Pickaninny Heaven

Album: Hello Everybody (1933)
Play Video
  • Little pickaninnies listen to the tale of a place that I know
    It's twice as high as the moon
    You get there in a balloon

    Haven't you been told of the place where the good little pickaninnies go?
    I've just been there so I ought to know
    Great big watermelons roll around and get in your way
    In the pickaninny heaven

    Luscious pork chop bushes growin' right outside your doorway
    In the pickaninnies' heaven
    I've heart that they've even got a Swannee River made of real lemonade
    And though the good lord took your mammy
    She'll be waiting for you In the pickaninny heaven
    Heaven
    Heaven

    They eat the windows and doors
    They eat the ceilings and floors
    Every kind of pet from a big teddy bear to a little Mickey Mouse
    And old Black Joe is their Santa Claus

    I've heart that they've even got a Swannee River made of real lemonade
    And though the good lord took your mammy
    She'll be waiting for you In the pickaninny heaven
    Heaven
    Heaven Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 4

  • Bill from UsaWe have absolutely got to start understanding that life 70 or 80 or 100 years ago is History. Was there bias? Yes. Was it wrong? Yes. But did they know it? No. A real good example: at the time of Christ, Jewish men were not considered ready for marriage until they were 30 years old. Who did they marry? Teenagers. It was correct. It was “policy.” Policy doesn’t have to make sense. It’s the way things were.
  • David Mcdonald from MassachusettsThat was disturbing on so many levels, it boggles the mind. I had seen the lyrics before, but I had never heard it performed. A lullaby? It sounded like an Athletic fight song for black orphans. Let me ask this question: If i had substituted "wop", "mick", or "polack" for pickaninny, and used terms like "meatballs", "potatoes", "kielbasa" for pork chops, would it still be just a silly song? It is a sorry excuse for a tune, no matter who wrote it, or recorded it.
  • William Sanders from New YorkIf Smith is fair game for ''Darkies,'' why not famed American singer, Paul Robeson, who is credited as Producer of the Smith recording, and who also recorded that song? Is it because he was black?
  • Bd from VicksburgGod bless America and Kate Smith!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet SprocketSongwriter Interviews

The "All I Want" singer went through a long depression, playing some shows when he didn't want to be alive.

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in Songs

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in SongsSong Writing

Elvis, Little Richard and Cheryl Cole have all sung about Teddy Bears, but there is also a terrifying Teddy song from 1932 and a touching trucker Teddy tune from 1976.

Zakk Wylde

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

Stan Ridgway

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

Tanita Tikaram

Tanita TikaramSongwriter Interviews

When she released her first album in 1988, Tanita became a UK singing sensation at age 19. She talks about her darkly sensual voice and quirky songwriting style.