Put on the skillet, put on the lead
Mama's gonna make a little shortnin' bread
That ain't all that she's gonna do
she's gonna make a little coffee, too

Mama's little baby loves shortnin', shortnin'
Mama's little baby loves shortnin' bread
Mama's little baby loves shortnin', shortnin'
Mama's little baby loves shortnin' bread

Three little children, lying in bed
two was sick, the other 'most dead
Send for the doctor, the doctor said:
give them just some shortnin' bread

Mama's little baby ...

Put on the skillet ...

Mama's little baby ...

When them children, sick in bed
heard that talk about shortnin' bread
Popped up well and dance and sing
I get by 'round, got to be
Mama's little baby ...