[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A 1897 popular song.
Words and music by G. H. Clutsam.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
Oh, ma babby
Ma curly-headed babby
We’ll sit below de sky
An’ sing a song to de moon
Oh, ma babby
Ma little nigger babby
Yo’ daddy’s in de cotton field
A workin’ for de coon
So lulla, lulla, lulla, lulla, by-by
Does yer want de moon ter play wid?
Or de stars ter run away wid?
Dey’ll come if you don’t cry
So lulla, lulla, lulla, lulla, by-by
In de mammy’s arms be creepin’
An’ soon yer’ll be a-sleepin’
Lulla, lulla, lulla, lulla, lullaby
Oh, ma babby
Ma curly-headed babby
I’ll dance yer fast to sleep
An’ lub yer so, as I sing
Oh, ma babby
Ma little nigger babby
Jus’ tuck yer head, like little bird
Below it’s mammy’s wing
So lulla, lulla, lulla, lulla, by-by
Does yer want de moon ter play wid?
Or de stars ter run away wid?
Dey’ll come if you don’t cry
So lulla, lulla, lulla, lulla, by-by
In de mammy’s arms be creepin’
An’ soon yer’ll be a-sleepin’
Lulla, lulla, lulla, lulla, lullaby
Sung here by Fred Feild: