"Old Aunt Jemima" is an American folk song written by comedian, songwriter, and minstrel show performer Billy Kersands (circa 1842–1915).
Kersands wrote his first version of "Old Aunt Jemima" in 1875 and it became his most popular song.
Author Robert Toll claimed that Kersands performed the song over 2,000 times by 1877.
It was not uncommon for the Aunt Jemima character to be played by a white man in blackface.
[2] One version of "Old Aunt Jemima" began with a stanza expressing dissatisfaction with the dullness of worship services in white churches, such as a complaint about the length of the prayers.
The song ended with the following two stanzas: The monkey dressed in soldier clothes, Old Aunt Jemima, oh!
The jay bird hung on the swinging limb, Old Aunt Jemima, oh!
The bullfrog married the tadpole's sister, Old Aunt Jemima, oh!
[2][3] Some variants of the song substituted "pea-vine" for "bee line".
Another version included the verse: My old missus promise me, Old Aunt Jemima, oh!
When she died she-d set me free, Old Aunt Jemima, oh!