“Go to Sleep, My Little Pickaninny”
Author: unknown
Earliest date: 1927 (Brown)
Found in: US(SE)
Description
The "little Alabama coon" is told, "Go to sleep, my little pickaninny, Brother Fox will catch you if you don't...." Fuller forms may describe the child's life and ambitions for when he grows up
Notes
Brown gives two forms of this song, one a genuine song in which the baby describes its aspirations (such as they are), the second probably a pure lullaby. The full form, which is strongly racist, is probably a minstrel piece which wore down to the somewhat less offensive lullaby version. - RBW
References
- BrownIII 116, "Go to Sleep, My Little Pickaninny" (2 texts plus mention of 1 more)
- BI, Br3116
The Traditional Ballad Index is copyright ©2008
by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle.
The Digital Tradition is copyright The Mudcat Cafe.