[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial language. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
a popular song from 1896
words by Geo. Cooper
music by Samuel H. Speck
The sheet music:
Accompaniment:
Lyrics
1. I’se just a gay and lively little coon
A-dancin’ and a-singin’ all de while
I tink dat I could fly up to de moon
I feel so good it makes me grin and smile
Ole Aunt she bring me up since I’se knee high
Ob course I lub her now like anyting
For when de sun was sinkin’ in de sky
She’d take me on her lap and always sing:
Refrain
“Go to sleep, yer cunning little black face baby
Yer Aunt Jemima’s watchin’ o’er yer
She won’t let no white man {cotch/”swat”} yer
Go to sleep, yer cunning little black face baby
Dream about der possom and hoecake
Yer Aunt Jemima’s gwine to make yer pancakes when yer wake”
2. I used to do de chores around de place
And watch de watermelons in de sun
De picanninnies way from dem I’d chase
And dat to dis yere coon was heaps of fun
Ole Aunt she’s been me mudder, fadder too
Her kindness often tears to my eyes brings
For eb’ry night when all de work was thro’
She’d call me, and she’d hug me and she’d sing:
3. “My chile,” she used to tell me sure enough
“I’se been a mudder to yer, don’t fergit”
And tho’ I’se seen when times was mighty rough
I don’t fergit my dear old Auntie yit
I likes to hear de banjo and de bones
I likes to hear de marking birds in Spring
But dey ain’t in it wid de silv’ry tones
I heard when my ole Aunty used to sing
Sung here by Fred Feild: