'Oh, do sing it!' cried Susie. 'I couldn't write a note of music if I tried for a year.'
'Yes, yes, you must!' echoed the others.
Thus urged, the unwilling composer was hauled to the piano and pressed on to the music-stool, where, with many protestations and much bashfulness, she sang the following song:
SHOO! PICCANINNIES.
[Listen to the music—midi(1.76KB)]
[Listen to the music—wav (2.66MB)]
1. 'Way down in Georgia where de sugar am grow,
All de piccaninnies want to suck de canes, you know!
An' dey're hidin' round an' peepin', like de 'possum all de day,
Till Uncle Sambo bring his stick an' chase 'em all away!
Chorus.
Shoo, shoo! piccaninnies mustn't come near!
Don't want no little piccaninnies 'way down here!
Ole mammy callin' you, de melon-beds among—
Shoo! little piccaninnies, 'way! go 'long!
2. When de kitchen-fire am blazin', an' Aunt Dinah stews an' bakes,
All de piccaninnies gather just to smell her pies an' cakes;
An' dey cluster round de window like de bees upon a comb,
Till Auntie Dinah she get mad, an' turn an' drive 'em home!
Shoo, shoo! piccaninnies, etc.
3. When massa go a-drivin' in de carry-all and pair,
Little piccaninnies run behind to shout Hurrah! and stare;
Den de overseer he come up, and use his big, long lash,
And say de road was neber meant to harbour nigger trash!
Shoo, shoo! piccaninnies, etc.
'It's lovely!' cried the admiring girls. 'Did you make up the words too?'