Martin Luther King.caFolk Rhymes
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- '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... - 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... - 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. - 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,
... - 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.
... - 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';
... - 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... - 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... - 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 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,
...
- 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.
... - 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. - A Race-starter's Rhyme
One fer de money!
Two fer de show!
Three to git ready,
An' four fer to go! - 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.
... - A Short Letter
She writ me a letter
As long as my eye.
An' she say in dat letter:
"My Honey!--Good-by!" - 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'... - 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?" - 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? - 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'. - 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. - 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... - 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... - 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... - African Rhymes
- 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... - 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... - 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... - 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... - 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... - 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... - 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? - 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! - Aspiration
If I wus de President
Of dese United States,
I'd eat good 'lasses candy,
An' swing on all de gates. - 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... - 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... - 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... - 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... - 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!
... - 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'. - 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... - 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.
... - 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,
... - 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... - 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. - 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... - 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? - 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!
... - 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!"
... - 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... - 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. - 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]... - 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... - 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. - 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
... - 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,"... - 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.
... - 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. - 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... - 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... - 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. - 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... - 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!"
... - 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;
... - 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. - 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'.
... - 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... - 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... - 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. - 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... - 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."
...
- 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. - 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! - 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...
- 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! - 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... - 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'... - 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...
- 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?"... - 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...
- 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... - 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. - 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!" - 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.
... - 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. - 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.
- 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. - 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!
... - 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... - 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]'... - 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... - 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,... - 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,
... - 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.
... - 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... - 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!"
... - 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.
... - 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." - 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... - 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... - 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]',
... - 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! - 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!
... - 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... - Go To Bed
De wood's in de kitchen.
De hoss's in de shed.
You liddle Niggers
Had better go to bed. - 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. - 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." - 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
... - 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
... - 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...
- 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... - 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,
... - 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... - 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... - 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... - 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... - 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;
... - 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... - 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,
...
- 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... - 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."
... - 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."--
... - 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 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.
- 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... - 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! - 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.
... - 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...
- 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... - 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'. - 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... - 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. - 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. - 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... - 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... - 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 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.
... - 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,... - 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 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...
- 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... - 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... - 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... - 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... - 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',
... - 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?... - 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.
... - 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... - 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. - 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...
- 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. - 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'. - 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.
... - 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. - 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. - 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.
... - 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,
... - 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,... - 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...
- 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;
... - 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.
... - 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...
- Johnny Bigfoot
Johnny, Johnny Bigfoot!
Want a pair o' shoes?
Go kick two cows out'n deir skins.
Run Brudder, tell de news! - 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'!...
- 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... - 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]... - 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]'... - 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,"
... - 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... - 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...
- 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. - 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
... - 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.
... - 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,... - 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...
- 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... - 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... - 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. - 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'... - 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. - 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.
...
- 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... - 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... - 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!
... - 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,... - 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. - 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... - 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,... - 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... - Monkey Up The Cocoanut Tree
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. - 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... - 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... - 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. - 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...
- 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. - 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... - 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... - 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.
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