[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
Ragtime music from the progressive era
a 1903 popular song
words by Louise Armstrong Bristol
music by Scott Joplin
The sheet music:
Accompaniment:
Lyrics
- Little black baby on de sheepskin
Little black mammy by its side
What says dis little black baby
To little black mammy by its side?
“Goo-goo-goo-e, goo-garee goo
Tra-ta-la-ra-ba-ma-oo
Tra-ta-la-raess scaree-ee
Gree goo ta-ma-la-ra-mee”
Chorus
Little black mammy on de milk stool
Little black baby by her side
What says dis little black mammy
To little black baby by her side?
“Bye, O bye, O baby buntin’
Bye, O bye, O baby mine
How de little eyes do twinkle
How de twinkle eyes do shine
2. All de gold in all de maountain
All de diamon’s in de worl’
Couldn’t buy from dis ole mammy
Her own dear little black baby girl
Bye, O bye, O baby buntin’
Bye, O bye, O baby mine
How de little eyes do twinkle
How de twinkle eyes do shine
Chorus
Little black baby on de sheepskin
Little black mammy by its side
What says dis little black baby
To little black mammy by its side?
“Goo-goo-goo-ee goo garee goo
Tra-ta-la-ra-ba-ma-oo
Tra-ta-la-roess scarree-ee
Gree-oo-ta-ma-la-ra-mee”
Sung here by Fred Feild: