Hushaby, hushaby, sweet little one
Destined to live as a "Negress' son,"
with silver teeth and brown skin, my delight,
"hey boy" to the rich, and "n******g" to whites.
"Negress' son", hushaby, hushaby
Mama's heart's shaking. You don't know why.
Your Pa's gone to work for some whites. Don't hear.
Dear little baby, don't feel my fear.
Hushaby hushaby, lovely one,
On a cradle of flowers, in a shirt of the sun.
Swing-a-ling in the winking wind all mild
Just as if you were a white lady's child.
Hushaby, hushaby, son, but prepare:
White Mistah's nets are spread everywhere
For a fine black kid with a fine black head.
Just like the whites', our heart beats red.