[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A Southern lullaby from 1899.
Words and Music by Lee Johnson
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by Benjamin R. Tubb:
Lyrics
1. It was down in South Car’lina
Where the Southern moon was shining,
And the mocking birds sing sweetly in the trees;
In an ivy-cover’d cottage
Whar de honeysuckle’s creeping,
Lives Aunt Jennie and her Carolina Twins.
It was four o’clock dat morning,
When de roosters, they were crowing,
And de silv’ry moon had gone to rest;
It was dar dem twins were born,
Just befo’ de break of dawn,
In dere mama’s Southern nest.
Chorus
Go to sleep ma Carolina Twins,
While mammy Jennie sings this lullaby;
Now close your eyes and cover up your hands,
The bogie man will catch you if you cry.
Next Sunday morn the bells will sweetly chime,
The coon and wenches, they will fall in line,
They’ll dance and sing,
The bells will ring,
For mammy’s Carolina Twins
PICANNINY DANCE. Hum with closed lips.
Um-um, um-um.
Um-um, um-um.
Um-um, um-um.
Um-um, um-um.
Mammy’s Carolina Twins.
2. Don’t you cry ma pickaninnies,
Go to sleep and I will watch you,
Ain’t you ‘fraid that I will call de bogie man?
Or you’ll find that he will catch you,
Den your mammy’ll loose her Carolina Twins.
Hush yo’, hush my little honeys,
I will wake you in de morning,
When de mocking birds their sweet songs sing.
Now you mind what I have said,
And you cover up you heads,
Now goodnight my baby twins.