De Bogie Man

[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]

A popular song from 1917.
Words by Phil H. Armstrong.
Music by Karolyn Wells Bassett.


The sheet music:


Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:


 Lyrics

  1. When de nighttime come
    De li’l boy holler
    Kase he ‘fraid o’ de dark
    An’ he scrooch up nigh
    To his good ole mammy
    An’ he wouldn’t take a dollar
    Fo’ his place, fo’ his place
    When de Sandman’s a-stoopin’ frum de sky

Refrain
Oh de wind say “Woo”
An de owl say “To-who”
An he scrooches up to mammy
An’ he scrooches up to mammy
When de blaze, when de blaze burns blue

Oh, de stumps look tall
An’ de wind soun’s skeery
An’ de li’l boy sniggle down in my lap
Kase de bogie man’s a-nigh
An’ his eyes am bleary
An’ he’s strong as a lion
An’ bigger ‘n yo’ pap