[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular song from 1897
Words by Paul Lawrence Dunbar
Music by W. W. Gilchrist
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by Benjamin R. Tubb:
- Bedtime’s come fo’ little boys,
Po’ little lamb!
Too tiah’d out to make a noise,
Po’ little lamb!
Gwine to have tomorrer sho’?
Yes you tole me dat befo’,
Don’t you fool me, chile, no mo’,
Po’ little lamb! - You been bad the livelong day,
Po’ little lamb!
Throwin’ stones an’ runnin’ way,
Po’ little lamb!
My! but you’s a runnin’ wild,
Look jes’ like some po’ folk chile,
Mam’ gwine whip you atter while,
Po’ little lamb! - Come hyeah! you mos’ tiah’d to def,
Po’ little lamb!
Play’d yo’se’f clean out o’ bref,
Po’ little lamb!
See dem han’s now, sich a sight!
Would you evah, b’lieve dey’s white?
Stan’ still while I wash dem right,
Po’ little lamb! - Jes’ caint hol’ yo’ haid up straight,
Po’ little lamb!
Hadn’t oughter play’d so late,
Po’ little lamb!
Mammy do’ know what she’d do,
Ef de chillun’s all lak you,
You’s a caution now fu’ tru’,
Po’ little lamb! - Lay yo’ haid down in my lap,
Po’ little lamb!
Y’ought to have a right down slap,
Po’ little lamb!
You been runnin’ roun’ a heap,
Shet dem eyes an’ don’ you peep,
Dah now! day now! go to sleep,
Po’ little lamb!