Historic Sheet Music Collection

Document Type

Score

Publication Date

1916

Comments

Lyrics by: J.R. Shannon

Arr. for piano: Frederic Knight Logan

Original melody procured by: John Valentine Eppel

Photo of Guy Lombardo on front cover.

Publisher: Forster Music Publisher Inc., 216 South Wabash Avenue Chicago IL

Copyright: MCMXIV by Forster Music Pub., Inc., Chicago, Ill. MCMXVI by Forster Music Pub., Inc., Chicago, Ill. International copyright secured. Made in U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Printer: Rayner, Dalmein & Co. Music Printers, Chicago

Advertisements: page 5 - “Follow the ‘Shefte Way’ for a Complete Mastery of the Piano Keyboard” Back cover: “Songs You Should Have” - a list of 7 songs. “Get it from your Music Dealer. Price 40c per copy. If for any reason he won’t supply you mail amount stated direct to the Publisher. Forster Music Publisher, Inc., 216 South Wabash Ave., Chicago, Ill.”

Some of these resources may contain offensive language or negative stereotypes. Such materials should be seen in the context of the time period and as a reflection of the attitudes of the time. The items are part of the historical record, and do not represent the views of the libraries or the institution.

Lyrics

Hush-a-bye, ma baby, slumbertime is comin’ soon;
Rest yo’head upon ma breast while Mammy hums a tune;
The sandman is callin’ where shadows are fallin’,
While the soft breezes sigh as in days long gone by.
‘Way down in Missouri where I heard this melody,
When I was a Pickaninny on ma Mammy’s knee;
The darkies were hummin,’ their banjos were strummin’ so sweet and low.
Strum, strum, strum, strum, strum,
Seems I hear those banjos playin’ once again,
Hum, hum, hum, hum, hum,
That same old plaintive strain.

[Instrumental interlude]

Hear that mournful melody, it just haunts you the whole day long,
And you wander in dreams back to Dixie it seems,
When you hear that old time song.
Hush-a-bye, ma baby, go to sleep on Mammy’s knee,
Journey back to Dixieland in dreams again with me;
It seems yo Mammy was there once again,
And the darkies were strummin’ that same old refrain.
Way down in Missouri where I learned this lullaby,
When the stars were blinkin’ and the moon was climbin’ high,
And I hear Mammy Cloe, as in days long ago
Singing hush-a-bye.

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The views expressed in this paper are solely those of the author.