[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
a 1919 jazz song
words and music by Spencer Williams and Clarence Williams
The term jelly roll came to have sexual connotations. Did Ferdinand “Jelly Roll” Morton take his nickname from this song?
The sheet music:
Accompaniment:
Lyrics
1. Lil’ Willie Green from New Orleans
A greedy boy was he
For he always wanted a lot a kids
Just to keep his company
One day his ma bought him a jelly roll
The best cake that was made
And when the kids began to hang around
Little Willie said
Chorus
I ain’t gonna give nobody none o’ this jelly roll
I wouldn’t give you a piece of this cake to save your soul
Oh, my ma told me today, when she went away
To be a good boy, she’d bring me a toy
I am her pride and joy
There ain’t no use of you to keep on hanging roun’
I love you but I hate to turn you down
[ 1. This jelly roll is sweet, it’s sure is hard to beat]
[ 2. The kids they won’t behave, my jelly roll they crave]
[ 3. Sweet cookie cake is fine, it don’t compare to mine]
I know you want it, you can’t have it
I ain’t gonna give you none
2. Lil’ Willie Green was really mean
And very stingy, too
He always wanted some of what you had
But he gave nothing to you
And when his ma would give him jelly roll
To hide it he would try
And when the kids would ask him for a bite
You’d hear Willie cry
———————————————-
Sung here by Fred Feild: