I Am Thinking Of My Pickanniny Days

Album: Ragtime (1902)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The misspelling of picaninny is far from the most doubtful feature of this Scott Joplin composition; as of January 2011, the British Library catalogue contained no less than five "picaninny songs" with the same spelling, all from the same period. The lyrics were supplied by Henry Jackson, an acquaintance of Joplin from Sedalia.

    It should be pointed out that in Joplin's era neither the word picaninny (however it was spelt) nor darkey - as used in the song - had the pejorative connotations that would later be attached to them.
  • Content-wise, the song is similar to the James Bland classic "Carry Me Back To Old Virginny," though the piano music is much darker (no pun intended). The sheet music was published by Thiebes-Stierlin in 1902. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Hawksley Workman

Hawksley WorkmanSongwriter Interviews

One of Canada's most popular and eclectic performers, Hawksley tells stories about his oldest songs, his plentiful side projects, and the ways that he keeps his songwriting fresh.

Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes

Chris Robinson of The Black CrowesSongwriter Interviews

"Great songwriters don't necessarily have hit songs," says Chris. He's written a bunch, but his fans are more interested in the intricate jams.

Spooner Oldham

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

The Police

The PoliceFact or Fiction

Do their first three albums have French titles? Is "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" really meaningless? See if you can tell in this Fact or Fiction.

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger

Kelly Keagy of Night RangerSongwriter Interviews

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger tells the "Sister Christian" story and explains why he started sweating when he saw it in Boogie Nights.