[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular song from 1919.
words by Sam Ehrlich
music by Irving Bibo
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. A little pickaninny on the Mississippi shore
Was weeping in the sunlight by a rustic cabin door
When Mammy Jinny saw him with a teardrop in his eye
She cheered her honey, baby with this Dixie lullaby
Chorus
Kinky Koo, my Kinky Kinky Koo
Now don’t you cry my little blossom
Mammy’s got a possum waiting here for you
And listen, there’s a sugar cake, I’ll make
If you stop crying, so run along my dear
You needn’t fear while mammy is near
Kinky Koo, if white folks teases you
Just smile and they will be sorry for little Kinky Koo
2. The moon was brightly shining through a window near the bed
While mammy showered kisses on a tiny wooly head
Her sleepy pickaninny said his little ev’ning pray’r
And fell asleep when mammy sang this old familiar air
Sung here by Fred Feild: