Lyr Req: My Curly Headed Baby (lullaby)

Subject: Lyr Req: Lullaby - want the mooon to play with
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 01:10 PM

My grandmother used to sing a lullaby to us but I can only remember a part and wonder if anyone knows its origins and/or more words
Lullula lulla lulla lulla bye bye
Do you want the moon to play with?
Or the stars to run away with?
They'll come if you don't cry.
Lullula lulla lulla lulla bye bye
To your mammys arms be creeping
And soon you will be peeping
Lullula lulla lulla lullaby

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lullaby - want the mooon to play with
From: nutty
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 06:24 PM

It's "MA CURLY-HEADED BABY" , Paul Robeson used to sing it wonderfully well.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lullaby - want the mooon to play with
From: MMario
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 07:14 PM

music here

http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/S?ammem/aasm:@field(TITLE+@od1(Ma+curly-headed+babby+))

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lullaby - want the mooon to play with
From: Willa
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 07:26 PM

Hi Jane
Nutty is right. My mum used to sing this to us. I did have the sheet music but don't think I have it now. The version I know is slightly different, in that the penultimate line is 'Close your eyes and go to sleep'
The words of the verse would not now be PC

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lullaby - want the mooon to play with
From: Art Thieme
Date: 15 Jan 03 - 10:51 PM

This is the only song that I ever learned in the classic traditional manner----having it passed down to me in my family. I will never forget my grandmother singing me to sleep (or trying to) with this song. She passed away around 1955. A great lady whose memory I will always cherish. And a nice song too.

Jean, does this make me an informant? ;-)

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lullaby - want the moon to play with
From: ard mhacha
Date: 16 Jan 03 - 07:28 AM

Still available on Paul Robeson CD`s. Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lullaby - want the moon to play with
From: Noreen
Date: 16 Jan 03 - 08:30 AM

Can you tell me where please, Ard Macha? I did an online search a while ago of PR's recordings, looking for this very song, and couldn't find it.

My parents sang it to me, and I in turn sang it (and still on occasion, sing it) to my children.

Thanks so much for the link to the music, MMario. I've printed it out and will be delighted to give my mum a copy.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lullaby - want the moon to play with
From: nutty
Date: 16 Jan 03 - 11:14 AM

Try here Noreen .... this looks promising

Paul Robeson CD

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lullaby - want the moon to play with
From: Willa
Date: 16 Jan 03 - 12:05 PM

Have borrowed a Paul Robeson CD from the music library and will post the lyrics later; I'm working this evening.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lullaby - want the moon to play with
From: open mike
Date: 16 Jan 03 - 12:17 PM

i remember my mom singing a song that went like this:
skeeters am a humming in the sweet potato vine
Sleep Kentucky babe...anyone have any more of this one?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lullaby - want the moon to play with
From: open mike
Date: 16 Jan 03 - 01:00 PM

yes i found the KY babe in teh D.T.--should have known!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lullaby - want the moon to play with
From: nutty
Date: 16 Jan 03 - 01:05 PM

For anyone interested , the sheet music for Sleep Kentucky Babe can be found here ...............

CLICK HERE

Subject: Lyr Add: MY CURLY HEADED BABY (from Paul Robeson)
From: Willa
Date: 16 Jan 03 - 05:34 PM

Mrs Duck

MY CURLY HEADED BABY
Sung by Paul Robeson on Conifer CMSCD 011
From the film 'Big Fella' (1937)

Oh, my baby, my curly headed baby,
We'll sit below the sky and sing a song to the moo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oon.
Oh, my baby, my curly headed baby,
Your daddy's in the cotton fields a-workin' late and soo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oon.

So lulla lulla lulla lulla bye bye
Does you want the moon to play with
Or the stars to run away with?
They'll come if you don't cry.
So lulla lulla lulla lulla bye bye
In your mammy's arms be creepin'
And soon you'll be a-sleepin'
Lulla lulla lulla lulla lulla bye.

Oh, my baby, my curly headed baby,
I'll sing you fast asleep and love you so as I sing.
Oh, my baby, my curly headed baby,
Just tuck your head like little bird beneath its mammy's wing.

So lulla lulla lulla lulla bye bye
Does you want the moon to play with
Or the stars to run away with?
They'll come if you don't cry.
So lulla lulla lulla lulla bye bye
In your mammy's arms be creepin'
And soon you'll be a-sleepin'
Lulla lulla lulla lulla lulla bye.

On the CD Paul sings lulla with a short a (as in dull) and my baby as written.
Other versions I've heard use loola and ma babby.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lullaby - want the moon to play with
From: ard mhacha
Date: 17 Jan 03 - 01:49 PM

Noreen, I have sent you a PM regarding the Robeson CD, sorry i`m late I couldn`t get on earlier to-day. Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lullaby - want the moon to play with
From: ard mhacha
Date: 17 Jan 03 - 01:52 PM

And well done Willa. Ard Mhacha.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lullaby - want the moon to play with
From: Noreen
Date: 17 Jan 03 - 08:12 PM

Thanks all!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lullaby - want the moon to play with
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 18 Jan 03 - 01:15 PM

Just tracked down the Paul Robson version and listened to it. Strange that I remember the verses but did not associate them with the chorus - perhaps I used to fall asleep in between!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lullaby - want the moon to play with
From: GUEST,julia
Date: 18 Jan 03 - 05:09 PM

I'm wondering about this one , now that you have me thinking. My mother used to sing it to me-

I'll buy you a star, not just any star
But the best one in the sky
You'll have a cloud to sleep on
A cloud as soft as an angel's sigh
A fine silver chain made from the rain
Of a summer afternoon
I'll buy you a star my darling
But I won't rest till I buy the moon

Any ideas?
best- Julia

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lullaby - want the moon to play with
From: Margret RoadKnight
Date: 05 Aug 03 - 09:51 AM

MA CURLY HEADED BABY, incidentally and unexpectedly (considering it's decidedly 'plantation-esque'flavour) was written by an Australian - George Clutsam.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lullaby - want the moon to play with
From: Noreen
Date: 05 Aug 03 - 01:25 PM

Interesting, Margret. Do you have any more information about him?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lullaby - want the moon to play with
From: Margret RoadKnight
Date: 05 Aug 03 - 10:01 PM

Noreen -
Not much extra info, I'm afraid.....
Published out of England as G.M.Clutsam, wrote other such 'southern' songs, set some Dame Mary Gilmore poems to music (which I'd love to see/ hear.... anybody got info on those?)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lullaby - want the moon to play with
From: Margret RoadKnight
Date: 05 Aug 03 - 10:17 PM

Correction - G.H. Clutsam

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lullaby - want the moon to play with
From: GUEST,Miss. Babs.
Date: 08 Feb 07 - 08:22 AM

My Grandmother used to sing it to my Mother and to my Uncle and Auntie when they were children. She had a beautiful voice and I always begged her to sing it to me. Like someone else, I remember a different version of the song.
Instead of: to your mammys arms come creeping
             and soon you'll be a peeping
I was taught: through your window, moonlight comes creeping
               and soon you'll be a sleeping.
Does anyone else remember this version? Or is that just me?

Subject: Lyr Add: MA CURLY-HEADED BABBY (George H. Clutsam)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 Feb 07 - 12:25 AM

Lyrics below copied from the sheet music at The Library of Congress American Memory Collection:

MA CURLY-HEADED BABBY: PLANTATION SONG
George H. Clutsam, (1866-1951)
New York : Chappell & Co., c1897.

1. Oh, ma babby, ma curly-headed babby,
We'll sit below de sky an' sing a song to de moon.
Oh, ma babby, ma little nigger babby,
Yo' daddy's in de cotton-field a-workin' for de coon.

CHORUS: So lulla, lulla, lulla, lulla, by-by!
Does yer want de moon ter play wid?
Or de stars ter run away wid?
Dey'll come if you don't cry;
So lulla, lulla, lulla, lulla, by-by!
In de mammy's arms be creepin',
An' soon yer'll be a-sleepin'.
Lulla, lulla, lulla, lulla, lullaby!

2. Oh, ma babby, ma curly-headed babby,
I'll dance yer fast to sleep an' lub yer so, as I sing.
Oh, ma babby, ma little nigger babby,
Jus' tuck yer head, little bird, below its mammy's wing. CHORUS.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lullaby - want the moon to play with
From: GUEST,Susanna
Date: 21 Sep 07 - 08:54 PM

Have found the sheet music for this on ebay also performances on youtube of Paul Robeson (without racial words) and the original lyrics sung by Australian Elsa Stenning at Covent Garden Opera house.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Lullaby - want the moon to play with
From: Art Thieme
Date: 21 Sep 07 - 09:29 PM

For all those who couldn't understand how and why I changed the title of the song De Massa Ob De Sheepfol' to The Master Of The Sheepfold --- and then did the same with the entire song lyric:

This thread ought to make it pretty obvious!

Art

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: GUEST,flowerchild
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 07:33 AM

Thanks for the lyrics to the song that my dear ole dad used to sing to me when i was wee. Now i have another hardie... Does anybody know who sang and what this lullabye is called...another that i remember from many years ago.

Lilac trees are bloomin in the corner by the gate
Mammys in her little wooden shed
Curly headed picanniny comin home so late
Cryin cause his little heart is sore.
All the children in the street have skin so white and fair
None of them with him will ever play
So mammy in her lap
Takes the little weeping chap
And says in her own kind way
'Now honey you stay in your own backyard,
Don't mind what those white childs say,
What do you think they're gonna do
To a little black coon like you?
So stay on this side of the high board fence
And honey don't you cry so hard
Go out and play just as much as you please
But stay in your own backyard'

It has such a beautiful tune that is great to lilt and play with and my son loves it.

Any ideas??

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 08:32 AM

Lilac trees / own back yard is a song which has also been asked and discussed on Mudcat at least a couple of times that I can recall.
Try here
Lilac Trees
or here
More Lilac Trees
Quack!
Geoff the Duck

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: Flowerchild
Date: 06 Nov 07 - 05:43 AM

Thanks Geoff, being a newby on the forum i hadn't realised how known this song was.

thanks for the info...

Flowerchild

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Little curly hair in a high chair lul
From: Flowerchild
Date: 06 Nov 07 - 06:20 AM

mmmm.... mmmmm....
there you go...
pullin off your sox, playin' with your blocks....

mmmm... mmmmm...
there you go...
trying to make your toes, touch your baby nose..

...whats the order for today...

...Little curley hair in a high chair...

Here you go...anybody know this one???

My father now flying with the spirits somewhere sang a plethora of lullabyes ans songs to me when i was wee...

this one is beautiful, i can hum it but the words fail...

Would be wonderfully happy if one could enlighten me with the words...

Smiles
Flowerchild

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 08:31 AM

my mum sang this to me as a baby too :)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: GUEST,John Warren
Date: 28 Nov 07 - 11:52 PM

I always have sung "Bye Bye Blackbird" and "Summertime" to my now 7- and 9-year-old girls, as my mother did to me. Usually, they're out by the end of "Summertime," which always comes second. If not, I hum a couple more verses. When they're REALLY wound up, I leave them with a Mills Brothers CD playing.

I had my son, on try No. 4, 19 months ago. I started singing "Curly Headed Baby" to him when he was very little, but couldn't get the lyrics down. This has renewed my commitment to learn them. I have a version by Paul Robeson as a point of reference.


I'd love to hear the tune to "Old Backyard." If there's nothing online, I'd love for someone to call and sing it into my voice mail. Let me know if there's a willing party.

Anyone have some other good, lost lullabies?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: Vic Smith
Date: 29 Nov 07 - 09:41 AM

"My Curly-Headed Baby" was also my lullaby sung to me both by my mother and my grandmother. It has had an amazing effect on me to think about it again after all these years when I have not even thought about it.

When it was sung to my younger brother - five years younger than me - I can remember both mum and granny telling me that they they had learned it from Paul Robeson and that he was a very fine and important man and that he helped the miners - two of my uncles had been miners before being killed in the First World War. It was not just that he was a fine entertainer and was in a number of prominent British-produced films in the '30s and '40s but I'm not sure that it is widely known now what an important political figure he was in Britain, during those years.
The Wikipedia summary of him at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Robeson
gives a good summary of this great, charismatic man

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: GUEST,Lynne Edwards
Date: 02 Dec 07 - 05:39 PM

My mum used to sing this to me and I have sung it to all my six children along with Goodnight Mr Elephant and Peek a Boo I see you hiding there as her mother had sung them to her.

My Mum died 32 years ago. Last night I sang them all to her sister my aunt as she lay seriously ill in hospital. Then i came home and sang them again to my 10 month old grandson as he fell asleep in my arms.

How lovely to find google can reveal to me others who love this song - and know all the words. Mummy sang the babby version with the un PC words coon and nigger. But to me as a little white child they were beautiful words, tender, loving and exotic.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: Pastor Mike
Date: 04 Dec 07 - 04:42 PM

If you like Paul Robeson, try the double CD set 'The essential Paul Robeson' This includes My Curly Headed Baby plus 49 other tracks. On the ASV Living Era label (catalogue from [e-mail]) or available cheap online from Amazon.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: GUEST,charsiegs
Date: 28 Jun 08 - 10:39 PM

Hi, I just want to thank all of you for solving a family mystery.
I've been singing 'lulla lulla lulla lullabyebye' to my grandchildren for years, but only knew the first four lines. My mother, long deceased, used to sing it to me and then to my children.
Finally, thanks to Google and all of you, I'm able to put it together.
Thanks a million!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: Penny S.
Date: 20 Aug 08 - 05:43 PM

Well, I was surprised. I left Mudcat just now to google this, which my Dad sang to me (My Mum sang Golden Slumbers), only to get instantly back here again.
I was wondering how to make it singable.

I have recently been looking up songs in an old community song book - often in versions which eliminate any obvious mention of sexual congress - but it was really weird to see the n word used so blithely, not to mention the slaves regretting that Massa's in de cold cold ground.

This lullaby is so good it needs saving though.

Robeson sang to the people of Clacton from the balcony of a hotel later to be the college I attended - but they never told us that. My family respected him, though not miners, just Left Book Club readers.

Penny

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: GUEST,Susan B
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 09:39 AM

This summer I was at a singing camp in Ireland. One night we gathered to sing lullabyes, and heard many lovely ones from different parts of the world. I sang the chorus to this one, which I had heard from my mother and which I sang to each of my five children. To our amazement, a women from Ireland sang the same song, with almost identical lyrics and tune. We couldn't figure out how each of us knew the same lullabye. When I got home I Googled it and found this thread. My mother was a great jazz, blues and spiritual lover, and I have to think she heard Paul Robeson's version.

Subject: Lyr Add: LITTLE CURLY HAIR IN A HIGH CHAIR
From: GUEST,seduarte
Date: 03 Jan 09 - 01:05 AM

This song my mom sang to my sisters and me as children:

Little curly head in a high chair,
What's your order for today?
Little curly head in a high chair,
I'll do anything you say.

When you're near, the room seems to brighten.
Sun comes shining through your eyes.
You're the reason they keep on writin'
All those tender lullabies.

Mmm mmmm, there you go,
Pulling off your socks,
Banging with your blocks.
Mmm mmmm, there you go,
Trying to touch your baby nose
With your baby toes.

Heaven's close to your chair and my chair
When you smile the way you do.
Little curly head in a high chair,
My day begins and ends with you.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 04 Jan 09 - 09:35 AM

Seduarte: Your song is a different one, but certainly worthy of having at Mudcat.

The Online 78rpm Discographical Project says LITTLE CURLY HEAD IN A HIGH CHAIR was recorded by Ben Bernie & His Orchestra, on 3/28/1940, and released as a 78-rpm record, Conqueror 9461.

Another discography indicates that Gracie Fields also recorded it in 1940.

The title is usually given as LITTLE CURLY HAIR IN A HIGH CHAIR. Under that title, it was recorded by Ben Bernie (on the Vocalion label), Eddie Cantor, Jimmy Dorsey, Sammy Kaye, Johnny Messner, and Fats Waller—all around the same time in 1940. Helen O'Connell also recorded it, but I was unable to find the date.

The Red Hot Jazz Archive has the recording by Fats Waller: Click to play.

It was used in the 1940 MGM film "Forty Little Mothers," directed by Busby Berkeley, and starring Eddie Cantor. IMDb.com gives this info:

LITTLE CURLY HAIR IN A HIGH CHAIR
Music by Nat Simon
Lyrics by Charles Tobias
Sung by Eddie Cantor
Played often throughout the film
Reprised by Eddie Cantor, Judith Anderson, Rita Johnson, Nydia Westman and schoolgirls

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: GUEST,Fishergirl Seattle
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 02:31 PM

KENTUCKY BABE (Music by Adam Geibel / Lyrics by Richard Henry Buck, 1896) Perry Como

Skeeters am a hummin' on the honeysuckle vine sleep Kentucky Babe!

Sandman am a comin' to this little child of mine sleep Kentucky Babe!

Silvery moon am a shinin' on de heavens up above bobolink am pinin' for his little lady love . . .

You is might lucky Babe of old Kentucky close your eyes in sleep . . . and fly away, fly away Kentucky Babe, fly away to rest, fly away, lay your cy woolly head on your mammy's breast, hmm, hmmm, edah la da da dee close your eyes in sleep!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 23 Jan 09 - 03:17 PM

"Kentucky Babe" posted in thread 7123. Well-remembered from childhood.
Kentucky Babe

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: GUEST,Harry
Date: 06 Mar 09 - 09:36 AM

Does anybody have the chords to "My curly headed baby". I was reading about Paul Robeson yesterday. What a courageous human. And what a great human being. African American, Political Acticists, civil rights activist, compassionate human being, Foot ball player, movie actor, shakespearen theater actor, list goes on... True world citizen.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Dec 09 - 04:29 AM

I also remember this song from my childhood when my mother used to sing it to me and I discovered the other day that my now 95 year old aunt used to sing it to her daughter. My mother was impressed by Paul Robeson as a singer and a human being. I also have his autograph as Mom used to be a avid theatre goer and was friends with Bebe Daniels and Ben Lyon (of radio and TV Life with the Lyons anyone remember??). She collected autographs of many of the stars she saw in those days. I think the stars were more available and quite easy to meet if you waited at the stage doors etc.    Pat K

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Dec 09 - 10:03 PM

My mum used to sing Curly-headed Baby to me when I was sick and couldn't sleep as a child, and to my boys when they were little before she passed away in 1991.

She also used to sing another lullaby but I don't know the name of the song. It had very politically incorrect lyrics that went something like:

Little Piccaninny in your cosy bed of bark
Mama lubra watches by
While the stars are in the sky
See the sun is setting o'er the mountains in the west.
Soon the sunshine you will see
Little aborigine.

I havent heard the lyrics for 40 years so not 100% certain of them.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: GUEST
Date: 31 May 10 - 05:09 AM

Recorded by Paul Robeson on His Masters Voice (attributed to Clutsam) O/S "Mah Lindy Lou" - Anyone want it ?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: GUEST,FancyFaye
Date: 24 Sep 10 - 03:36 PM

WOW!!!
This is the first time I have ever known that other families sing this song.
My mother always sang it: I am trying to pass it down to my Grand-children

Do you want the moon to play with?
And the stars to run away with?
They'll come if you don't cry,
with a lula, lula, lula, lula bye bye
Your Mommy's singing, (I think when she first started it was Mammy)
You'll soon be a sleeping with a
lula, lula, lula, lula, bye

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: GUEST,Fantail.Nightingale
Date: 14 Oct 10 - 11:34 PM

My grandmother sang Ma Curly headed baby to me as a child. So much so that the only name i ever called her was "Lulu Byebye" I've always remembered it and it's had a special place in my heart. Great to finally know the name and see all the lyrics.Thank you!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: Art Thieme
Date: 14 Oct 10 - 11:58 PM

Great thread! Great song. It brings my grandmother back to me!
Art

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: GUEST,Frank Hughes UK
Date: 25 Nov 10 - 10:01 AM

My Father sang this song ( sweetly ) to both myself and my younger sister in the 1930's when we were both babys.And inturn we sang it to our children . delighted I found the Web Site and the words PS my father loved Paul Robson

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 25 Nov 10 - 10:25 AM

My mum sang this to us as little nippers in the 50s. Just the chorus. Nice to be reminded!

Lula lula lula lula bye bye
Do you want the moon to play with?
And the stars to run away with?
They'll come if you don't cry
sing lula lula lula lula bye bye
In your mammy's arms a'creepin'
Soon you'll be a'sleepin'
Singing lula, lula, lula, lula, bye

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: GUEST,Charlie
Date: 13 Feb 11 - 05:52 PM

My mum sung the same lyrics as your version Steve. She died three years ago but I've always sung the lullaby to my children and they've learnt it too now to keep passing down the generations. Great to read about its background

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jun 11 - 03:30 PM

My mother used to sing this to me, and also to my children (now grown). I never knew the title, and she only ever sang the chorus. She died 13 years ago, but reading these words has brought her very close again. How wonderful to know that Paul Robeson sang it. My parents both loved him, especially his version of Ole Man River. I'm now going to try and get it on CD so we can keep on passing it down through the generations.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: Linterbug
Date: 03 Jun 11 - 03:42 PM

Now changed from 'Guest' to Linterbug - what a great site this is!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: GUEST,Jazzharp
Date: 20 Jun 11 - 05:10 PM

My grandmother recorded My Nigger Babby, on 78rpm,back in the early thirties. We didn't know it was a famous song!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: GUEST,Oh my baby..
Date: 20 Aug 11 - 08:46 PM

My twin sister and I sng this song in the award winning school choir we belonged to.After 50 odd years its still a favorite of ours which we still sing.
Sallie.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: GUEST,Egyed Ami
Date: 08 Mar 13 - 02:15 PM

Hi :). Paul Robeson sang it, he was a great singer- songwriter and a good person, but he was a communist who McCarthy was after as well. That idiot wanted to execute Robeson >:(.

You can find it on youtube, there are many videos of it with lyrics as well, if you would like to learn the song.

Anyway, this was the first song I ever heard, my father sang it to me when I was in the womb xx Great song :)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: GUEST,Canadian mum
Date: 14 May 13 - 08:15 PM

Wow, I was sung this growing up by my English grandmother and mother. I still remember the chorus bt forgot the verses and made up my own for my kids, now in 2013. Now I can really sing the correct words.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: Crowhugger
Date: 14 May 13 - 11:50 PM

My mum sang it to me too.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 15 May 13 - 12:57 PM

Re Jazzharp:

John Dilleshaw and group also recorded "My Nigger Baby" in 1929. Not very close to M C-H B.

He can be found singing his song, if you google for it, but the site is messed up with a lot of other stuff.

There may be other recordings, the song was popular at the time.

Subject: Lyr Add: NIGGER BABY (John Dilleshaw)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 15 May 13 - 03:20 PM

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.]

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: GUEST,Tobias Enevoldsen
Date: 27 Jun 13 - 02:58 AM

Great tune with a terrible name. But it could be rewritten a bit to suit the present.

Here is what I could add:

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

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

3. See that train a-coming; it's coming round the curve.
It's huffing (?), it's blowing; it's ringing (?) every nerve.
The engineer said to the fireman, chunk in a little more coal.
I'm bound to run this engine, some dark and lonesome hole (?)

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.
Somebody's little nigger baby way down in Alabam'.

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

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 05 Nov 15 - 08:38 PM

Well I've been a grandad for five weeks. Our lovely but non-stop-yelling grandson lives over two hundred miles away from us, in Richmond (the London one), unfortunately. We were there today though, and, as I proudly pushed him around the rainy streets (no-one else was getting a go) and Thames-side paths, I found myself singing (a word I use advisedly in my case) this song to him. It worked, I swear it! My mum used to sing it to me and I "sang" it to mine, and I'm determined that this family tradition shall live on. Well, at least as long as I can persuade my son from singing Johnny Cash songs to the little lad ALL the time! I'm pretty sure my mum got it from the singing of the wonderful Paul Robeson.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly-Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: Mrrzy
Date: 06 Nov 15 - 11:28 AM

Wow, the only curly-headed baby song I know is < a href="by Woody Guthrie but sung by Cisco Houston" and is not, repeat not, a lullaby.

Subject: Lyr Add: SHE'S MY CURLY HEADED BABY (Callahan Bros
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 10 Nov 15 - 03:39 PM

SHE'S MY CURLY HEADED BABY
As recorded by The Callahan Brothers, 1934.

For about my curly-headed baby,
She has come back home to me,
And, dear friends, I want to tell you:
We are happy as can be.

For four long years we have been parted.
A nervous wreck it made of me,
Until six o'clock last Sunday morning,
She called up and said: "It's me."

[yodel]

Dear friends, I could not keep from cryin',
But I was crying just with joy,
For she told me she still loved me,
And she still had our little boy.

[yodel]

She came back crying on my shoulder.
Now what I'm telling you is true;
And she said: "My little darling,
Now my flirting days are through."

[yodel]

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Nigger Baby (lullaby)
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Sep 16 - 12:17 AM

==========
1. Fare you well, my little nigger baby, with the BLACK-FACED shining eyes. (may be "brightly", but this seems apt.)
You're just as good as a railroad bum in the sweet by-and-by.
BLACKS ALL KNOW YOU WAS BORN THAT WAY, WITH THE (?) OF A THIEF;
Somebody's little nigger baby, going down DECATUR STREET.

2. I know he is a very bad COON, for I am one myself.
I tote my razor in my hand, my pistol in my belt.
I'm on my way to glory, Lord; I'm riding through the sky,
Somebody's little nigger baby in the sweet by-and-by.

3. See that train a-coming; it's coming round the curve.
It's PUFFING, it's blowing; it's SPRINGING/STRAINING(?) every nerve.
The engineer said to the fireman, chunk in a little more coal.
I'm bound to run this engine in some dark and lonesome hole.

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.
Somebody's little nigger baby way down in Alabam'.

5. Catching my mule ? A SADDLE on him and I hopped up on his back.
I POPPED my WHIP AND hollered; oh, sinners, clear the track.
I'm on my way to glory, Lord; I'm riding through the sky,
Somebody's little nigger baby, in the sweet by-and-by

=======================================================

I've been trying to figure this out in entirety for FIFTEEN YEARS.

Thank you all.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Nigger Baby
From: GUEST,Kegan
Date: 29 Sep 16 - 12:21 AM

The above was me, sorry.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Sep 19 - 02:18 PM

My mother sang the same song with these words you shared. I listened to Paul Robson's lullaby and it is neither the same melody or lyrics.
I wish I had knew the title for sure and where to find the music.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: GUEST,Rod
Date: 13 Nov 19 - 11:35 AM

This song was published in the late 19th century by an Australian called GH Clutsam variously through Boosey and others, and was written in the customary mock pidgin script of the time ("Ma curly Headed Babby").
However misguided it may look now it was glorified and owned as an anthem by Paul Robeson in his renditions, which are various.
The lullaby transcends the implications in the lyrics, and in my view can be sung without any concern of contempt.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Feb 22 - 09:37 PM

There's a biography of the song's author George Howard Clutsam at this link, as well as a picture of the song sheet:

https://ozvta.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/clutsam-george-1912014.pdf

(My mum used to sing Lula Lula Bye Bye to me as a baby too (1972), and her mother sang it to her (1944). I wouldn't be surprised if my g-grandmother sang it to my grandmother (1917).)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: Mrrzy
Date: 24 Feb 22 - 11:33 AM

Wups, here's that link to Cisco Houston's version of Woody Guthrie's Curly Headed Baby. Not a lullaby.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My Curly Headed Baby (lullaby)
From: Noreen
Date: 25 Feb 22 - 10:01 AM

GEORGE H. CLUTSAM

(link posted by GUEST above 23 Feb 22 - 09:37 PM)