[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular song from 1905.
Words by Chas. H. Brown and Otis F. Wood.
Music by Rollin Bond.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
I’s got a wond’rous jewel
Dat I’s huggin’ to ma bres’, hum, hum
An’ I suspeck it’s cruel
Too de way he am cares’, hum
He’s jes’ as black as coal is
From his top knot to his toes, hum
But pure and white his soul is
As de sof’ly fallin’ snows
Bress ma Pickaninny Mose
Chorus
He’s a mine, all a mine
Is ma Pickaninny Mose
An’ when he’s dres’ up in his bes’
He’s as sweet as any rose
He’s a mine, all a mine
An’ a really I do suppose
No Pickaninny in de Lan’
Is as sweet as little Mose
2. He ain’t no legislator
Settin’ in de halls of state, hum, hum
He ain’t no specalater
Nor a magnate rich an’ great, hum
He’s jes’ a little niggah
Dres’ in home made cotton clos’, hum
A cunnin little figgah
As mos’ ev’rybody knows
Bress ma Pickaninny Mose
Sung here by Fred Feild: