m[=o]'. Hurrah fer my ole fiddle an' bow!
DIE IN THE PIG-PEN FIGHTING
Dat ole sow said to de barrer: "I'll tell you w'at let's do: Let's go an' git dat broad-axe And 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 WAY
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 m[=o]' holier dan righteous.
FOX AND GEESE
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, Bef[=o]' I leaves dis townyoo. Dis townyoo, dis townyoo! Yes, bef[=o]' I leaves dis townyoo!"
Ole mammy Sopentater jump up out'n bed, An' she poke her head outside o' de d[=o]'. 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 WINE
Now 'umble Uncle Steben, I wonders whar youse gwine? Don't never tu'n y[=o]' back, Suh, On dat good ole gooseberry wine!
Oh walk chalk, Ginger Blue! Git over double trouble. You needn' min' de wedder So's de win' don't blow you double.
_Now!_ Uncle Mack! Uncle Mack! Did you ever see de lak? Dat good ole sweet gooseberry wine Call Uncle Steben back.
I'D RATHER BE A NEGRO THAN A POOR WHITE MAN
My name's Ran, I wuks in de san'; But I'd druther be a Nigger dan a p[=o]' 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 st[=o]'; 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 p[=o]' white man.
I'd druther be a Nigger, an' plow ole Beck Dan 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.
THE HUNTING CAMP
Sam got up one mornin' A mighty big fros'. Saw "A louse, in de huntin' camp As 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 ARK
Ole Nora had a lots o' hands A clearin' new ground patches. He said he's gwineter build a Ark, An' put tar on de hatches.
He had a sassy Mo'gan hoss An' 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 [=e]en to [=e]en, Ole Nora called de Figgers. Ole Ham, he sot an' knocked de chunes, De happiest of de Niggers.
GRAY AND BLACK HORSES
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 s[=o]l' 'im fer a bull. De bull wouldn' holler, so I s[=o]l' '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.
RATTLER
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 SAL
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'n To Mammy's ole bob-tailed rooster.
Yes, ole Sis Sal's a mighty fine ole gal, She's sh[=o]' 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 goose A-smilin' at de gander?
SIMON SLICK'S MULE
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 LOOKING
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.
HOECAKE
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 head An' 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' h[=o]l's it to de fire.
I WENT DOWN THE ROAD
I went down de road, I went in a whoop; An' I met Aunt Dinah Wid 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 t[=o]l' her nex' time To 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 CACKLED
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 SOMEBODY
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 C[=o]'t House steps an' town.
AUNT DINAH DRUNK
Ole Aunt Dinah, she got drunk. She fell in de fire, an' she kicked up a chunk. Dem embers got in Aunt Dinah's shoe, An' dat black Nigger sh[=o]' got up an' flew.
I likes Aunt Dinah mighty, mighty well, But dere's jes' one thing I hates an' 'spize: She drinks m[=o]' whisky dan de bigges' fool, Den she up an' tell ten thousand lies.
Yes, I won't git drunk an' kick up a chunk. I won't git drunk an' kick up a chunk. I won't git drunk an' kick up a chunk, 'Way down on de ole Plank Road. Oh shoo my Love! My turkle dove. Oh shoo my Love! My turkle dove. Oh shoo my Love! My turkle dove. 'Way down on de ole Plank Road.
THE OLD WOMAN IN THE HILLS
Once: Dere wus an ole 'oman Dat lived in de hills; Put rocks in 'er stockin's, An' sent 'em to mill.
Den: De ole miller swore, By de pint o' his knife; Dat he never had ground up No rocks in his life.
So: De ole 'oman said To dat miller nex' day: "You railly must 'scuse me, It's de onliest way."
"I heared you made meal, A-grindin' on stones. I mus' 'ave heared wrong, It mus' 'ave been bones."
A SICK WIFE
Las' Sadday night my wife tuck sick, An' what d'you reckon ail her? She e't a tucky gobbler's head An' her stomach, it jes' fail her.
She squall out: "Sam, bring me some mint! Make catnip up an' sage tea!" I goes an' gits her all dem things, But she throw 'em back right to me.
Says I: "Dear Honey! Mind nex' time!" "Don't eat from 'A to Izzard'" "I thinks you won' git sick at all, If you saves p[=o]' me de gizzard."
MY WONDERFUL TRAVEL
I come down from ole Virginny, 'Twas on a Summer day; De wedder was all frez up, 'An' I skeeted all de way!
_Interlocution_:
Hand my banjer down to play, Wanter pick fer dese ladies right away;
"W'en dey went to bed, Dey couldn' shet deir eyes," An' "Dey was stan'in' on deir heads, A-pickin' up de pies."
I WOULD NOT MARRY A BLACK GIRL[17]
I wouldn' marry a black gal, I'll tell you de reason why: When she goes to comb dat head De naps'll 'gin to fly.
I wouldn' marry a black gal, I'll tell you why I won't: When she'd oughter wash her face-- Well, I'll jes say she don't.
I woudn' marry a black gal, An' dis is why I say: When you has her face around, It never gits good day.
[17] For discussion see Study in Negro Folk Rhymes.
HARVEST SONG
Las' year wus a good crap year, An' we raised beans an' 'maters. We didn' make much cotton an' co'n; But, Goodness Life, de taters!
You can plow dat ole gray hoss, I'se gwineter plow dat mulie; An' w'en we's geddered in de craps, I'se gwine down to see Julie.
I hain't gwineter wo'k on de railroad. I hates to wo'k on de fahm. I jes wants to set in de cool shade, Wid my head on my Julie's ahm.
You swing Lou, an' I'll swing Sue. Dere hain't no diffunce 'tween dese two. You swing Lou, I'll swing my beau; I'se gwineter buy my gal red calico.
YEAR OF JUBILEE
Niggers, has you seed ole Mosser; (Red mustache on his face.) A-gwine 'roun' sometime dis mawnin', 'Spectin' to leave de place?
Nigger Hands all runnin' 'way, Looks lak we mought git free! It mus' be now de [18]Kingdom Come In de Year o' Jubilee.
Oh, yon'er comes ole Mosser Wid his red mustache all white! It mus' be now de Kingdom Come Sometime to-morrer night.
Yanks locked him in de smokehouse cellar, De key's throwed in de well: It sh[=o]' mus' be de Kingdom Come. Go ring dat Nigger field-bell!
[18] Kingdom Come = Freedom.
SHEEP SHELL CORN
_Oh_: De Ram blow de ho'n an' de sheep shell co'n; An' he sen' it to de mill by de buck-eyed Whippoorwill. Ole Joe's dead an' gone but his [19]Hant blows de ho'n; An' his hound howls still from de top o' dat hill.
_Yes_: De Fish-hawk said unto Mistah Crane; "I wishes to de Lawd dat you'd sen' a liddle rain; Fer de water's all muddy, an de creek's gone dry; If it 'twasn't fer de tadpoles we'd all die."
_Oh_: When de sheep shell co'n wid de rattle of his ho'n I wishes to de Lawd I'd never been bo'n; Caze when de Hant blows de ho'n, de sperits all dance, An' de hosses an' de cattle, dey whirls 'round an' prance.
_Oh_: Yonder comes Skillet an' dere goes Pot; An' here comes Jawbone 'cross de lot. Walk Jawbone! Beat de Skillet an' de Pan! You cut dat Pigeon's Wing, Black Man!
_Now_: Take keer, gemmuns, an' let me through; Caze I'se gwineter dance wid liddle Mollie Lou. But I'se never seed de lak since I'se been bo'n, When de sheep shell co'n wid de rattle of his ho'n!
[19] Hant = spirit or ghost.
PLASTER
Chilluns: Mammy an' daddy had a hoss, Dey want a liddle bigger. Dey sticked a plaster on his back An' drawed a liddle Nigger.
Den: Mammy an' daddy had a dog, His tail wus short an' chunky. Dey slapped a plaster 'round dat tail, An' drawed it lak de monkey.
Well: Mammy an' daddy's dead an' gone. Did you ever hear deir story? Dey sticked some plasters on deir heels, An' drawed 'em up to Glory!
UNCLE NED
Jes lay down de shovel an' de hoe. Jes hang up de fiddle an' de bow. No more hard work fer ole man Ned, Fer he's gone whar de good Niggers go.
He didn' have no years fer to hear, Didn' have no eyes fer to see, Didn' have no teeth fer to eat corn cake, An' he had to let de beefsteak be.
Dey called 'im "Ole Uncle Ned," A long, long time ago. Dere wusn't no wool on de top o' his head In de place whar de wool oughter grow.
When ole man Ned wus dead, Mosser's tears run down lak rain; But ole Miss, she wus a liddle sorter glad, Dat she wouldn' see de ole Nigger 'gain.
THE MASTER'S "STOLEN" COAT
Ole Mosser bought a brand new coat, He hung it on de wall. Dat Nigger [20]stole dat coat away, An' wore it to de Ball.
His head look lak a Coffee pot, His nose look lak de spout, His mouf look lak de fier place, Wid de ashes all tuck out.
His face look lak a skillet lid, His years lak two big kites. His eyes look lak two big biled aigs, Wid de yallers in de whites.
His body 'us lak a stuffed toad frog, His foot look lak a board. Oh-oh! He thinks he is so fine, But he's greener dan a gourd.
[20] Stole, here, means taken temporarily with intention to return.
I WOULDN'T MARRY A YELLOW OR A WHITE NEGRO GIRL[21]
I sho' loves dat gal dat dey calls Sally [22]"Black," An' I sorter loves some of de res'; I first loves de gals fer lovin' me, Den I loves myse'f de bes'.
I wouldn' marry dat yaller Nigger gal, An' I'll tell you de reason why: Her neck's drawed out so stringy an' long, I'se afeared she 'ould never die.
I wouldn' marry dat White Nigger gal, (Fer gracious sakes!) dis is why: Her nose look lak a kittle spout; An' her skin, it hain't never dry.
[21] For discussion see Study in Negro Folk Rhymes.
[22] "Black" here is not the real name. This name is applied because of the complexion of the girls to whom it was sung.
DON'T ASK ME QUESTIONS
Don't ax me no questions, An' I won't tell you no lies; But bring me dem apples, An' I'll make you some pies.
An' if you ax questions, 'Bout my havin' de flour; I fergits to use 'lasses An' de pie'll be all sour.
Dem apples jes wa'k here; An' dem 'lasses, dey run. Hain't no place lak my house Found un'er de sun.
THE OLD SECTION BOSS
I once knowed an ole Sexion Boss but he done been laid low. I once knowed an ole Sexion Boss but he done been laid low. He "Caame frum gude ole Ireland some fawhrty year ago."
W'en I ax 'im fer a job, he say: "Nayger, w'at can yer do?" W'en I ax 'im fer a job, he say: "Nayger, w'at can yer do?" "I can line de track; tote de jack, de pick an' shovel too."
Says he: "Nayger, de railroad's done, an' de chyars is on de track," Says he: "Nayger, de railroad's done, an' de chyars is on de track," "Transportation brung yer here, but y[=o]' money'll take yer back."
I went down to de Deepo, an' my ticket I sh[=o]' did draw. I went down to de Deepo, an' my ticket I sh[=o]' did draw. To take me over dat ole Iron Mountain to de State o' Arkansaw.
As I went sailin' down de road, I met my mudder-in-law. I wus so tired an' hongry, man, dat I couldn' wuk my jaw. Fer I hadn't had no decent grub since I lef' ole Arkansaw.
Her bread wus hard corndodgers; dat meat, I couldn' chaw. Her bread wus hard corndodgers; dat meat, I couldn' chaw. You see; dat's de way de Hoosiers feeds way out in Arkansaw.
THE NEGRO AND THE POLICEMAN
"Oh Mistah Policeman, tu'n me loose; Hain't got no money but a good excuse." Oh hello, Sarah Jane!
Dat ole Policeman treat me mean, He make me wa'k to Bowlin' Green. Oh hello, Sarah Jane!
De way he treat me wus a shame. He make me wear dat Ball an' Chain. Oh hello, Sarah Jane!
I runs to de river, I can't git 'cross; Dat Police grab me an' swim lak a hoss. Oh hello, Sarah Jane!
I goes up town to git me a gun, Dat ole Police sh[=o]' make me run. Oh hello, Sarah Jane!
I goes crosstown sorter walkin' wid a hump An' dat ole Police sh[=o]' make me jump. Oh hello, Sarah Jane!
Sarah Jane, is dat y[=o]' name? Us boys, we calls you Sarah Jane. Well, hello, Sarah Jane!
HAM BEATS ALL MEAT
Dem white folks set up in a Dinin' Room An' dey charve dat mutton an' lam'. De Nigger, he set 'hind de kitchen door, An' he eat up de good sweet ham.
Dem white folks, dey set up an' look so fine, An' dey eats dat ole cow meat; But de Nigger grin an' he don't say much, Still he know how to git what's sweet.
Deir ginger cakes taste right good sometimes, An' deir Cobblers an' deir jam. But fer every day an' Sunday too, Jest gimme de good sweet ham.
Ham beats all meat, Always good an' sweet. Ham beats all meat, I'se always ready to eat. You can bake it, bile it, fry it, stew it, An' still it's de good sweet ham.
SUZE ANN
Yes: I loves dat gal wid a blue dress on, Dat de white folks calls Suze Ann. She's jes' dat gal what stole my heart, 'Way down in Alabam'.
But: She loves a Nigger about nineteen, Wid his lips all painted red; Wid a liddle fuz around his mouf; An' no brains in his head.
Now: Looky, looky Eas'! Oh, looky, looky Wes'! I'se been down to ole Lou'zan'; Still dat ar gal I loves de bes' Is de gal what's named Suze Ann. Oh, head 'er! Head 'er! Ketch 'er! Jump up an' [23]"Jubal Jew." Fer de Banger Picker's sayin': He hain't got nothin' to do.
[23] Jubal Jew is a kind of dance step.
WALK TOM WILSON
Ole Tom Wilson, he had 'im a hoss; His legs so long he couldn' git 'em 'cross. He laid up dar lak a bag o' meal, An' he spur him in de flank wid his toenail heel.
Ole Tom Wilson, he come an' he go, Frum cabin to cabin in de county-o. W'en he go to bed, his legs hang do'n, An' his foots makes poles fer de chickens t' roost on.
Tom went down to de river, an' he couldn' go 'cross. Tom tromp on a 'gater an' 'e think 'e wus a hoss. Wid a mouf wide open, 'gater jump from de san', An' dat Nigger look clean down to de Promus' Lan'.
Wa'k Tom Wilson, git out'n de way! Wa'k Tom Wilson, don't wait all de day! Wa'k Tom Wilson, here afternoon; Sweep dat kitchen wid a bran' new broom.
CHICKEN PIE
If you wants to make an ole Nigger feel good, Let me tell you w'at to do: Jes take off a chicken from dat chicken roost, An' take 'im along wid you. Take a liddle dough to roll 'im up in, An' it'll make you wink y[=o]' eye; Wen dat good smell gits up y[=o]' nose, Frum dat home-made chicken pie.
Jes go round w'en de night's sorter dark, An' dem chickens, dey can't see. Be shore dat de bad dog's all tied up, Den slip right close to de tree. Now retch out y[=o]' han' an' pull 'im in, Den run lak a William goat; An' if he holler, squeeze 'is neck, An' shove 'im un'er y[=o]' coat.
Bake dat Chicken pie! It's mighty hard to wait When you see dat Chicken pie, Hot, smokin' on de plate. Bake dat Chicken pie! Yes, put in lots o' spice. Oh, how I hopes to Goodness Dat I gits de bigges' slice.
I AM NOT GOING TO HOBO ANY MORE
My mammy done tol' me a long time ago To always try fer to be a good boy; To lay on my pallet an' to waller on de fl[=o]'; An' to never leave my daddy's house. I hain't never gwineter hobo no m[=o]'. By George! I hain't never gwineter hobo no m[=o]'.
Yes, bef[=o]' I'd live dat ar hobo life, I'll tell you what I'd jes go an' do: I'd court dat pretty gal an' take 'er fer my wife, Den jes lay 'side dat ar hobo life. I hain't never gwineter hobo no m[=o]'. By George! I hain't never gwineter hobo no m[=o]'.
FORTY-FOUR
If de people'll jes gimme Des a liddle bit o' peace, I'll tell 'em what happen To de Chief o' Perlice. He met a robber Right at de d[=o]'! An' de robber, he shot 'im Wid a forty-f[=o]'! He shot dat Perliceman. He shot 'im sh[=o]'! What did he shoot 'im wid? A forty-f[=o]'.
Dey sent fer de Doctah An' de Doctah he come. He come in a hurry, He come in a run. He come wid his instriments Right in his han', To progue an' find Dat forty-f[=o]', Man! De Doctah he progued; He progued 'im sh[=o]'! But he jes couldn' find Dat forty-f[=o]'.
Dey sent fer de Preachah, An' de preachah he come. He come in a walk, An' he come in to talk. He come wid 'is Bible, Right in 'is han', An' he read from dat chapter, Forty-f[=o]', Man! Dat Preachah, he read. He read, I know. What Chapter did he read frum? 'Twus Forty-f[=o]'!
PLAY RHYME SECTION
BLINDFOLD PLAY CHANT
Oh blin' man! Oh blin' man! You cain't never see. Just tu'n 'round three times You cain't ketch me.
Oh tu'n Eas'! Oh tu'n Wes'! Ketch us if you can. Did you thought dat you'd cotch us, Mistah blin' man?
FOX AND GEESE PLAY
[24](Fox _Call_) "Fox in de mawnin'!" (Goose _Sponse_) "Goose in de evenin'!"
(Fox _Call_) "How many geese you got?" (Goose _Sponse_) "More 'an you're able to ketch!"
[24] For explanation of "call," and "sponse," see Study in Negro Folk Rhymes.
HAWK AND CHICKENS PLAY
[25](Chicken's _Call_) "Chickamee, chickamee, cranie-crow." I went to de well to wash my toe. W'en I come back, my chicken wus gone. W'at time, ole Witch? (Hawk _Sponse_) "One"
(Hawk _Call_) "I wants a chick." (Chicken's _Sponse_) "Well, you cain't git mine."
(Hawk _Call_) "I shall have a chick!" (Chicken's _Sponse_) "You shan't have a chick!"
[25] For explanation of "call," and "sponse," see Study in Negro Folk Rhymes.
CAUGHT BY THE WITCH PLAY
(Human _Call_) "Molly, Molly, Molly-bright!" (Witch _Sponse_) "Three sc[=o]' an' ten!"
(Human _Call_) "Can we git dar 'fore candle-light?" (Witch _Sponse_) "Yes, if y[=o]' legs is long an' light."
(Conscience's Warning _Call_) "You'd better watch out, Or de witches'll git yer!"
GOOSIE-GANDER PLAY RHYME[26]
"Goosie, goosie, goosie-gander! What d'you say?"--"Say: 'Goose!'"-- "Ve'y well, go right along, Honey! I tu'ns y[=o]' years a-loose."
"Goosie, goosie, goosie-gander! What d'you say?"--"Say: 'Gander'" "Ve'y well. Come in de ring, Honey! I'll pull y[=o]' years way yander!"
[26] For explanation read the Study in Negro Folk Rhymes.
HAWK AND BUZZARD
Once: De Hawk an' de buzzard went to roost, An' de hawk got up wid a broke off tooth.
Den: De hawk an' de buzzard went to law, An' de hawk come back wid a broke up jaw.
But lastly: Dat buzzard tried to plead his case, Den he went home wid a smashed in face.
LIKES AND DISLIKES
I sho' loves Miss Donie! Oh, yes, I do! She's neat in de waist, Lak a needle in de case; An' she suits my taste.
I'se gwineter run wid Mollie Roalin'! Oh, yes, I will! She's pretty an' nice Lak a bottle full o' spice, But she's done drap me twice.
I don't lak Miss Jane! Oh no, I don't. She's fat an' stout, Got her mouf sticked out, An' she laks to pout.
SUSIE GIRL
Ring 'round, Miss Susie gal, Ring 'round, "My Dovie." Ring 'round, Miss Susie gal. Bless you! "My Lovie."
Back 'way, Miss Susie gal. Back 'way, "My Money." Now come back, Miss Susie gal. Dat's right! "My Honey."
Swing me, Miss Susie gal. Swing me, "My Starlin'." Jes swing me, my Susie gal. Yes "Love!" "My Darlin'."
SUSAN JANE
I know somebody's got my Lover; Susan Jane! Susan Jane! Oh, cain't you tell me; help me find 'er? Susan Jane! Susan Jane!
If I lives to see nex' Fall; Susan Jane! Susan Jane! I hain't gwineter sow no wheat at all. Susan Jane! Susan Jane!
'Way down yon'er in de middle o' de branch; Susan Jane! Susan Jane! De ole cow pat an' de buzzards dance. Susan Jane! Susan Jane!
PEEP SQUIRREL
Peep squir'l, ying-ding-did-lum; Peep squir'l, it's almos' day, Look squir'l, ying-ding-did-lum, Look squir'l, an' run away.
Walk squir'l, ying-ding-did-lum; Walk squir'l, fer dat's de way. Skip squir'l, ying-ding-did-lum; Skip squir'l, all dress in gray.
Run squir'l! Ying-ding-did-lum! Run squir'l! Oh, run away! I cotch you squir'l! Ying-ding-did-lum! I cotch you squir'l! Now stay, I say.
DID YOU FEED MY COW?
"Did yer feed my cow?" "Yes, Mam!" "Will yer tell me how?" "Yes, Mam!" "Oh, w'at did yer give 'er?" "Cawn an' hay." "Oh, w'at did yer give 'er?" "Cawn an' hay."
"Did yer milk 'er good?" "Yes, Mam!" "Did yer do lak yer should?" "Yes, Mam!" "Oh, how did yer milk 'er?" "Swish! Swish! Swish!" "Oh, how did yer milk 'er?" "Swish! Swish! Swish!"
"Did dat cow git sick?" "Yes, Mam!" "Wus she kivered wid tick?" "Yes, Mam!" "Oh, how wus she sick?" "All bloated up." "Oh, how wus she sick?" "All bloated up."
"Did dat cow die?" "Yes, Mam!" "Wid a pain in 'er eye?" "Yes, Mam!" "Oh, how did she die?" "Uh-! Uh-! Uh-!" "Oh, how did she die?" "Uh-! Uh-! Uh-!"
"Did de Buzzards come?" "Yes, Mam!" "Fer to pick 'er bone?" "Yes, Mam!" "Oh, how did they come?" "Flop! Flop! Flop!" "Oh, how did they come?" "Flop! Flop! Flop!"
A BUDGET
If I lives to see nex' Spring I'se gwineter buy my wife a big gold ring.
If I lives to see nex' Fall, I'se gwinter buy my wife a waterfall.
"When Christmas comes?" You cunnin' elf! I'se gwineter spen' my money on myself.
THE OLD BLACK GNATS
Dem ole black gnats, dey is so bad I cain't git out'n here. Dey stings, an' bites, an' runs me mad; I cain't git out'n here.
Dem ole black gnats dey sings de song, "You cain't git out'n here. Ole Satan'll git you bef[=o]' long; You cain't git out'n here."
Dey burns my years, gits in my eye; An' I cain't git out'n here. Dey makes me dance, dey makes me cry; An' I cain't git out'n here.
I fans an' knocks but dey won't go 'way! I cain't git out'n here. Dey makes me wish 'twus Jedgment Day; Fer I cain't git out'n here.
SUGAR LOAF TEA
Bring through y[=o]' [27]Sugar-l[=o]'-tea, bring through y[=o]' [27]Candy, All I want is to wheel, an' tu'n, an' bow to my Love so handy.
You tu'n here on Sugar-l[=o]'-tea, I'll tu'n there on Candy. All I want is to wheel, an' tu'n, an' bow to my Love so handy.
Some gits drunk on Sugar-l[=o]'-tea, some gits drunk on Candy, But all I wants is to wheel, an' tu'n, an' bow to my Love so handy.
[27] Nicknames applied in imagination to the women engaged in playing in the Play Song.
GREEN OAK TREE! ROCKY'O
Green oak tree! Rocky'o! Green oak tree! Rocky'o! Call dat one you loves, who it may be, To come an' set by de side o' me. "Will you hug 'im once an' kiss 'im twice?" "W'y! I wouldn' kiss 'im once fer to save 'is life!" Green oak tree! Rocky'o! Green oak tree! Rocky'o!
KISSING SONG
A sleish o' bread an' butter fried, Is good enough fer y[=o]' sweet Bride. Now choose y[=o]' Lover, w'ile we sing, An' call 'er nex' onto de ring.
"Oh my Love, how I loves you! Nothin' 's in dis worl' above you. Dis right han', fersake it never. Dis heart, you mus' keep forever. One sweet kiss, I now takes from you; Caze I'se gwine away to leave you."
KNEEL ON THIS CARPET
Jes choose y[=o]' Eas'; jes choose y[=o]' Wes'. Now choose de one you loves de bes'. If she hain't here to take 'er part Choose some one else wid all y[=o]' heart.
Down on dis chyarpet you mus' kneel, Shore as de grass grows in de fiel'. Salute y[=o]' Bride, an' kiss her sweet, An' den rise up upon y[=o]' feet.
SALT RISING BREAD
I loves saltin', saltin' bread. I loves saltin', saltin' bread. Put on dat skillet, nev' mind de lead; Caze I'se gwineter cook dat saltin' bread; Yes, ever since my mammy's been dead, I'se been makin' an' cookin' dat saltin' bread.
I loves saltin', saltin' bread. I loves saltin', saltin' bread. You loves biscuit, butter, an' fat? I can dance Shiloh better 'an dat. Does you turn 'round an' shake y[=o]' head?-- Well; I loves saltin', saltin' bread.
I loves saltin', saltin' bread. I loves saltin', saltin' bread. W'en you ax y[=o]' mammy fer butter an' bread, She don't give nothin' but a stick across y[=o]' head. On cracklin's, you say, you wants to git fed? Well, I loves saltin', saltin' bread.
PRECIOUS THINGS
Hol' my rooster, h[=o]l' my hen, Pray don't tetch my [28]Gooshen Ben'.
Hol' my bonnet, h[=o]l' my shawl, Pray don't tetch my waterfall.
H[=o]l' my han's by de finger tips, But pray don't tetch my sweet liddle lips.
[28] Grecian Bend.
HE LOVES SUGAR AND TEA
Mistah Buster, he loves sugar an' tea. Mistah Buster, he loves candy. Mistah Buster, he's a Jim-dandy! He can swing dem gals so handy.
Charlie's up an' Charlie's down. Charlie's fine an' dandy. Ev'ry time he goes to town, He gits dem gals stick candy.
Dat Niggah, he love sugar an' tea. Dat Niggah love dat candy. Fine Niggah! He can wheel 'em 'round, An' swing dem ladies handy.
Mistah Sambo, he love sugar an' tea. Mistah Sambo love his candy. Mistah Sambo; he's dat han'some man What goes wid sister Mandy.
HERE COMES A YOUNG MAN COURTING
Here comes a young man a courtin'! Courtin'! Courtin'! Here comes a young man a-courtin'! It's Tidlum Tidelum Day. "Say! Won't you have one o' us? Us, Sir? Us, Sir? Say! Won't you have one o' us, Sir?" dem brown skin ladies say.
"You is too black an' rusty! Rusty! Rusty! You is too black an' rusty!" said Tidlum Tidelum Day. "We hain't no blacker 'an you, Sir! You, Sir! You, Sir! We hain't no blacker 'an you, Sir!" dem brown skin ladies say.
"Pray! Won't you have one o' us, Sir? Us, Sir? Us, Sir? Pray! Won't you have one o' us, Sir?" say yaller gals all gay. "You is too ragged an' dirty! Dirty! Dirty! You is too ragged an' dirty!" said Tidlum Tidelum Day.
"You shore is got de bighead! Bighead! Bighead! You shore is got de bighead! You needn' come dis way. We's good enough fer you, Sir! You, Sir! You, Sir! We's good enough fer you, Sir!" dem yaller gals all say.
"De fairest one dat I can see, dat I can see, dat I can see, De fairest one dat I can see," said Tidlum Tidelum Day. "My Lulu, come an' wa'k wid me, wa'k wid me, wa'k wid me. My Lulu, come an' wa'k wid me. 'Miss Tidlum Tidelum Day.'"
ANCHOR LINE
I'se gwine out on de Anchor Line, Dinah! I won't git back 'fore de summer time, Dinah! W'en I come back be "dead in line," I'se gwineter bring you a dollar an' a dime, Shore as I gits in from de Anchor Line, Dinah!
If you loves me lak I loves you, Dinah! No Coon can cut our love in two, Dinah! If you'll jes come an' go wid me, Come go wid me to Tennessee, Come go wid me; I'll set you free,--Dinah!
SALLIE
Sallie! Sallie! don't you want to marry? Sallie! Sallie! do come an' tarry! Sallie! Sallie! Mammy says to tell her when. Sallie! Sallie! She's gwineter kill dat turkey hen!
Sallie! Sallie! When you goes to marry, (Sallie! Sallie!) Marry a fahmin man(!) (Sallie! Sallie!) Ev'ry day'll be Mond'y, (Sallie! Sallie!) Wid a hoe-handle in y[=o]' han'!
SONG TO THE RUNAWAY SLAVE[29]
Go 'way from dat window, "My Honey, My Love!" Go 'way from dat window! I say. De baby's in de bed, an' his mammy's lyin' by, But you cain't git y[=o]' lodgin' here.
Go 'way from dat window, "My Honey, My Love!" Go 'way from dat window! I say; Fer ole Mosser's got 'is gun, an' to Miss'ip' youse been s[=o]l'; So you cain't git y[=o]' lodgin' here.
Go 'way from dat window, "My Honey, My Love!" Go 'way from dat window! I say. De baby keeps a-cryin'; but you'd better un'erstan' Dat you cain't git y[=o]' lodgin' here.
Go 'way from dat window, "My Honey, My Love!" Go 'way from dat window! I say; Fer de Devil's in dat man, an' you'd better un'erstan' Dat you cain't git y[=o]' lodgin' here.
[29] The story went among Negroes that a runaway slave husband returned every night, and knocked on the window of his wife's cabin to get food. Other slaves having betrayed the secret that he was still in the vicinity, he was sold in the woods to a slave trader at reduced price. This trader was to come next day with bloodhounds to hunt him down. On the night after the sale, when the runaway slave husband knocked, the slave wife pinched their baby to make it cry. Then she sang the above song (as if singing to the baby), so that he might, if possible, effect his escape.
DOWN IN THE LONESOME GARDEN
Hain't no use to weep, hain't no use to moan; Down in a lonesome gyardin. You cain't git no meat widout pickin' up a bone, Down in a lonesome gyardin.
Look at dat gal! How she puts on airs, Down in de lonesome gyardin! But whar did she git dem closes she w'ars, Down in de lonesome gyardin?
It hain't gwineter rain, an' it hain't gwineter snow; Down in my lonesome gyardin. You hain't gwinter eat in my kitchen doo', Nor down in my lonesome gyardin.
LITTLE SISTER, WON'T YOU MARRY ME?
Liddle sistah in de barn, jine de weddin'. Youse de sweetest liddle couple dat I ever did see. Oh Love! Love! Ahms all 'round me! Say, liddle sistah, won't you marry me?
Oh step back, gal, an' don't you come a nigh me, Wid all dem sassy words dat you say to me. Oh Love! Love! Ahms all 'roun' me! Oh liddle sistah, won't you marry me?
RAISE A "RUCUS" TO-NIGHT
Two liddle Niggers all dressed in white, (Raise a rucus to-night.) Want to go to Heaben on de tail of a kite. (Raise a rucus to-night.) De kite string broke; dem Niggers fell; (Raise a rucus to-night.) Whar dem Niggers go, I hain't gwineter tell. (Raise a rucus to-night.)
A Nigger an' a w'ite man a playin' seben up; (Raise a rucus to-night.) De Nigger beat de w'ite man, but '[=e]'s skeered to pick it up. (Raise a rucus to-night.) Dat Nigger grabbed de money, an' de w'ite man fell. (Raise a rucus to-night.) How de Nigger run, I'se not gwineter tell. (Raise a rucus to-night.)
Look here, Nigger! Let me tell you a naked fac'; (Raise a rucus to-night.) You mought a been cullud widout bein' dat black; (Raise a rucus to-night.) Dem 'ar feet look lak youse sh[=o]' walkin' back; (Raise a rucus to-night.) An' y[=o]' ha'r, it look lak a chyarpet tack. (Raise a rucus to-night.)
Oh come 'long, chilluns, come 'long, W'ile dat moon are shinin' bright. Let's git on board, an' float down de river, An' raise dat rucus to-night.
SWEET PINKS AND ROSES
Sweet pinks an' roses, strawbeers on de vines, Call in de one you loves, an' kiss 'er if you minds. Here sets a pretty gal, Here sets a pretty boy; Cheeks painted rosy, an' deir eyes battin' black. You kiss dat pretty gal, an' I'll stan' back.
PASTIME RHYME SECTION
SATAN
De Lawd made man, an' de man made money. De Lawd made de bees, an' de bees made honey. De Lawd made ole Satan, an' ole Satan he make sin. Den de Lawd, He make a liddle hole to put ole Satan in.
Did you ever see de Devil, wid his iron handled shovel, A scrapin' up de san' in his ole tin pan? He cuts up mighty funny, he steals all y[=o]' money, He blinds you wid his san'. He's tryin' to git you, man!
JOHNNY BIGFOOT
Johnny, Johnny Bigfoot! Want a pair o' shoes? Go kick two cows out'n deir skins. Run Brudder, tell de news!
THE THRIFTY SLAVE
Jes wuk all day, Den go huntin' in de wood. Ef you cain't ketch nothin', Den you hain't no good. Don't look at Mosser's chickens, Caze dey're roostin' high. Big pig, liddle pig, root hog or die!
WILD NEGRO BILL
I'se wild Nigger Bill Frum Redpepper Hill. I never did wo'k, an' I never will.
I'se done killed de Boss. I'se knocked down de hoss. I eats up raw goose widout apple sauce!
I'se Run-a-way Bill, I knows dey mought kill; But ole Mosser hain't cotch me, an' he never will!
YOU LOVE YOUR GIRL
You loves y[=o]' gal? Well, I loves mine. Y[=o]' gal hain't common? Well, my gal's fine.
I loves my gal, She hain't no goose-- Blacker 'an blackberries, Sweeter 'an juice.
FRIGHTENED AWAY FROM A CHICKEN-ROOST
I went down to de hen house on my knees, An' I thought I heared dat chicken sneeze. You'd oughter seed dis Nigger a-gittin' 'way frum dere, But 'twusn't nothin' but a rooster sayin' his prayer. How I wish dat rooster's prayer would en', Den perhaps I mought eat dat ole gray hen.
BEDBUG
De June-bug's got de golden wing, De Lightning-bug de flame; De Bedbug's got no wing at all, But he gits dar jes de same.
De Punkin-bug's got a punkin smell, De Squash-bug smells de wust; But de puffume of dat ole Bedbug, It's enough to make you bust.
Wen dat Bedbug come down to my house, I wants my walkin' cane. Go git a pot an' scald 'im hot! Good-by, Miss Lize Jane!
HOW TO GET TO GLORY LAND
If you wants to git to Glory Land, I'll tell you what to do: Jes grease y[=o]' heels wid mutton sue, W'en de Devil's atter you. Jes grease y[=o]' heel an' grease y[=o]' han', An' slip 'way--over into Glory Lan'.
DESTITUTE FORMER SLAVE OWNERS
Missus an' Mosser a-walkin' de street, Deir han's in deir pockets an' nothin' to eat. She'd better be home a-washin' up de dishes, An' a-cleanin' up de ole man's raggitty britches. He'd better run 'long an' git out de hoes An' clear out his own crooked weedy corn rows; De Kingdom is come, de Niggers is free. Hain't no Nigger slaves in de Year Jubilee.
FATTENING FROGS FOR SNAKES
You needn' sen' my gal hoss apples You needn' sen' her 'lasses candy; She would keer fer de lak o' you, Ef you'd sen' her apple brandy.
W'y don't you git some common sense? Jes git a liddle! Oh fer land sakes! Quit y[=o]' foolin', she hain't studyin' you! Youse jes fattenin' frogs fer snakes!
THE MULE'S KICK
Is dis me, or not me, Or is de Devil got me? Wus dat a muskit shot me? Is I laid here more'n a week?-- Dat ole mule do kick amazin', An' I 'spec's he's now a-grazin' On de t'other side de creek.
CHRISTMAS TURKEY
I prayed to de Lawd fer tucky-o. Dat tucky wouldn' come. I prayed, an' I prayed 'til I'se almos' daid. No tucky at my home.
Chrismus Day, she almos' here; My wife, she mighty mad. She want dat tucky mo' an' mo'. An' she want 'im mighty bad.
I prayed 'til de scales come on my knees, An' still no tucky come. I tuck myse'f to my tucky roos', An' I brung my tucky home.
A FULL POCKETBOOK
De goose at de barn, he feel mighty funny, Caze de duck find a pocketbook chug full o' money. De goose say: "Whar is you gwine, my Sonny?" An' de duck, he say: "Now good-by, Honey."
De duck chaw terbacker an' de goose drink wine, Wid a stuffed pocketbook dey sh[=o]' had a good time; De grasshopper played de fiddle on a punkin vine 'Till dey all fall over on a sorter dead line.
NO ROOM TO POKE FUN
Nev' m[=i]n' if my nose are flat, An' my face are black an' sooty; De Jaybird hain't so big in song, An' de Bullfrog hain't no beauty.
CROOKED NOSE JANE
I courted a gal down de lane. Her name, it wus Crooked Nose Jane. Her face wus white speckled, her lips wus all red, An' she look jes as lean as a weasel half-fed.
BAD FEATURES
Blue gums an' black eyes; Run 'round an' tell lies. Liddle head, liddle wit; Big long head, not a bit.
Wid his long crooked toes, An' his heel right roun'; Dat flat-footed Nigger Make a hole in de groun'.
MISS SLIPPY SLOPPY
Ole Miss Slippy Sloppy jump up out'n bed, Den out'n de winder she poke 'er nappy head, "Jack! O Jack! De gray goose's dead. Dat fox done gone an' bit off 'er head!"
Jack run up de hill an' he call Mosser's hounds; An' w'en dat fox hear dem turble sounds, He sw'ar by his head an' his hide all 'round, Dat he don't want no dinner, but a hole in de ground.
HOW TO MAKE IT RAIN
Go kill dat snake an' hang him high, Den tu'n his belly to de sky. De storm an' rain'll come bye an' bye.
A WIND-BAG
A nigger come a-struttin' up to me las' night; In his han' wus a walkin' cane, He tipped his hat an' give a low bow; "Howdy-doo! Miss Lize Jane!"
But I didn' ax him how he done, Which make a hint good pinned, Dat I'd druther have a paper bag, When it's sumpin' to be filled up wid wind.
GOING TO BE GOOD SLAVES
Ole Mosser an' Missus has gone down to town, Dey said dey'd git us somethin' an' dat hain't no jokes. I'se gwineter be good all de whilst dey're all 'way, An' I'se gwineter wear stockin's jes lak de white folks.
PAGE'S GEESE[30]
Ole man Page'll be in a turble rage, W'en he find out, it'll raise his dander. Yankee soldiers bought his geese, fer one cent a-piece, An' sent de pay home by de gander.
[30] The Northern soldiers during the Civil War took all of a Southern planter's geese except one lone gander. They put one penny, for each goose taken, into a small bag and tied this bag around the gander's neck. They then sent him home to his owner with the pay of one penny for each goose taken. The Negroes of the community at once made up this little song.
TO WIN A YELLOW GIRL
If you wants to win a yaller gal, I tell you what you do; You "borrow" Mosser's Beaver hat, An' slip on his Long-tailed Blue.
SEX LAUGH
You'se heared a many a gal laugh, An' say: "He! He-he! He-he-he!" But you hain't heared no boy laugh, An' say: "She! She-she! She-she-she!"
OUTRUNNING THE DEVIL
I went upon de mountain, An' I seed de Devil comin'. I retched an' got my hat an' coat, An' I beat de Devil runnin'.
As I run'd down across de fiel', A rattlesnake bit me on de heel. I rears an' pitches an' does my bes', An' I falls right back in a hornet's nes'.
For w'en I wus a sinnah man, I rund by leaps an' boun's. I wus afeard de Devil 'ould ketch me Wid his ole three legged houn's.
But now I'se come a Christun, I kneels right down an' prays, An' den de Devil runs from me-- I'se tried dem other ways.
HOW TO KEEP OR KILL THE DEVIL
If you wants to see de Devil smile, Simpully do lak his own chile.
If you wants to see de Devil git spunk, Swallow whisky, an' git drunk.
If you wants to see de Devil live, Cuss an' swar an' never give.
If you wants to see de Devil run, Jes tu'n a loose de Gospel gun.
If you wants to see de Devil fall, Hit him wid de Gospel ball.
If you wants to see de Devil beg, Nail him wid a Gospel peg.
If you wants to see de Devil sick, Beat him wid a Gospel stick.
If you wants to see de Devil die, Feed him up on Gospel pie.
But de Devil w'ars dat iron shoe, An' if you don't watch, he'll slip it on you.
JOHN HENRY
John Henry, he wus a steel-drivin' man. He died wid his hammer in his han'. O come long boys, an' line up de track, For John Henry, he hain't never comin' back.
John Henry said to his Cappun: "Boss, A man hain't nothin' but a man, An' 'fore I'll be beat in dis sexion gang, I'll die wid a hammer in my han'."
John Henry, he had a liddle boy, He helt 'im in de pam of his han'; An' de las' word he say to dat chile wus: "I wants you to be my steel-drivin' man."
John Henry, he had a pretty liddle wife, An' her name, it wus Polly Ann. She walk down de track, widout lookin' back, For to see her big fine steel-drivin' man.
John Henry had dat pretty liddle wife, An' she went all dress up in red. She walk ev'y day down de railroad track To de place whar her steel-drivin' man fell dead.
THE NASHVILLE LADIES[31]
Dem Nashville ladies dress up fine. Got longpail hoopskirts hanging down beh[=i]n'! Got deir bonnets to deir shoulders an' deir noses in de sky! Big pig! Liddle pig! Root hog, or die!
[31] The name of the place was used where the rhyme was repeated.
THE RASCAL
I'se de bigges' rascal fer my age. I now speaks from dis public stage. I'se stole a cow; I'se stole a calf, An' dat hain't more 'an jes 'bout half.
Yes, Mosser!--Lover of my soul!-- "How many chickens has I stole?" Well; three las' night, an' two night befo'; An' I'se gwine 'fore long to git four m[=o]'.
But you see dat hones' Billy Ben, He done e't more dan erry three men. He e't a ham, den e't a side; He would a e't m[=o]', but you know he died.
COFFEE GROWS ON WHITE FOLKS' TREES
Coffee grows on w'ite folks' trees, But de Nigger can git dat w'en he please. De w'ite folks loves deir milk an' brandy, But dat black gal's sweeter dan 'lasses candy.
Coffee grows on w'ite folks trees, An' dere's a river dat runs wid milk an' brandy. De rocks is broke an' filled wid gold, So dat yaller gal loves dat high-hat dandy.
AUNT JEMIMA
Ole Aunt Jemima grow so tall, Dat she couldn' see de groun'. She stumped her toe, an' down she fell From de Blackwoods clean to town.
W'en Aunt Jemima git in town, An' see dem "tony" ways, She natchully faint an' back she fell To de Backwoods whar she stays.
THE MULE'S NATURE
If you sees a mule tied up to a tree, You mought pull his tail an' think about me. For if a Nigger don't know de natcher of a mule, It makes no diffunce what 'comes of a fool.
I'M A "ROUND-TOWN" GENTLEMAN
I hain't no wagon, hain't no dray, Jes come to town wid a load o' hay. I hain't no cornfield to go to bed Wid a lot o' hay-seeds in my head. I'se a "round-town" Gent an' I don't choose To wuk in de mud, an' do widout shoes.
THIS SUN IS HOT
Dis sun are hot, Dis hoe are heavy, Dis grass grow furder dan I can reach; An' as I looks At dis Cotton fiel', I thinks I mus' 'a' been called to preach.
UNCLE JERRY FANTS
Has you heared 'bout Uncle Jerry Fants? He's got on some cu'ious shapes. He's de one what w'ars dem white duck pants, An' he sot down on a bunch o' grapes.
KEPT BUSY
Jes as soon as de sun go down, My True-love's on my min'. An' jes as soon as de daylight breaks De white folks is got me a gwine.
She's de sweetes' thing in town; An' when I sees dat Nig, She make my heart go "pitty-pat," An' my head go "whirly-gig."
CROSSING A FOOT-LOG
Me an' my wife an' my bobtail dog Start 'cross de creek on a hick'ry log. We all fall in an' git good wet, But I helt to my liddle brown jug, you bet!
WATERMELON PREFERRED
Dat hambone an' chicken are sweet. Dat 'possum meat are sholy fine. But give me,--now don't you cheat!-- (Oh, I jes wish you would give me!) Dat watermillion, smilin' on de vine.
"THEY STEAL" GOSSIP
_You know:_ Some folks say dat a Nigger won't steal, But Mosser cotch six in a watermillion fiel'; A-cuttin', an' a-pluggin' an' a-tearin' up de vines, A-eatin' all de watermillions, an' a-stackin' up de rinds.
_Uh-huh! Yes, I heared dat:_ Ole Mosser stole a middlin' o' meat, Ole Missus stole a ham; Dey sent 'em bofe to de Wuk-house, An' dey had to leave de land.
FOX AND RABBIT DRINKING PROPOSITIONS
Fox on de low ground, Rabbit on de hill. Says he: "I'll take a drink, An' leave you a gill."
De fox say: "Honey, (You sweet liddle elf!) Jes hand me down de whole cup; I wants it fer myself."
A TURKEY FUNERAL
Dis tucky once on earth did dwell; An' "Gobble! Gobble! Gobble!" But now he gives me bigges' joy, An' rests from all his trouble.
Yes, now he's happy, so am I; No hankerin' fer a feas': Because I'se stuffed wid tucky meat, An' he struts in tucky peace.
OUR OLD MULE
We had an ole mule an' he wouldn' go "gee"; So I knocked 'im down wid a single-tree. To daddy dis wus some mighty bad news, So he made me jump up an' outrun de Jews.
THE COLLEGE OX
Ole Ox! Ole Ox! How'd you come up here? You'se sh[=o]' plowed de cotton fields for many a, many a year. You'se been kicked an' cuffed about wid heaps an' heaps abuse. Now! Now, you comes up here fer some sort o' College use.
CARE IN BREAD-MAKING
W'en you sees dat gal o' mine, Jes tell 'er fer me, if you please, Nex' time she goes to make up bread To roll up 'er dirty sleeves.
WHY LOOK AT ME?
What's you lookin' at me fer? I didn' come here to stay. I wants dis bug put in y[=o]' years, An' den I'se gwine away.
I'se got milk up in my bucket, I'se got butter up in my bowl; But I hain't got no Sweetheart Fer to save my soul.
A SHORT LETTER
She writ me a letter As long as my eye. An' she say in dat letter: "My Honey!--Good-by!"
DOES MONEY TALK?
Dem whitefolks say dat money talk. If it talk lak dey tell, Den ev'ry time it come to Sam, It up an' say: "Farewell!"
I'LL EAT WHEN I'M HUNGRY
I'll eat when I'se hongry, An' I'll drink when I'se dry; An' if de whitefolks don't kill me, I'll live till I die.
In my liddle log cabin, Ever since I'se been born; Dere hain't been no nothin' 'Cept dat hard salt parch corn.
But I knows whar's a henhouse, An' de tucky he charve; An' if ole Mosser don't kill me, I cain't never starve.
HEAR-SAY
Hello! Br'er Jack. How do you do? I'se been a-hearin' a heaps o' things 'bout you. I'll jes declar! It beats de Dickuns! Dey's been tryin' to say you's been a-stealin' chickens!
NEGRO SOLDIER'S CIVIL WAR CHANT
Ole [32]Abe (God bless 'is ole soul!) Got a plenty good victuals, an' a plenty good clo'es. Got powder, an' shot, an' lead, To bust in Adam's liddle Confed' In dese hard times.
Oh, once dere wus union, an' den dere wus peace; De slave, in de cornfield, bare up to his knees. But de Rebel's in gray, an' Sesesh's in de way, An' de slave'll be free In dese hard times.
[32] Abraham Lincoln.
PARODY ON "NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP"
Uh-huh: "Now I lays me down to sleep!"-- While dead oudles o' bedbugs 'round me creep,-- Well: If dey bites me bef[=o]' "I" wake, I hopes "deir" ole jawbones'll break.
I'LL GET YOU, RABBIT!
Rabbit! Rabbit! You'se got a mighty habit, A-runnin' through de grass, Eatin' up my cabbages; But I'll git you shore at las'.
Rabbit! Rabbit! Ole rabbit in de bottoms, A-playin' in de san', By to-morrow mornin', You'll be in my fryin' pan.
THE ELEPHANT
My mammy gimme fifteen cents Fer to see dat elephan' jump de fence. He jump so high, I didn' see why, If she gimme a dollar he mought not cry.
So I axed my mammy to gimme a dollar, Fer to go an' hear de elephan' holler. He holler so loud, he skeered de crowd.
Nex' he jump so high, he tetch de sky; An' he won't git back 'fore de fo'th o' July.
A FEW NEGROES BY STATES
Alabammer Nigger say he love mush. Tennessee Nigger say: "Good Lawd, hush!"
Fifteen cents in de panel of de fence, South Ca'lina Nigger hain't got no sense.
Dat Kentucky Nigger jes think he's fine, 'Cause he drink dat Gooseberry wine.
I'se done heared some twenty year ago Dat de Missippi Nigger hafter sleep on de fl[=o]'.
Lousanner Nigger fall out'n de bed, An' break his head on a pone o' co'n bread.
HOW TO PLEASE A PREACHER
If you wants to see dat Preachah laugh, Jes change up a dollar, an' give 'im a half. If you wants to make dat Preachah sing, Kill dat tucky an' give him a wing. If you wants to see dat Preachah cry, Kill dat chicken an' give him a thigh.
LOOKING FOR A FIGHT
I went down town de yudder night, A-raisin' san' an' a-wantin' a fight. Had a forty dollar razzer, an' a gatlin' gun, Fer to shoot dem Niggers down one by one.
I'LL WEAR ME A COTTON DRESS
Oh, will you wear red? Oh, will you wear red? Oh, will you wear red, Milly Biggers? "I won't wear red, It's too much lak Missus' head. I'll wear me a cotton dress, Dyed wid copperse an' oak-bark."
Oh, will you wear blue? Oh, will you wear blue? Oh, will you wear blue, Milly Biggers? "I won't wear blue, It's too much lak Missus' shoe. I'll wear me a cotton dress, Dyed wid copperse an' oak-bark."
You sholy would wear gray? You sholy would wear gray? You sholy would wear gray, Milly Biggers? "I won't wear gray, It's too much lak Missus' way. I'll wear me a cotton dress, Dyed wid copperse an' oak-bark."
Well, will you wear white? Well, will you wear white? Well, will you wear white, Milly Biggers? "I won't wear white, I'd get dirty long 'fore night. I'll wear me a cotton dress, Dyed wid copperse an' oak-bark."
Now, will you wear black? Now, will you wear black? Now, will you wear black, Milly Biggers? "I mought wear black, Case it's de color o' my back; An' it looks lak my cotton dress, Dyed wid [33]copperse an' oak-bark."
[33] Copperse is copperas, or sulphate of iron.
HALF WAY DOINGS
My dear Brudders an' Sisters, As I comes here to-day, I hain't gwineter take no scripture verse Fer what I'se gwineter say.
My words I'se gwineter cut off short An' I 'spects to use dis tex': "Dis half way doin's hain't no 'count Fer dis worl' nor de nex'."
Dis half way doin's, Brudderin, Won't never do, I say. Go to y[=o]' wuk, an' git it done, An' den's de time to play.
Fer w'en a Nigger gits lazy, An' stops to take short naps, De weeds an' grass is shore to grow An' smudder out his craps.
Dis worl' dat we's a livin' in Is sumpen lak a cotton row: Whar each an' ev'ry one o' us Is got his row to hoe.
An' w'en de cotton's all laid by, De rain, it spile de bowls, If you don't keep busy pickin' In de cotton fiel' of y[=o]' souls.
Keep on a-plowin', an' a-hoein'; Keep on scrapin' off de rows; An' w'en de year is over You can pay off all you owes.
But w'en you sees a lazy Nigger Stop workin', shore's you're born, You'se gwineter see him comin' out At de liddle end of de horn.
TWO TIMES ONE
Two times one is two. Won't you jes keep still till I gits through? Three times three is nine. You 'tend to y[=o]' business, an' I'll 'tend to mine.
HE PAID ME SEVEN (PARODY)
"Our Fadder, Which are in Heaben!"-- White man owe me leben and pay me seben. "D'y Kingdom come! D'y Will be done!"-- An' if I hadn't tuck dat, I wouldn' git none.
PARODY ON "REIGN, MASTER JESUS, REIGN!"
Oh rain! Oh rain! Oh rain, "good" Mosser! Rain, Mosser, rain! Rain hard! Rain flour an' lard an' a big hog head Down in my back yard.
An' w'en you comes down to my cabin, Come down by de corn fiel'. If you cain't bring me a piece o' meat, Den bring me a peck o' meal.
Oh rain! Oh rain! Oh rain, "good" Mosser! Dat good rain gives m[=o]' rest. "What d'you say? You Nigger, dar!"-- "Wet ground grows grass best."
A REQUEST TO SELL
Gwineter ax my daddy to sell ole Rose, So's I can git me some new cl[=o]'s. Gwineter ax my daddy to sell ole Nat, So's I can git a bran' new hat. Gwineter ax my daddy to sell ole Bruise, Den I can git some Brogran shoes. Now, I'se gwineter fix myse'f "jes so," An' take myse'f down to Big Shiloh. I'se gwine right down to Big Shiloh To take dat t'other Nigger's beau.
WE'LL STICK TO THE HOE
We'll stick to de hoe, till de sun go down. We'll rise w'en de rooster crow, An' go to de fiel' whar de sun shine hot, To de fiel' whar de sugar cane grow. Yes, Chilluns, we'll all go! We'll go to de fiel' whar de sun shine hot. To de fiel' whar de sugar cane grow.
Oh, sing 'long boys, fer de wuk hain't hard! Oh scrape an' clean up de row. Fer de grass musn' grow, while de sun shine hot, In de fiel' whar de sugar cane grow. No, Chilluns. No, No! Dat grass musn' grow, while de sun shine hot, In de fiel' whar de sugar cane grow.
Don't think 'bout de time, fer de time hain't long. Y[=o]' life soon come an' go; Den good-bye fiel' whar de sun shine hot, To de fiel' whar de sugar cane grow. Yes, Chilluns. We'll all go! Good-by to de fiel' whar de sun shine hot, To de fiel' whar de sugar cane grow.
A FINE PLASTER
W'en it's sheep skin an' beeswax, It sh[=o]'s a mighty fine plaster: De m[=o]' you tries to pull it off, De m[=o]' it sticks de faster.
A DAY'S HAPPINESS
Fust: I went out to milk an' I didn' know how, I milked dat goat instid o' dat cow; While a Nigger a-settin' wid a gapin' jaw, Kept winkin' his eye at a tucky in de straw.
Den: I went out de gate an' I went down de road, An' I met Miss 'Possum an' I met Mistah Toad; An' ev'y time Miss 'Possum 'ould sing, Mistah Toad 'ould cut dat Pigeon's Wing.
But: I went in a whoop, as I went down de road; I had a bawky team an' a heavy load. I cracked my whip, an' ole Beck sprung, An' she busted out my wagin tongue.
Well: Dat night dere 'us a-gittin' up, shores you're born. De louse go to supper, an' de flea blow de horn. Dat raccoon paced, an' dat 'possum trot; Dat ole goose laid, an' de gander sot.
MASTER KILLED A BIG BULL
Mosser killed a big bull, Missus cooked a dish full, Didn't give poor Nigger a mouf full. Humph! Humph!
Mosser killed a fat lam'. Missus brung a basket, An' give poor Nigger de haslet. Eh-eh! Eh-eh!
Mosser killed a fat hog Missus biled de middlin's, An' give poor Nigger de chitlin's. Sh[=o]! Sh[=o]!
YOU HAD BETTER MIND MASTER
'Way down yon'er in 'Possum Trot, (In ole Miss'sip' whar de sun shines hot) Dere hain't no chickens an' de Niggers eats c'on; You hain't never see'd de lak since youse been bo'n, You'd better m[=i]n' Mosser an' keep a stiff lip, So's you won't git s[=o]l' down to ole Miss'sip'.
LOVE RHYME SECTION
PRETTY LITTLE PINK
My pretty liddle Pink, I once did think, Dat we-uns sh[=o]' would marry; But I'se done give up, Hain't got no hope, I hain't got no time to tarry. I'll drink coffee dat flows, From oaks dat grows, 'Long de river dat flows wid brandy.
A BITTER LOVERS' QUARREL--ONE SIDE
You nasty dog! You dirty hog! You thinks somebody loves you. I tells you dis to let you know I thinks myse'f above you.
ROSES RED
Rose's red, vi'lets blue. Sugar is sweet but not lak you. De vi'lets fade, de roses fall; But you gits sweeter, all in all.
As shore as de grass grows 'round de stump, You is my darlin' Sugar Lump. W'en de sun don't shine de day is cold, But my love fer you do not git old.
De ocean's deep, de sky is blue; Sugar is sweet, an' so is you; De ocean waves an' de sky gits pale, But my love are true, an' it never fail.
YOU HAVE MADE ME WEEP
You'se made me weep, you'se made me mourn, You'se made me tears an' sorrow. So far' you well, my pretty liddle gal, I'se gwine away to-morrow.
MOURNING SLAVE FIANCEES
Look down dat lonesome road! Look down! De way are dark an' c[=o]l'. Dey makes me weep, dey makes me mourn; All 'cause my love are s[=o]l'.
O don't you see dat turkle dove, What mourns from vine to vine? She mourns lak I moans fer my love, Lef' many a mile behin'.
DO I LOVE YOU?
Does I love you wid all my heart?-- I loves you wid my liver; An' if I had you in my mouf, I'd spit you in de river.
LOVERS' GOOD-NIGHT
Cotton fields white in de bright moonlight, Now kiss y[=o]' gal' an' say "Good-night." If she don't kiss you, jes go on 'way; Hain't no need a-stayin' ontel nex' day.
VINIE
I loves coffee, an' I loves tea. I axes you, Vinie, does you love me?
My day's study's Vinie, an' my midnight dreams, My apples, my peaches, my tunnups, an' greens.
Oh, I wants dat good 'possum, an' I wants to be free; But I don't need no sugar, if Vinie love me.
De river is wide, an' I cain't well step it. I loves you, dear Vinie; an' you know I cain't he'p it.
Dat sugar is sweet, an' dat butter is greasy; But I loves you, sweet Vinie; don't be oneasy.
Some loves ten, an' some loves twenty, But I loves you, Vinie, an' dat is a plenty.
Oh silver, it shine, an' lakwise do tin. De way I loves Vinie, it mus' be a sin.
Well, de cedar is green, an' so is de pine. God bless you, Vinie! I wish you 'us mine.
LOVE SONG RHYME SECTION
SHE HUGGED ME AND KISSED ME
I see'd her in de Springtime, I see'd her in de Fall, I see'd her in de Cotton patch, A cameing from de Ball.
She hug me, an' she kiss me, She wrung my han' an' cried. She said I wus de sweetes' thing Dat ever lived or died.
She hug me an' she kiss me. Oh Heaben! De touch o' her han'! She said I wus de puttiest thing In de shape o' mortal man.
I told her dat I love her, Dat my love wus bed-cord strong; Den I axed her w'en she'd have me, An' she jes say "Go long!"
IT IS HARD TO LOVE
It's hard to love, yes, indeed 'tis. It's hard to be broke up in min'. You'se all lugged up in some gal's heart, But you hain't gwineter lug up in mine.
ME AND MY LOVER
Me an' my Lover, we fall out. How d'you reckon de fuss begun? She laked licker, an' I laked fun, An' dat wus de way de fuss begun.
Me an' my Lover, we fall out. W'at d'you reckon de fuss wus 'bout? She loved bitters, an' I loved kraut, An' dat wus w'at de fuss wus 'bout.
Me an' my Lover git clean 'part. How d'you reckon dat big fuss start? She's got a gizzard, an' I'se got a heart, An' dat's de way dat big fuss start.
I WISH I WAS AN APPLE
Oh: I wish I wus an apple, An' my Sallie wus anudder. What a pretty match we'd be, Hangin' on a tree togedder!
But: If I wus an apple, An' my Sallie wus anudder; We'd grow up high, close to de sky, Whar de Niggers couldn' git 'er.
We'd grow up close to de sun An' smile up dar above; Den we'd fall down 'way in de groun' To sleep an' dream 'bout love.
And: W'en we git through a dreamin', We'd bofe in Heaben wake. No Nigger shouldn' git my gal W'en 'is time come to bake.
REJECTED BY ELIZA JANE
W'en I went 'cross de cotton patch I give my ho'n a blow. I thought I heared pretty Lizie say: "Oh, yon'er come my beau!"
So: I axed pretty Lizie to marry me, An' what d'you reckon she said? She said she wouldn' marry me, If ev'ybody else wus dead.
An': As I went up de new cut road, An' she go down de lane; Den I thought I heared somebody say: "Good-bye, ole Lize Jane!"
Well: Jes git 'long, Lizie, my true love. Git 'long, Miss Lizie Jane. Perhaps you'll [34]sack "Ole Sour Bill" An' git choked on "Sugar Cain."
[34] Sack = To reject as a lover.
COURTSHIP RHYME SECTION
ANTEBELLUM COURTSHIP INQUIRY
(He) Is you a flyin' lark or a settin' dove? (She) I'se a flyin' lark, my honey Love. (He) Is you a bird o' one fedder, or a bird o' two? (She) I'se a bird o' one fedder, w'en it comes to you. (He) Den, Mam: I has desire, an' quick temptation, To jine my fence to y[=o]' plantation.
INVITED TO TAKE THE ESCORT'S ARM
Miss, does you lak strawberries? ____*____*____*____*____*____ Den hang on de vine. ____*____*____*____*____*____ Miss, does you lak chicken? ____*____*____*____*____*____ Den have a wing dis time.
SPARKING OR COURTING
I'se heaps older dan three. I'se heaps thicker dan barks; An' de older I gits, De m[=o]' harder I sparks.
I sparks fast an' hard, For I'se feared I mought fail. Dough I'se gittin' ole, I don't co't lak no snail.
A CLANDESTINE LETTER
Kind Miss: If I sent you a letter, By de crickets, Through de thickets, How'd you answer better?
Kind Suh: I'd sen' you a letter, By de mole, Not to be t[=o]l'; Fer dat's m[=o]' secretter.
ANTEBELLUM MARRIAGE PROPOSAL
(_A proposal of marriage with the answer deferred_)
(He) De ocean, it's wide; de sea, it's deep. Yes, in y[=o]' arms I begs to sleep, Not fer one time, not fer three; But long as we-uns can agree.
(She) Please gimme time, Suh, to "reponder;" Please gimme time to "gargalize;" Den 'haps I'll tu'n to "cattlegog," An' answer up 'greeable fer a s'prise.
IF YOU FROWN
If you frowns, an' I frowns, W'en we goes out togedder; Den all de t'other folks aroun' Will say: "De rain is fallin' down Right in de sunshine wedder!"
"LET'S MARRY" COURTSHIP
(_A proposal of marriage, with a provisional acceptance_)
(He) Oh Miss Lizie, how I loves you! My life's jes los' if you hain't true. If you loves me lak I loves you, No knife cain't cut our love in two.
(She) Grapevine warp, an' cornstalk fillin'; I'll marry you if mammy an' daddy's willin'.
(He) Rabbit hop an' long dog trot! Let's git married if dey say "not."
COURTSHIP
(_A proposal of marriage with its acceptance_)
Kind Miss: I'se on de stage o' action, Pleadin' hard fer satisfaction, Pleadin' 'fore de time-thief late; Darfore, Ma'm, now, [35]"cravenate."
If I brung to you a gyarment; To be cut widout scissors, An' to be sewed widout thread; How (I ax you) would you make it, Widout de needle sewin' An' widout de cloth spread?
Kind Suh: I'd make dat gyarment Wid love from my heart, Wid tears on y[=o]' head; We never would part.
[35] Cravenate = consider.
I WALKED THE ROADS
Well: I walked de roads, till de roads git muddy. I talked to dat pretty gal, till I couldn' stan' study.
Den: I say: "Love me liddle," I say; "Love me long." I say: "Let dat liddle be 'doggone' strong! For, shore as dat rat runs 'cross de rafter, So shore you'se de gal, you'se de gal I'se after."
PRESENTING A HAT TO PHOEBE
Sister Phoebe: Happy wus we, W'en we sot under dat Juniper tree. Take dis hat, it'll keep y[=o]' head warm. Take dis kiss, it'll do you no harm.
Sister Phoebe: De hours, dey're few; But dis hat'll say I'se thinkin' 'bout you. Sugar, it's sugar; an' salt, it's salt; If you don't love me, it's sh[=o]' y[=o]' own fault.
WOOING
W'at is dat a wukin At y[=o]' han' bill on de wall, So's y[=o]' sperit, it cain't res', An' a gemmun's heat, it call?
Is you lookin' fer sweeter berries Growin' on a higher bush? An' does my combersation suit? If not, w'at does you wush?
COURTSHIP SONG RHYME SECTION
THE COURTING BOY
W'en I wus a liddle boy, Jes fifteen inches high; De way I court de pretty gals, It make de ole folks cry.
De geese swim in de middle pon'. De ducks fly 'cross de clover. Run an' tell dem pretty gals, Dat I'se a-comin' over.
Ho! Marindie! Ho! Ho! Missindie! Ho! Ho! Malindie! Ho! my gal! I'se gwine now to see ole Sal.
PRETTY POLLY ANN
I'se gwineter marry, if I can. I'se gwineter marry pretty Polly Ann.
I axed Polly Ann, fer to marry me. She say she's a-lookin' fer a Nigger dat's free.
Pretty Polly Ann's jes dressed so fine! I'll bet five dollars she hain't got a dime.
Pretty Polly Ann's jes a-puttin' on airs, She won't notice me, but nobody cares.
I'll drop Polly Ann, a-lookin' lak a crane; I 'spec's I'll marry Miss Lize Jane.
MARRIAGE RHYME SECTION
SLAVE MARRIAGE CEREMONY SUPPLEMENT
Dark an' stormy may come de wedder; I jines dis he-male an' dis she-male togedder. Let none, but Him dat makes de thunder, Put dis he-male an' dis she-male asunder. I darfore 'nounce you bofe de same. Be good, go 'long, an' keep up y[=o]' name. De broomstick's jumped, de worl's not wide. She's now y[=o]' own. Salute y[=o]' bride!
MARRIED LIFE RHYME SECTION
THE NEWLY WEDS
First Mont': "Set down in my cabin, Honey!" Nex' Mont': "Stan' up, my Pie." Third Mont': "You go to wuk, you Wench! You well to wuk as I!"
WHEN I GO TO MARRY
W'en I goes to marry, I wants a gal wid money. I wants a pretty black-eyed gal To kiss an' call me "Honey."
Well, w'en I goes to marry, I don't wanter git no riches. I wants a man 'bout four foot high, So's I can w'ar de britches.
BOUGHT ME A WIFE
Bought me a wife an' de wife please me, I feeds my wife un'er yon'er tree. My wife go: "Row-row!" My guinea go: "Potrack! Potrack!" My chicken go: "Gymsack! Gymsack!" My duck go: "Quack-quack! Quack-quack!" My dog go: "Bow-bow!" My hoss go: "Whee-whee! Whee-whee!" My cat go: "Fiddle-toe! Fiddle-toe!"
WHEN I WAS A "ROUSTABOUT"
W'en I wus a "Roustabout," wild an' young, I co'ted my gal wid a mighty slick tongue. I t[=o]l' her some oncommon lies dere an' den. I t[=o]l' her dat we'd marry, but I didn' say w'en.
So on a Mond'y mornin' I tuck her fer my wife. Of co'se I wus 'spectin' an agreeable life. But on a Chuesd'y mornin' she chuned up her pipe, An' she 'bused me more 'an I'd been 'bused all my life.
On a Wednesd'y evenin', as I come 'long home, I says to myse'f dat she wus all my own; An' on a Thursd'y night I went out to de woods, An' I cut me two big fine tough leatherwoods.
So on a Frid'y mornin' w'en she roll me 'er eyes, I retched fer my leatherwoods to give 'er a s'prise, Dem long keen leatherwoods wuked mighty well, An' 'er tongue, it jes rattle lak a clapper in a bell.
On a Sadd'y mornin' she sleep sorter late; An' de las' time I see'd her, she 'us gwine out de gate. I wus feedin' at de stable, lookin' out through a crack, An' she lef' my log cabin 'fore I could git back.
On a Sund'y mornin', as I laid on my bed, I didn' have no Nigger wife to bother my head. Now whisky an' brandy jug's my biges' bes' friend, An' my long week's wuk is about at its end.
MY FIRST AND MY SECOND WIFE
My fust liddle wife wus short an' fat. Her face wus as black as my ole hat, Her nose all flat, an' her eyes sunk in, An' dat lip hang down below her chin. Now wusn't I sorrowful in mind?
W'en I went down to dat wife's brother; He said: "She 'us tired. Gwineter marry 'nother." If I ever ketches dat city Coon, He railly mought see my razzer soon. Den I 'spec's he'd be troubled in mind!
My nex' wife hug an' kiss me, She call me "Sugar Plum!" She throw her arms 'round me, Lak a grapevine 'round de gum! Wusn't dat glory to my soul!
Her cheeks, dey're lak de cherry; Dat Cherry, it's lak de rose. Wid a liddle dimple in her chin, An' a liddle tu'ned up nose! Oh, hain't I happy in mind!
I'se got you, Lou, now fer my wife. Keep new Coons 'way, "My Pie!" Caze, if you don't, I tells you now, Dat we all three mought die. Den we'd be troubled in min'!
GOOD-BY, WIFE!
I had a liddle wife, An' I didn' want to kill 'er; So I tuck 'er by de heels, An' I throwed 'er in de river. "Good-by, Wife! Good-by, Honey! Hadn' been fer you, I'd a had a liddle money."
My liddle fussy wife Up an' say she mus' have scissors; An' druther dan to fight, I'd a throwed 'er in three rivers. But she crossed dem fingers, w'en she go down, An' a liddle bit later She walk out on de groun'.
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."
BLESSINGS
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 PRESENT
Oh Lawd now bless an' b[=i]n' us, An' put ole Satan 'h[=i]n' us. Oh let y[=o]' Sperit m[=i]n' us. Don't let none hongry f[=i]n' us.
BLESSING WITHOUT COMPANY
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 m[=o]s' all our victuals from us.
ANIMAL PERSECUTORS
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 CAME
Once f[=o]' 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 Hill Whar de Niggers hain't wuked an' never will."
Den anudder up an' say: "I'se jes come here from Guinea Gall Whar dey eats de cow up, skin an' all."
Den de nex' Nigger say Whar he done come from: "Dey wuked you night an' day as dey could; Dey never had stopped an' dey never would."
De las' Nigger say Whar 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 Rabbit W'en he look fer a dog. An' keep it in mind, Whilst dey boasts 'bout deir gals An' dem t'other things: "Dat none deir gals wus lak Sallie Jane, Fer dat gal wus sweeter dan sugar cane."
WISE SAYING SECTION
LEARN TO COUNT
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 ON
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 SEEDS
Plant: One fer de blackbird Two fer de crow, Three fer de jaybird An' f[=o]' 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 WORDS
A man o' words an' not o' deeds, Is lak a gyarden full o' weeds. De weeds 'gin to grow Lak a gyarden full o' snow. De snow 'gin to fly Lak a eagle in de sky. De sky 'gin to roar Lak a hammer on y[=o]' door. De door 'gin to crack Lak a hick'ry on y[=o]' back. Y[=o]' back 'gin to smart Lak a knife in y[=o]' heart. Y[=o]' heart 'gin to fail Lak a boat widout a sail. De boat 'gin to sink Lak a bottle full o' ink. Dat ink, it won't write Neider black nor white. Dat man o' words an' not o' deeds, Is lak a gyarden full o' weeds.
INDEPENDENT
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 RHYME
Whisky nor brandy hain't no friend to my kind. Dey killed my p[=o]' 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 p[=o]' daddy, an' dey troubled my mind.
THAT HYPOCRITE
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 SOUP
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 'f[=o]r' 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-ALL
Ole man Know-All, he come 'round Wid 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 m[=o]'. 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 KNOWLEDGE
I nebber starts to break my colt, Till he's ole enough to trabble. I nebber digs my taters up Wen dey's only right to grabble. So w'en you sees me risin' up To structify in meetin', You can know I'se climbed de Knowledge Tree An' done some apple eatin'.
THE TONGUE
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 BOAST
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-CONTROL
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.
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', Y[=o]' baits comes off; An' de fish jes swim away.
[50] The last three lines of the rhyme was a superstition current among antebellum Negroes.
STILL WATER RUNS DEEP
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 KNOW
Keep dis in min', an' all 'll go right; As on y[=o]' way you goes; Be shore you knows 'bout all you tells, But don't tell all you knows.
JACK AND DINAH WANT FREEDOM[51]
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 c[=o]l'.
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 y[=o]' 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.
FOREIGN SECTION
AFRICAN RHYMES
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.
NEAR-WALDO-TEE-DO O MAH NAH MEJAI
OR
NEAR-WALDO-TEE-DO IS MY SWEETHEART
1. A yehn me doddoc Near Waldo Tee-do. Yehn me doddoc o-o seoh-o-o. Omah nahn mejai Near Waldo Tee-do. Omah nahn mejai Near Waldo Tee-do.
_Translation_
Near Waldo Tee-do gave me a suit. He gave me a suit. Near Waldo Tee-do is my sweetheart. Near Waldo Tee-do is my sweetheart.
TUBA BLAY
OR
AN EVENING SONG
1. Seah O, Tuba blay. Tuba blay, Tuba blay.
2. O blay wulna nahn blay. Tuba blay, Tuba blay.
_Translation_
1. Oh please Tuba sing. Tuba sing, Tuba sing.
2. Oh sing that song. Tuba sing, Tuba sing.
THE OWL
We are indebted for this Baluba rhyme to Dr. and Mrs. William H. Sheppard, pioneer missionaries under the Southern Presbyterian Church. The little production comes from Congo, Africa.
Sala wa m[)e]n t[)e]nge, Cimpungelu. Sala wa m[)e]n t[)e]nge, Cimpungelu. Meme taya wewe, Cimpungelu. Sala wa m[)e]n t[)e]nge, Cimpungelu.
_Translation_
The dancing owl waves his spread tail feathers. I'm the owl. The dancing owl waves his spread tail feathers. I'm the owl. I now tell you by my dancing, I'm the owl. The dancing owl waves his spread tail feathers. I'm the owl.
SAI BODDEOH SUMPUN KOMO
OR
I AM NOT GOING TO MARRY SUMPUN
1. Sai Sumpun komo. De Sumpun nenah? Sumpun se jello jeppo Boddeoh Sumpun.
2. Sai Sumpun komo. De Sumpun nenah? Sumpun auch nahn jehn deddoc. Boddeoh Sumpun.
_Translation_
1. I am not going to marry Sumpun. What has Sumpun done? Sumpun doesn't live a seafaring life Boddeoh Sumpun.
2. I am not going to marry Sumpun. What has Sumpun done? Sumpun does not support me. Boddeoh Sumpun.
BYANSWAHN-BYANSWAHN
OR
A BOAT SONG
[=O]-[=O] Byanswahn blay Tanner tee-o-o. O Byanswahn jekah jubha. De jo Byanswahn se kah jujah dai. [=O] Byanswahn blay dai Tanner tee-o-o.
_Translation_
Oh boat, come back to me. Since you carried my child away, I have not seen that child. Oh boat come back to me.
THE TURKEY BUZZARD
Dr. C. C. Fuller: a missionary at Chikore Melsetter, Rhodesia, Africa, was good enough to secure for the compiler this rhyme, written in Chindau, from the Rev. John E. Hatch, also a missionary in South Africa.
Riti, riti, mwana wa rashika. Ndizo, ndizo kurgya ku wande. Riti, riti, mwana wa oneka. Ndizo, ndizo ti wande issu.
_Translation_
Turkey buzzard, turkey buzzard, your child is lost. That is all right, the food will be more plentiful. Turkey buzzard, turkey buzzard, your child is found. That is all right, we will increase in number.
THE FROGS
The following child's play rhyme in Baluba with its translation was contributed by Mrs. L. G. Sheppard, who was for many years a missionary in Congo, Africa.
Cula, Cula, Kuya kudi Kunyi? Tuyiya ku cisila wa Baluba. Tun kuata tua kuesa cinyi? Tua kudimuka kua musode.
_Translation_
Frogs, frogs, where are you going? We are going to the market of the Baluba. If they catch you, what will they do? They will turn us all into lizards.
JAMAICA RHYME
BUSCHER GARDEN
This Negro rhyme from rural Jamaica was contributed by Dr. Cecil B. Roddock, a native of that country. The word _Buscher_ means an overseer or master of a plantation.
All a night, me da watch a brother Wayrum; Wayrum ina me Buscher garden. Oh, Brother Wayrum! Wha' a you da do, To make a me Buscher a catch a you? Oh a me Buscher, in a me Buscher garden; Me a beg a me Buscher a pardon!
VENEZUELAN NEGRO RHYMES
These Venezuelan rhymes: "A 'Would be' Immigrant" and "Game Contestant's Song," came to us through the kindness of Mr. J. C. Williams, Caracas, Venezuela, S. A. He is a native of Venezuela.
GAME CONTESTANT'S SONG
We're going to dig! We're going to dig a sepulcher to bury those regiments. White Rose Union! Get yourself in readiness to bury those regiments. Oh Grentville! [54]Cici! Cici! Beat them forever.
Sa your de vrai! We'll send them a challenge, To mardi carnival. Sa your de vrai!!
[54] Cici = a kind of game.
A "WOULD BE" IMMIGRANT
Conjo Celestine! Oh He was going to Panama. Reavay Trinidad! Celestine Revay, la Grenada! What d'you think bring Celestine back? What d'you think bring Celestine back? What d'you think bring Celestine to me? Twenty cents for a cup of tea.
TRINIDAD NEGRO RHYMES
We are very grateful to Mr. L. A. Brown for his kindness in giving to us the two Venezuelan rhymes which follow. His home is in Princess Town, Trinidad, B. W. I.
UN BELLE MARIE COOLIE
OR
BEAUTIFUL MARIE, THE EAST INDIAN
Un belle Marie Coolie! Un belle Marie Coolie! Un belle Marie Coolie! Vous belle dame, vous belle pour moi. Papa est un African. Mamma est un belle Coolie. Un belle Marie Coolie! Vous belle dame, vous belle pour moi.
_Translation_
Beautiful Marie, the East Indian! Beautiful Marie, the East Indian! Beautiful Marie, the East Indian! You beautiful woman, you're good enough for me. Papa is an African. Mamma is a beautiful East Indian. Beautiful Marie, the East Indian! You beautiful woman, you're good enough for me.
A TOM CAT
My father had a big Tom cat, That tried to play a fiddle. He struck it here, and he struck it there, And he struck it in the middle.
PHILIPPINE ISLAND RHYME
The following rhyme came to me through the kindness of Mr. C. W. Ransom, Grand Chain, Ill., U.S.A. Mr. Ransom served three years with the United States Army in the Philippine Islands.
See that Monkey up the cocoanut tree, A-jumpin' an' a-throwin' nuts at me? El hombre no savoy, No like such play. All same to Americano, No hay dique.