Sheet Music, 1910-1919

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ISBN

MUM00682, 0108

Description

Cover: photo of two males in blackface; drawing of an elderly African American woman talking to a young African American girl; Publisher: Harry von Tilzer Music Publishing Co. (New York)

Subject Headings (Library of Congress)

Songs -- United States -- 20th Century; Popular Music -- United States

Relational Format

music score

Original Format

scores

Original Collection

Sheldon Harris Collection (MUM00682), Archives and Special Collections, University of Mississippi Libraries

Lyrics

Lyrics:
First verse
What's the matter Honey there's a tear in your eye, Do white folks say you don't know where you go when you die? come to your mammy dear, Now don't you fear I will tell where colored children go when they leave here There's a happy land above the sky so blue And listen child what's waiting for you.
Chorus
You lay your black kinky head in a bed on a pillow of white When you sleep tight the angels watch over you ev'ry night The griddle cakes pop from the ground With sweet molasses all around Old Uncle Joe is playing tunes upon his old banjo The streets are all paved with gold I am told ev'ry bird in the skies has diamond eyes now ain't that nice so very nice Ev'ry little kinky headed girl and boy has the cutest silver pony for a toy In the place they call the Pickaninnies Paradise. You lay your black kinky head in a bed on a pillow of white When you sleep tight the angels watch over you ev'ry night The griddle cakes pop from the ground With sweet molasses all around Old Uncle Joe is playing tunes upon his old banjo The streets are all paved with gold I am told ev'ry bird in the skies has diamond eyes now ain't that nice so very nice Ev'ry little kinky headed girl and boy has the cutest silver pony for a toy In the place they call the Pickaninnies Paradise.
Second verse
Run and play my Honey by the mulberry tree. Just stay right near the window where your mammy can see now don't you feel so blue For I love you, and the white folks told me Honey, that they love you too If they speak about the skies up over head Just tell them dear what your mammy said.
(Chorus)

Content Disclaimer

Some of the images and language that appear in the digital collections depict prejudices that are not condoned by the University of Mississippi. This content is being presented as historical documentation to aid in the understanding of both American history and the history of the University of Mississippi. The University Creed speaks to our current deeply held values, and the availability of this content should not be taken as an endorsement of previous attitudes or behavior.

The Pickaninny's Paradise / music by Nat Osborn; words by Sam Ehrlich

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