My old missus promised me, Old Aunt Jemima, oh! oh! oh! When she died she'd set me free, Old Aunt Jemima, oh! oh! oh! She lived so long her head got bald Old Aunt Jemima, oh! oh! oh! She swore she would not die at all, Old Aunt Jemima, oh! oh! oh!
"Lyle's Great Georgia Minstrel Song Book," 1875
It is assumed that Billy Kersands, "Essense of Virginny," 1875 (but perhaps 1871), was the original composer.
The 'promised me' verse in various forms appears in minstrel songs as early as 1845. Massa and misse promised me When they died they'd set me free Massa and misse dead and gone Here's old Sambo hillin' up corn.
Billy Kersands (c. 1842-1915) was an African-American singer and dancer, originally with the Georgia Minstrels. See Wikipedia. He toured, including England, and his marching band led a Mardi Gras parade in 1886.