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324 Indiana University Publications, Folklore Series
78 KEEMO-KIMO
Only fragments of this old English nonsense rhyme have been found. For other texts and fragments, see Odum and Johnson, Negro Workaday Songs, p. 187; Scarborough, pp. 156 (air and fragments) and 285 (a version from Christy and Wood's New Song Book, an old minstrel songster) ; and White, American Negro Folk Songs, p. 175. Cf. also Kittredge's note in Journal, XXXV, 396.
A
Communicated by Mr. A. T. McAllister, of Stendal, Indiana. Pike County. July 11, 1935.
1. Away down yonder on Beaver Creek,
Sing-song, Kitty, won't you ki-meo ? The fish there grow full sixteen feet, Sing-song, Kitty, won't you ki-meo?
Keemo-kimo, dear old wife,
Hey diddle, hoe diddle, mummy diddle;
Set back pennywinkle, Sally with your bootees on,
Sing-song, Kitty, won't you ki-meo?
2. For to go to bed there is no use,
Sing-song, Kitty, won't you ki-meo?
Your feet stick out for a chicken roost,
Sing-song, Kitty, won't you ki-meo?
B
Sent in by Mrs. Phoebe Elliott, of New Harmony, Indiana. Posey County. October 15, 1935.
1. There was a frog lived in a spring, Sing-song, Kitty, can't you M-me-o? He had such a cold that he couldn't sing, Sing-song, Kitty, can't you ki-me-o? |
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