Mammy's Pickanin'

Lucy Dean Jenkins

Now, whah d'ye s'pose dat chile is?

My, he's got a head!

He's a-hidin' frum his mammy

'Case it's time to go to bed.

Hyah, you, Petah Johnsing!

Come inside dat fence.

I done tole you yes'day

You didn't hab no sense.

What's dat? A-waitin' fo' yo' daddy?

(Bress his little hea't!)

Why, chile! Yo' daddy won't be comin'

Froo dat woodsy pa't

At dis time ob de ebenin'.

Don't you see dat moon?

Dat's de sign dat spooks

'Ll be a-trablin' soon.

I b'lieve I see 'em

Comin'—Massy me!

As sho' as you is breavin'

Dar's one behind dat tree!

Ha! Ha! I t'ought dat 'd bring him.

Come hyah, sweety hon',

Come to yo' ole mammy,

An' if dose spookies come

An' want my pickaninny,

I'll swat 'em in de face;

I'll take dar flowin' ga'ments,

An' jest wipe up de place.

I'll take dat ar bu'nt hoe-cake,

An' hit 'em on de head,

Till dey'll be glad to go away,

An' let my baby go to bed.

So, don't cry no mo', my honey,

Jes' close yo' little eye,

An' mammy'll rock ye in her a'ms,

An' sing de—
"Lullaby,
Close yo' eye,
Mammy's little dusky baby;
Hush-a-bye,
Close yo' eye,
Mammy's little baby boy,
Den hush-a-bye."

Now, what's de mattah, honey?

Ain't you neber gwine ter sleep?

Dose spookies ain't a-comin';

Dey's gwine off down de street.

Now shet yo' eyes up tight,

An' go right off to sleep;

An' to-morrow for yo' breakfus'

You'll hab' possum for to eat.

So, don't cry no mo', my honey,

Jes' close yo' little eye,

While mammy rocks you in her a'ms

An' sings de—
"Lullaby," etc.