[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
- 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