[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular song from 1904
Words by William H. Gardner
Music by Adam Geibel
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James PItt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. By a pretty cabin
Where dere’s cotton all around
Plays a littl’ ‘ninny
Rollin’ ober on de groun’
Lookin’ all de blacker
‘Cause de cotton am so white
Happy as a robin
From de mawnin’ till de night
When de rooster’s crowin’
Wi’ his Cock-a-doo-dle-do
Pickaninny watches
And he’s soon a-crowin’ too
When de sun am blinkin’
Den he nod’s his woolly head
And his mammy whispers
“Come, its time to go to bed”
Refrain
Snowball Sammy yo’ a rogue
Snowball Sammy yo’ a tease
Plaguein’ of you Mammy
Naughty, naughty, Sammy
Askin’ jus’ fo’ ebry ting yo’ sees
But yo’, Sammy ain’t to blame
Way dey treat yo’ am a shame
Littl’ Snowball Sammy
Plague on to yo’ Mammy
But she lubs yo’ just de same
2. Always into trouble
And he often gets a bump
But he ain’t a cryin’
‘Dough he feels a great big lump
Pullin’ kitty’s whiskers
And a twistin’ bow-wows tail
Hid in grandma’s glasses
And a spilling of the pail
But yo’ cannot lick him
Fo’ he’s cunnin as a bird
Do yo’ want to scold him?
Why you cannot say a word
Just a got to lub him
When he’s bad and when he’s good
Praying dat de father
Will just lead him as he should
Sung here by Fred Feild: