My grandmother, born in Sweden, met my grandfather, also born in Sweden (20 miles apart), in Chicago, Illinois.

Neither spoke English. Working as a maid, my grandmother learned English and used to sing this song to me as a child (I am now a young child of 60 with 5 grandchildren of my own), however, this is how I learned the song:

Go to sleep, my little piccaninny!
Brer Fox will get you if you don't.
Rest your head on the bosom of your old Aunti Jinny. (I changed this to "Rest your head on the bosom of your new mommy" for my children)
Papa's gonna switch you if you don't.

Go to sleep, my little piccaninny!
Underneath the brightly shining moon.
Now hush-a-by and rock-a-by, my little piccaninny,
Hush-a-bye my piccaninny you!