[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial language. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular song published in 1939.
Attributed to James Whitcomb Riley.
Arranged by Fred K. Huffer.
Sheet music provided by Loona The Goth Hellhound:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- Put on de skillet, put on de led
Mammy’s gwine to make a li’l short’nin’ bread
Dat ain’t all dat she’s gwine to do
She’s gwine to make a li’l coffee, too
Chorus
Mammy’s li’l baby loves short’nin’, short’nin’
Mammy’s li’l baby loves short’nin’ bread
Mammy’s li’l baby loves short’nin’, short’nin’
Mammy’s li’l baby loves short’nin’ bread
- Three li’l babies lyin’ in bed
Two was sick an’ t’ther most dead
Sent fo’ de doctor an’ de doctor said
“Give dem babies some short’nin’ bread” - I slipped in de kitchen an’ slipped up de led
An’ I slipped my pickets full ob short’nin’ bread
I stole de skillet I stole de led
An’ I stole de gal to make short’nin’ bread - Dey caught me wid de skillet
Dey caught me wid de led
An’ dey caught me wid de gal cooken short’nin bread
Paid six dollars for de skillet
Six dollars for de led
Stayed six months in jail eatin’ short’nin bread
Sung here by Vancha March: