Once I heard the title, I knew I would have to hear and maybe transcribe this song. Don't get me wrong: I would *never* use the n-word in ordinary speech, and I wouldn't sing this song, or advise that anyone sing it, without making some drastic changes to remove it's offensiveness. But it's a good tune, and doesn't deserve to be forgotten. (Why should the devil have all the best tunes?) Anyway, I have no doubt that a creative person could figure out a way to sanitize this song while salvaging some of the creativity of the original songwriter, whoever that was. Meanwhile, for historical reasons, or maybe because I have a morbid curiosity about such things, I want to know what the original words were. I suspect the racism goes beyond using the n-word, because there is a reference to toting razors, which is an old stereotype, and maybe more.

I found this song on Spotify.

This is a difficult one to transcribe. I would appreciate help filling in the gaps.

Several lines sound like they could be floaters, although I don't recognize them.


NIGGER BABY
As sung by John Dilleshaw on "John Dilleshaw 1929-1930" (Document Records #8002, 1997)
Originally recorded under the name Al Gray & 7-Foot Dilly, on Vocalion 5458, 1930.

1. Fare you well, my little nigger baby, with the … shining eyes.
You're just as good as a railroad bum(?) in the sweet by-and-by.
...
… little nigger baby, going down to … street.

2. … very bad … for I am one myself.
I tote my razor in my hand, my … in my belt.
I'm on my way to glory, Lord; I'm riding through the sky,
… little nigger baby … sweet by-and-by.

3. See that train a-coming; it's coming round the curve.
It's …, it's blowing; it's … every nerve.
The engineer said to the fireman, chunk in a little more coal.
I'm bound to run this engine, ….

4. Little Sally Walker, she's sitting in the sun.
She's a-weeping, she's a-mourning, ever since I've been gone.
She's a-weeping, she's a-mourning, and sweet as a lamb.
… little nigger baby way down in Alabam'.

5. Catching my mule ... on his back.
I caught my whiff(?) in the parlor; oh, sinners, clear the track.
I'm on my way to glory, Lord; I'm riding through the sky,
… little nigger baby, in the sweet by-and-by.


[The Online 78-rpm Discography Project says that Dr. Smith Champ Hoss Pullers also recorded a song with this title on Victor 40124, in 1928, but I haven't heard that recording.]