[WARNING: This song contains antiquated racial stereotypes. It is presented here for historical and educational purposes only.]
A popular song from 1902.
Words and music by Louis Weslyn and Charles Albert.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. Old Grand Mammy sitting in the chair she loves so well
Little coons a-squatting on the floor
List’ning to the stories that they like to hear her tell
Tho’ they’ve heard ’em many times before
Candle is a sputt’ring and they ought to be in bed
But each one’s a wakeful little coon
As granny tells this story all is quiet as the dead
The yarn about the witch behind the moon
Chorus
Up behind de moon dere lives a nigger witch
Dat prowls around at night
Comes a-ridin’ down upon a broomstick
When de moon don’t shine too bright
Keeps a-lookin’ out for pickininnies
While she hums a hoodoo tune
In de house you better stay
So you won’t get in de way
Of de witch behind de moon
2. Ev’ry little pickininny’s eyes a-poppin out
Ev’ry one a-holding of his breath
All their hearts are throbbing
As they’re gazin round about
For each one is almost scared to death
Such uneasy little coons a-sneaking off to bed
Never saw before since you were born
And soon each has the covers up
Above each kinky head
And dreams of granny’s story till the morn
Sung here by Fred Feild