Pickahninny, Pickahninny,
Close yo’ little eyes.
Evenin’ am er ’proachin’,
Tells yo’ sleep an’ quit yo’ cries,
Mammy’s gwine to keep
All o’ de boogahman erway—
Gyahd her little pickahninny
Till de cumin’ day.
Pickahninny, pickahninny,
Sleep an’ take yo’ res;
Sleep wid all de cumfort
Ub de birdies in dey nes’.
When de sun’s dun sinkin’,
In de eas’ begin to rise,
Mammy’s little pickahninny
Den kin ope’ its eyes.
Pickahninny, pickahninny,
Mammy’s little love,
May de gyahdin’ angels
Hubbah ’roun’ de fum erbove.
Wid dey sof’en sweeten whispahs
Keep de lull’d er sleep,
While de weary lonely hours
Slowly onward creep.
Pickahninny, pickahninny,
Keep er fas’ er sleep,
While de weary, lonely hours
Slowly onward creep.
Day will soon be breakin’,
Sun er creepin’ ’cross de skies,
Mammy’s little pickahninny
Den kin ope it’s eyes.