[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A minstrel song from 1840
Words and music by J. W. Sweeny
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by Benjamin R. Tubb:
Lyrics
1. De hen and chickens went to roost
De hawk flew down and bit de goose
He bit de ole hen in de back
I really believe dat am a fac
Chorus
Oh, Jenny get de hoecake done, my dear
Oh, Jenny get de hoecake done
2. As I was gwain long de road
Pon a stump dar sat a toad
De tadpole winked at Pollewog’s dauter
An kick’d de bull frog plump in de water
3. High heel boot widout any strap
Hand me down my leghorn hat
Ise gwain to de Astor house to dine
I won’t be back till past half nine
4. Massa and Missus gwain away
Left home fore de break ob day
Den you har de white folks say
Stan clar and let de banjo play
5. Apple cider, an percimmon beer
Christmas comes but once a year
Ginger puddin and punkin pie
Gray cat kick out black cat’s eye
6. Massa an Misse promise me
When dey died to set me free
Now dey boss am dead and gone
Left ole Sambo hoeing out corn
7. Old Massa, and Misse, is gone away
Da left home one morning gest about day
And den you har dat nigger say
Gi me down de banjo and let de nigger play
8. You eat my sugar, and drink my tea
And run about de old field and talk about me
Dare was a nigger in de gutter
And he turned right about
And up stept Jo and got his tooth nocked out
9. Dare was a frog jumped out de spring
It was so cold he couldn’t sing
Me tied his tail to a hickory stump
He rared and pitched
But he couldn’t make a jump
10. The old hen and chickens at the stack
An old hawk flewdown amongst de pack
And struck de old hen
Whack middle ob de back
And I really do believe dat tis a fact
11. Now white folks, I’d hab you to know
Dare is no music like de old banjo
And if you want to hear it ring
Jist watch dis finger on de string
Sung here by Fred Feild: