[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
(A Darkey Lullaby)
A popular song from 1919.
Words and music by James W. Casey.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- Down Kentucky way
A little picaninny’s cryin’
Somethings happened in his play
Dat’s put de whole world wrong
By de cabin door
He hears his lubin’ mammy sighing
As she takes him from de floor
And croons dis little song
Refrain
“Rest yoh head on mammy’s arm
Yo’ broken hearted coon
She will keep yo’ from all harm
Dem worries come too soon
‘Course I know you’ve lots of troubles
But dey’ll fade away like bubbles
Fade in yoh dreams chile ‘fore day
Mind what I say
Weep no mo’ my baby and rest
Soon I’ll put yo’ in yoh little snowy cotton nest”
While his mammy’s softly hummin’
Banjos ‘cross de fields am strumin
Down Kentucky way
- “Eber since de day
Yoh mammy found yo’, little honey
Out dar in de sugar cane
You’ve been her “precious lamb”
Don’t care what day say
I’d rather hab’ yo’ chile den money
Yoh de sunshine after rain
De only coon what am”