diff options
Diffstat (limited to '27195-h')
32 files changed, 11634 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/27195-h/27195-h.htm b/27195-h/27195-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f0f2ca2 --- /dev/null +++ b/27195-h/27195-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,11634 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg e-Book of Negro Folk Rhymes, by Thomas W. Talley. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5 { + text-align: center; + clear: both; + padding-top: 1.5em; + } + h3 {font-variant: small-caps;} + + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; + margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + border-collapse: collapse;} + table.lettering {margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em;} + th.ital {font-style: italic;} + td {padding: 0.2em; border: 0px solid white;} + td.b-lt {border-left: 3px solid black; border-top: 2px solid black;} + td.b-lb {border-left: 3px solid black; border-bottom: 2px solid black;} + td.b-rt {border-right: 3px solid black; border-top: 2px solid black;} + td.b-rb {border-right: 3px solid black; border-bottom: 2px solid black;} + + ul {list-style-type: none; padding-left: 1em;} + ol.roman {list-style-type: upper-roman;} + + h3.ital {font-style: italic; font-variant: normal;} + + p.introsig {margin-left: 70%; + font-variant: small-caps; } + p.tpline {border-top: solid 2px; + width: 10%; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto;} + p.pubsinfo {font-size: 80%; + text-align: center;} + + ins.correction {text-decoration: none; + border-bottom: thin dotted gray;} + + div.tn {background-color: #CCFFCC; color: #000; padding: .5em; + border: dashed 1px; margin: 1em auto 1em auto; font-size: 80%; + width: 60%;} + + div.clearbox {width: 60%; + margin: 0 auto; + padding-top: 2em; + padding-bottom: 2em;} + + div.clearbox-sm {width: 50%; + margin: 0 auto; + padding-top: 1em; + padding-bottom: 1em; + font-size: 80%;} + + div.figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + span.caption {font-size: 90%; font-weight: bold;} + + span.subtitle {font-size: 70%; font-style: italic;} + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + color: silver;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px; margin-left: 10%; + margin-right:auto; width: 35%;} + .footnote {margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; font-size: 0.9em;} + .footnote .label {right: auto; text-align: right;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none; + font-weight: normal; } + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poemsub {font-weight: normal;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem h5 br {display: inline;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em; } + .poem span.i0 {display: block; margin-left: 0em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i1 {display: block; margin-left: 1em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i3 {display: block; margin-left: 3em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i5 {display: block; margin-left: 5em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i6 {display: block; margin-left: 6em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i8 {display: block; margin-left: 8em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Negro Folk Rhymes, by Thomas W. Talley + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Negro Folk Rhymes + Wise and Otherwise: With a Study + +Author: Thomas W. Talley + +Release Date: November 7, 2008 [EBook #27195] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NEGRO FOLK RHYMES *** + + + + +Produced by Audrey Longhurst, S.D. and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="tn"> +<p>Transcriber's Note: Corrections are underlined with a <ins class="correction" title="original reads ...">thin dotted +line</ins>—hovering over them will reveal an explanatory transcriber's note. +Hyphenation of the word 'antebellum' has been regularized +(ante-bellum → antebellum), and several spelling and punctuation irregularies between the +index and the main text have been corrected without note. +Several alphabetization errors in the index were also corrected. All other +spelling and punctuation is as it appeared in the original.</p> + +<p>Two identical footnotes on pages 42-43 have been merged into one (<a href="#Footnote_16_16">Footnote 16</a>).</p> + +<p>The Table of Contents did not appear in the original—it has been added by the transcriber.</p> +</div> + +<div class="clearbox"> +<h1>NEGRO FOLK RHYMES</h1> +</div> + +<div class="clearbox"> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;"> +<img src="images/prntmk1.png" width="200" height="70" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="pubsinfo">THE MACMILLAN COMPANY</p> + +<p class="pubsinfo">NEW YORK · BOSTON · CHICAGO · DALLAS<br /> +ATLANTA · SAN FRANCISCO</p> + +<p class="pubsinfo">MACMILLAN & CO., <span class="smcap">Limited</span></p> + +<p class="pubsinfo">LONDON · BOMBAY · CALCUTTA<br /> +MELBOURNE</p> + +<p class="pubsinfo">THE MACMILLAN CO. OF CANADA, <span class="smcap">Ltd.</span></p> + +<p class="pubsinfo">TORONTO</p> +</div> + +<div class="clearbox"> +<h1><span class="smcap">Negro Folk Rhymes</span><br /> +<span class="subtitle">Wise and Otherwise</span></h1> + +<p class="center">WITH A STUDY</p> + +<p class="center"><small>BY</small><br /> +<big>THOMAS W. TALLEY</big>,<br /> +<small>OF FISK UNIVERSITY</small></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 113px;"> +<img src="images/tpquills.png" width="113" height="190" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="center">New York<br /> +THE MACMILLAN COMPANY<br /> +1922</p> + +<p class="center"><small><i>All rights reserved</i></small></p> +</div> + +<div class="clearbox-sm"> +<p class="center">PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA</p> +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1922,<br /> +By THE MACMILLAN COMPANY.</span><br /><br /></p> + +<p class="tpline"> </p> + +<p class="center">Set up and printed. Published January, 1922.</p> + +<p class="center">Press of<br /> +J. J. Little & Ives Company<br /> +New York, U. S. A. +</p> +</div> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Table of Contents"> +<tr><td></td><td align="right"><small>PAGE</small></td></tr> +<tr><td><small>INTRODUCTION</small></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_v">v</a></td></tr> +<tr><td><small>PART I: NEGRO FOLK RHYMES</small></td><td align="right"><a href="#Part_I">1</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Dance Rhyme Section</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Dance Rhyme Song Section</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_14">14</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Play Rhyme Section</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_73">73</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Pastime Rhyme Section</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_93">93</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Love Rhyme Section</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_127">127</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Love Song Rhyme Section</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_131">131</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Courtship Rhyme Section</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_135">135</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Courtship Song Rhyme Section</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_141">141</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Marriage Rhyme Section</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_143">143</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Married Life Rhyme Section</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_144">144</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Nursery Rhyme Section</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_149">149</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Wise Saying Section</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_207">207</a></td></tr> +<tr><td>Foreign Section</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_216">216</a></td></tr> +<tr><td><small>PART II: A STUDY IN NEGRO FOLK RHYMES</small></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_228">228</a></td></tr> +<tr><td><small>GENERAL INDEX</small></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_327">327</a></td></tr> +<tr><td><small>COMPARATIVE STUDY INDEX</small></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_337">337</a></td></tr> +</table> + +<p><!-- Page v --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</a></span></p> +<h2>INTRODUCTION</h2> + +<p>Of the making of books by individual authors there is no end; but a +cultivated literary taste among the exceptional few has rendered almost +impossible the production of genuine folk-songs. The spectacle, +therefore, of a homogeneous throng of partly civilized people dancing to +the music of crude instruments and evolving out of dance-rhythm a +lyrical or narrative utterance in poetic form is sufficiently rare in +the nineteenth century to challenge immediate attention. In <i>Negro Folk +Rhymes</i> is to be found no inconsiderable part of the musical and poetic +life-records of a people; the compiler presents an arresting volume +which, in addition to being a pioneer and practically unique in its +field, is as nearly exhaustive as a sympathetic understanding of the +Negro mind, careful research, and labor of love can make it. Professor +Talley of Fisk University has spared himself no pains in collecting and +piecing together every attainable scrap and fragment of secular rhyme +which might help in adequately interpreting the inner life of his own +people.</p> + +<p><!-- Page vi --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</a></span></p><p>Being the expression of a race in, or just emerging from bondage, these +songs may at first seem to some readers trivial and almost wholly devoid +of literary merit. In phraseology they may appear crude, lacking in that +elegance and finish ordinarily associated with poetic excellence; in +imagery they are at times exceedingly winter-starved, mediocre, common, +drab, scarcely ever rising above the unhappy environment of the singers. +The outlook upon life and nature is, for the most part, one of +imaginative simplicity and child-like naïveté; superstitions crowd in +upon a worldly wisdom that is elementary, practical, and obvious; and a +warped and crooked human nature, developed and fostered by +circumstances, shows frequently through the lines. What else might be +expected? At the time when these rhymes were in process of being created +the conditions under which the American Negro lived and labored were not +calculated to inspire him with a desire for the highest artistic +expression. Restricted, cramped, bound in unwilling servitude, he looked +about him in his miserable little world to see whatever of the beautiful +or happy he might find; that which he discovered is pathetically slight, +but, such as it is, it served to keep alive his stunted artist-soul +under the most adverse circumstances. <!-- Page vii --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</a></span>He saw the sweet pinks under a +blue sky, or observed the fading violets and the roses that fall, as he +passed to a tryst under the oak trees of a forest, and wrought these +things into his songs of love and tenderness. Friendless and otherwise +without companionship he lived in imagination with the beasts and birds +of the great out-of-doors; he knew personally Mr. Coon, Brother Rabbit, +Mr. 'Possum and their associates of the wild; Judge Buzzard and Sister +Turkey appealed to his fancy as offering material for what he supposed +to be poetic treatment. Wherever he might find anything in his lowly +position which seemed to him truly useful or beautiful, he seized upon +it and wove about it the sweetest song he could sing. The result is not +so much poetry of a high order as a valuable illustration of the +persistence of artist-impulses even in slavery.</p> + +<p>In some of these folk-songs, however, may be found certain qualities +which give them dignity and worth. They are, when properly presented, +rhythmical to the point of perfection. I myself have heard many of them +chanted with and without the accompaniment of clapping hands, stamping +feet, and swaying bodies. Unfortunately a large part of their liquid +melody and flexibility of movement is lost through confinement in cold +print; but when<!-- Page viii --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[Pg viii]</a></span> +they are heard from a distance on quiet summer nights +or clear Southern mornings, even the most fastidious ear is satisfied +with the rhythmic pulse of them. That pathos of the Negro character +which can never be quite adequately caught in words or transcribed in +music is then augmented and intensified by the peculiar quality of the +Negro voice, rich in overtones, quavering, weird, cadenced, throbbing +with the sufferings of a race. Or perhaps that well-developed sense of +humor which has, for more than a century, made ancestral sorrows +bearable finds fuller expression in the lilting turn of a note than in +the flashes of wit which abundantly enliven the pages of this volume. +There is one lyric in particular which, in evident sincerity of feeling, +simple and unaffected grace, and regularity of form, appeals to me as +having intrinsic literary value:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">She hug' me, an' she kiss' me,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She wrung my han' an' cried.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She said I wus de sweetes' thing<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat ever lived or died.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">She hug' me an' she kiss' me.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh Heaben! De touch o' her han'!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She said I wus de puttiest thing<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In de shape o' mortal man.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page ix --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[Pg ix]</a></span><span class="i0">I told her dat I love' her,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat my love wus bed-cord strong;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den I axed her w'en she'd have me,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' she jes' say, "Go 'long!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>There is also a dramatic quality about many of these rhymes which must +not be overlooked. It has long been my observation that the Negro is +possessed by nature of considerable, though not as yet highly developed, +histrionic ability; he takes delight in acting out in pantomime whatever +he may be relating in song or story. It is not surprising, then, to find +that the play-rhymes, originating from the "call" and "response," are +really little dramas when presented in their proper settings. "Caught By +The Witch" would not be ineffective if, on a dark night, it were acted +in the vicinity of a graveyard! And one ballad—if I may be permitted to +dignify it by that name—called "Promises of Freedom" is characterized +by an unadorned narrative style and a dramatic ending which are +associated with the best English folk-ballads. The singer tells simply +and, one feels, with a grim impersonality of how his mistress promised +to set him free; it seemed as if she would never die—but "she's somehow +gone"! His master likewise made promises,</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page x --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x">[Pg x]</a></span><span class="i0">Yes, my ole Mosser promise' me;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But "his papers" didn't leave me free.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A dose of pizen he'pped 'im along.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">May de Devil preach 'is + <ins class="correction" title="original reads: funer'l">fūner'l</ins> song.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The manner of this conclusion is strikingly like that of the Scottish +ballad, "Edward,"</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The curse of hell frae me sall ye beir,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Mither, Mither,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The curse of hell frae me sall ye beir,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sic counseils ye gave to me O.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>In both a story of cruelty is suggested in a single artistic line and +ended with startling, dramatic abruptness.</p> + +<p>In fact, these two songs probably had their ultimate origin in not +widely dissimilar types of illiterate, unsophisticated human society. +Professor Talley's "Study in Negro Folk Rhymes," appended to this volume +of songs, is illuminating. One may not be disposed to accept without +considerable modification his theories entire; still his account from +personal, first-hand knowledge of the beginnings and possible evolution +of certain rhymes in this collection is apparently authentic. Here we +have again, in the nineteenth century, the record of a singing, dancing +people creating by a process<!-- Page xi --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xi" id="Page_xi">[Pg xi]</a></span> approximating communal authorship a mass +of verse embodying tribal memories, ancestral superstitions, and racial +wisdom handed down from generation to generation through oral tradition. +These are genuine folk-songs—lyrics, ballads, rhymes—in which are +crystallized the thought and feeling, the universally shared lore of a +folk. Recent theorizers on poetic origins who would insist upon +individual as opposed to community authorship of certain types of +song-narrative might do well to consider Professor Talley's +characteristic study. And students of comparative literature who love to +recreate the life of a tribe or nation from its song and story will +discover in this collection a mine of interesting material.</p> + +<p>Fisk University, the center of Negro culture in America, is to be +congratulated upon having initiated the gathering and preservation of +these relics, a valuable heritage from the past. Just how important for +literature this heritage may prove to be will not appear until this +institution—and others with like purposes—has fully developed by +cultivation, training, and careful fostering the artistic impulses so +abundantly a part of the Negro character. A race which has produced, +under the most disheartening conditions, a mass of folk-poetry such<!-- Page xii --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xii" id="Page_xii">[Pg xii]</a></span> as +<i>Negro Folk Rhymes</i> may be expected to create with unlimited +opportunities for self-development, a literature and a distinctive music +of superior quality.</p> + +<p class="introsig"> +Walter Clyde Curry.</p> + +<p> +Vanderbilt University,<br /> +September 30, 1921.<br /> +</p> + +<h2><a name="Part_I" id="Part_I"> +PART I<br /> +<br /> +NEGRO FOLK RHYMES</a></h2> + +<p><!-- Page 1 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> + +<h3>Dance Rhyme Section</h3> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>JONAH'S BAND PARTY</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Setch a kickin' up san'! Jonah's Ban'!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Setch a kickin' up san'! Jonah's Ban'!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Han's up sixteen! Circle to de right!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We's gwine to git big eatin's here to-night."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Setch a kickin' up san'! Jonah's Ban'!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Setch a kickin' up san'! Jonah's Ban'!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Raise yo' right foot, kick it up high,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Knock dat <a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a>Mobile Buck in de eye."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Setch a kickin' up san'! Jonah's Ban'!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Setch a kickin' up san'! Jonah's Ban'!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Stan' up, flat foot, <a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a>Jump dem Bars!<br /></span> +<span class="i0"><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a>Karo back'ards lak a train o' kyars."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Setch a kickin' up san'! Jonah's Ban'!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Setch a kickin' up san'! Jonah's Ban'!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Dance 'round, Mistiss, show 'em de p'int;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat Nigger don't know how to <a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a>Coonjaint."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> These are dance steps. For explanation read the Study in +Negro Folk Rhymes.</p></div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 2 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>LOVE IS JUST A THING OF FANCY</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Love is jes a thing o' fancy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Beauty's jes a blossom;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If you wants to git yō' finger bit,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Stick it at a 'possum.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Beauty, it's jes skin deep;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ugly, it's to de bone.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Beauty, it'll jes fade 'way;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But Ugly'll hōl' 'er own.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>STILL WATER CREEK</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'Way down yon'er on Still Water Creek,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I got stalded an' stayed a week.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I see'd Injun Puddin and Punkin pie,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But de black cat stick 'em in de yaller cat's eye.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'Way down yon'er on Still Water Creek,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De Niggers grows up some ten or twelve feet.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey goes to bed but dere hain't no use,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Caze deir feet sticks out fer de chickens t' roost.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I got hongry on Still Water Creek,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De mud to de hub an' de hoss britchin weak.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I stewed bullfrog chitlins, baked polecat pie;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If I goes back dar, I shō's gwine to die.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 3 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>'POSSUM UP THE GUM STUMP</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'Possum up de gum stump,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat raccoon in de holler;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Twis' 'im out, an' git 'im down,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I'll gin you a half a doller.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'Possum up de gum stump,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yes, cooney in de holler;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A pretty gal down my house<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jes as fat as she can waller.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'Possum up de gum stump,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His jaws is black an' dirty;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To come an' kiss you, pretty gal,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'd run lak a gobbler tucky.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'Possum up de gum stump,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A good man's hard to fīn';<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You'd better love me, pretty gal,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You'll git de yudder kīn'.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 4 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>JOE AND MALINDA JANE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ole Joe jes swore upon 'is life<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He'd make Merlindy Jane 'is wife.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">W'en she hear 'im up 'is love an' tell,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She jumped in a bar'l o' mussel shell.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She scrape 'er back till de skin come off.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nex' day she die wid de Whoopin' Cough.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>WALK, TALK, CHICKEN WITH YOUR HEAD PECKED!</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Walk, talk, chicken wid yō' head pecked!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You can crow w'en youse been dead.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Walk, talk, chicken wid yō' head pecked!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You can hōl' high yō' bloody head.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">You's whooped dat Blue Hen's Chicken,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You's beat 'im at his game.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If dere's some fedders on him,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fer dat you's not to blame.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Walk, talk, chicken wid yō' head pecked!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You beat ole Johnny Blue!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Walk, talk, chicken wid yō' head pecked!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Say: "Cock-a-doo-dle-doo—!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 5 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>TAILS</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De coon's got a long ringed bushy tail,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De 'possum's tail is bare;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat rabbit hain't got no tail 'tall,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Cep' a liddle bunch o' hair.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De gobbler's got a big fan tail,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De pattridge's tail is small;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat peacock's tail 's got great big eyes,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But dey don't see nothin' 'tall.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>CAPTAIN DIME</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Cappun Dime is a fine w'ite man.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He wash his face in a fry'n' pan,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He comb his head wid a waggin wheel,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' he die wid de toothache in his heel.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Cappun Dime is a mighty fine feller,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' he shō' play kyards wid de Niggers in de cellar,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But he will git drunk, an' he won't smoke a pipe,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den he will pull de watermillions 'fore dey gits ripe.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 6 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>CROSSING THE RIVER</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I went down to de river an' I couldn' git 'cross.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I jumped on er mule an' I thought 'e wus er hoss.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat mule 'e wa'k in an' git mired up in de san';<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You'd oughter see'd dis Nigger make back fer de lan'!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I want to cross de river but I caint git 'cross;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So I mounted on a ram, fer I thought 'e wus er hoss.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I plunged him in, but he sorter fail to swim;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I give five dollars fer to git 'im out ag'in.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Yes, I went down to de river an' I couldn' git 'cross,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So I give a whole dollar fer a ole blin' hoss;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den I souzed him in an' he sink 'stead o' swim.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Do you know I got wet clean to my ole hat brim?<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>T-U-TURKEY</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">T-u, tucky, T-u, ti.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">T-u, tucky, buzzard's eye.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">T-u, tucky, T-u, ting.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">T-u, tucky, buzzard's wing.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh, Mistah Washin'ton! Don't whoop me,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whoop dat Nigger Back 'hind dat tree.<br /></span> +<!-- Page 7 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span><span class="i0">He stole tucky, I didn' steal none.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Go wuk him in de co'n field jes fer fun.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>CHICKEN IN THE BREAD TRAY</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Auntie, will yō' dog bite?"—<br /></span> +<span class="i2">"No, Chile! No!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Chicken in de bread tray<br /></span> +<span class="i2">A makin' up dough.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Auntie, will yō' broom hit?"—<br /></span> +<span class="i2">"Yes, Chile!" Pop!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Chicken in de bread tray;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">"Flop! Flop! Flop!"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Auntie, will yō' oven bake?"—<br /></span> +<span class="i2">"Yes. Jes fry!"—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"What's dat chicken good fer?"—<br /></span> +<span class="i2">"Pie! Pie! Pie!"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Auntie, is yō' pie good?"—<br /></span> +<span class="i2">"Good as you could 'spec'."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Chicken in de bread tray;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">"Peck! Peck! Peck!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 8 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>MOLLY COTTONTAIL, OR, GRAVEYARD RABBIT</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ole Molly Cottontail,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">At night, w'en de moon's pale;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You don't fail to tu'n tail,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You always gives me leg bail.<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a><br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Molly in de Bramble-brier,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Let me git a little nigher;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Prickly-pear, it sting lak fire!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Do please come pick out de brier!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Molly in de pale moonlight,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yō' tail is shō a pretty white;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You takes it fer 'way out'n sight.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Molly! Molly! Molly Bright!"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ole Molly Cottontail,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You sets up on a rotten rail!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You tears through de graveyard!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You makes dem ugly <a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a>hants wail.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ole Molly Cottontail,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Won't you be shore not to fail<br /></span> +<span class="i0"><a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a>To give me yō' right hīn' foot?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My luck, it won't be fer sale.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> Leg bail = to run away.</p></div> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> Hants = ghosts or spirits.</p></div> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> This embraces the old superstition that carrying in +one's pocket the right hind foot of a rabbit, which has +habitually lived about a cemetery, brings good luck to its +possessor.</p></div> +</div> + +<p><!-- Page 9 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5><a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a> +<a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a>JUBA</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Juba dis, an' Juba dat,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Juba <a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a>skin dat Yaller Cat. Juba! Juba!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Juba jump an' Juba sing.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Juba, <a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a>cut dat Pigeon's Wing. Juba! Juba!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Juba, kick off Juba's shoe.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Juba, dance dat <a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a>Jubal Jew. Juba! Juba!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Juba, whirl dat foot about.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Juba, blow dat candle out. Juba! Juba!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Juba circle, <a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a>Raise de Latch.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Juba do dat <a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a>Long Dog Scratch. Juba! Juba!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> This peculiar kind of dance rhyme is explained in the Study +in Negro Folk Rhymes.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"> +<span class="label">[6]</span></a> The expressions +<ins class="correction" title="original reads: marked ‡">marked [6]</ins> are various kinds of dance +steps.</p></div> +</div> + +<p><!-- Page 10 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>ON TOP OF THE POT</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Wild goose gallop an' gander trot;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Walk about, Mistiss, on top o' de pot!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Hog jowl bilin', an' tunnup greens hot,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Walk about, Billie, on top o' de pot!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Chitlins, hog years, all on de spot,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Walk about, ladies, on top o' de pot!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5><a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> +STAND BACK, BLACK MAN</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Oh!</i><br /></span> +<span class="i2">Stan' back, black man,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">You cain't shine;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Yō' lips is too thick,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An' you hain't my kīn'.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 11 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> +<span class="i0"><i>Aw!</i><br /></span> +<span class="i2">Git 'way, black man,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">You jes haint fine;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">I'se done quit foolin'<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Wid de nappy-headed kind.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Say?</i><br /></span> +<span class="i2">Stan' back, black man!<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Cain't you see<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Dat a kinky-headed chap<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Hain't nothin' side o' me?<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> In a few places in the South, just following the Civil War, +the Mulattoes organized themselves into a little guild known as "The +Blue Vein Circle," from which those who were black were excluded. This +is one of their rhymes.</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>NEGROES NEVER DIE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Nigger! Nigger never die!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He gits choked on Chicken pie.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Black face, white shiny eye. Nigger! Nigger!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Nigger! Nigger never knows!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Mashed nose, an' crooked toes;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat's de way de Nigger goes. Nigger! Nigger!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Nigger! Nigger always sing;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jump up, cut de Pidgeon's wing;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whirl, an' give his feet a fling. Nigger! Nigger!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 12 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>JAWBONE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Samson, shout! Samson, moan!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Samson, bring on yō' Jawbone.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Jawbone, walk! Jawbone, talk!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jawbone, eat wid a knife an fo'k.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Walk, Jawbone! Jinny, come alon'!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yon'er goes Sally wid de bootees on.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Jawbone, ring! Jawbone, sing!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jawbone, kill dat wicked thing.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>INDIAN FLEA</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Injun flea, bit my knee;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Kaze I wouldn' drink ginger tea.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Flea bite hard, flea bite quick;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Flea bite burn lak dat seed tick.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Hit dat flea, flea not dere.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se so mad I pulls my hair.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I go wild an' fall in de creek.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To wash 'im off, I'd stay a week.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 13 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>AS I WENT TO SHILOH</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">As I went down<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To Shiloh Town;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I rolled my barrel of Sogrum down.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dem lasses rolled;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' de hoops, dey bust;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' blowed dis Nigger clear to Thundergust!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>JUMP JIM CROW</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Git fus upon yō' heel,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' den upon yō' toe;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An ebry time you tu'n 'round,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You jump Jim Crow.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Now fall upon yō' knees,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jump up an' bow low;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' ebry time you tu'n 'round,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You jump Jim Crow.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Put yō' han's upon yō' hips,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Bow low to yō' beau;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' ebry time you tu'n 'round,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You jump Jim Crow.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 14 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span></p> + +<h3>Dance Rhyme Song Section</h3> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> +<img src="images/jaybird.png" width="450" height="480" alt="Jaybird Musical Notation" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="center"><a href="music/029-jaybird.midi">[Listen]</a></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>JAYBIRD</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De Jaybird jump from lim' to lim',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' he tell Br'er Rabbit to do lak him.<br /></span> +<!-- Page 15 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span><span class="i0">Br'er Rabbit say to de cunnin' elf:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"You jes want me to fall an' kill myself."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dat Jaybird a-settin' on a swingin' lim'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He wink at me an' I wink at him.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He laugh at me w'en my gun "crack."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It kick me down on de flat o' my back.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Nex' day de Jaybird dance dat lim'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I grabs my gun fer to shoot at him.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">W'en I "crack" down, it split my chin.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Ole Aggie Cunjer" fly lak sin.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Way down yon'er at de risin' sun,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jaybird a-talkin' wid a forked tongue.<br /></span> +<span class="i0"><a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a>He's been down dar whar de bad mens dwell.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Ole Friday Devil," fare—you—well!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> A superstition. For explanation, see Study in Negro Folk +Rhymes.</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>OFF FROM RICHMOND</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I'se off from Richmon' sooner in de mornin'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se off from Richmon' befō' de break o' day.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I slips off from Mosser widout pass an' warnin'<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fer I mus' see my Donie wharever she may stay.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 16 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>HE IS MY HORSE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">One day as I wus a-ridin' by,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Said dey: "Ole man, yō' hoss will die"—<br /></span> +<span class="i2">"If he dies, he is my loss;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An' if he lives, he is my hoss."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Nex' day w'en I come a-ridin' by,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey said: "Ole man, yō' hoss may die."—<br /></span> +<span class="i2">"If he dies, I'll tan 'is skin;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An' if he lives, I'll ride 'im ag'in."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Den ag'in w'en I come a-ridin' by,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Said dey: "Ole man, yō' hoss mought die."—<br /></span> +<span class="i2">"If he dies, I'll eat his co'n;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An' if he lives, I'll ride 'im on."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5><a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> +JUDGE BUZZARD</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dere sets Jedge Buzzard on de Bench.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Go tu'n him off wid a monkey wrench!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jedge Buzzard try Br'er Rabbit's case;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' he say Br'er Tarepin win dat race.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Here sets Jedge Buzzard on de Bench.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Knock him off wid dat monkey wrench!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"> +<span class="label">[9]</span></a> See Study in Negro Rhymes for explanation.</p></div> +</div> + +<p><!-- Page 17 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>SHEEP AND GOAT</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Sheep an' goat gwine to de paster;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Says de goat to de sheep: "Cain't you walk a liddle faster?"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De sheep says: "I cain't, I'se a liddle too full."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den de goat say: "You can wid my ho'ns in yō' wool."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">But de goat fall down an' skin 'is shin<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' de sheep split 'is lip wid a big broad grin.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>JACKSON, PUT THAT KETTLE ON!</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Jackson, put dat kittle on!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fire, steam dat coffee done!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Day done broke, an' I got to run<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fer to meet my gal by de risin' sun.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">My ole Mosser say to me,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat I mus' drink <a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a>sassfac tea;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But Jackson stews dat coffee done,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' he shō' gits his po'tion: Son!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> Sassfac = sassafras.</p></div> +</div> + +<p><!-- Page 18 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>DINAH'S DINNER HORN</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">It's a cōl', frosty mornin',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' de Niggers goes to wo'k;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wid deir axes on deir shoulders,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' widout a bit o' <a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a>shu't.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dey's got ole husky ashcake,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Widout a bit o' fat;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' de white folks'll grumble,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If you eats much o' dat.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I runs down to de henhouse,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I falls upon my knees;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It's 'nough to make a rabbit laugh<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To hear my tucky sneeze.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I grows up on dem meatskins,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I comes down on a bone;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I hits dat co'n bread fifty licks,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I makes dat butter moan.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">It's glory in yō' honor!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' don't you want to go?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I sholy will be ready<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fer dat dinnah ho'n to blow.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 19 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span><span class="i0">Dat ole bell, it goes "Bangity—bang!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fer all dem white folks bo'n.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But I'se not ready fer to go<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Till Dinah blows her ho'n.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Poke—sallid!" "Poke—sallid!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat ole ho'n up an' blow.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jes think about dem good ole greens!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Say? Don't you want to go?<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> Shu't = shirt.</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>MY MULE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Las' Saddy mornin' Mosser said:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Jump up now, Sambo, out'n bed.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Go saddle dat mule, an' go to town;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' bring home Mistiss' mornin' gown."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I saddled dat mule to go to town.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I mounted up an' he buck'd me down.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den I jumped up from out'n de dust,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I rid him till I thought he'd bust.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 20 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>BULLFROG PUT ON THE SOLDIER CLOTHES</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Bullfrog put on de soldier clo's.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He went down yonder fer to shoot at de crows;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wid a knife an' a fo'k between 'is toes,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' a white hankcher fer to wipe 'is nose.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Bullfrog put on de soldier clo's.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He's a "dead shore shot," gwineter kill dem <ins class="correction" title="original had close quote after crows.">crows.</ins><br /></span> +<span class="i0">He takes "Pot," an' "Skillet" from de Fiddler's Ball.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey're to dance a liddle jig while Jim Crow fall.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Bullfrog put on de soldier clo's.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He went down de river fer to shoot at de crows.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De powder flash, an' de crows fly 'way;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' de Bullfrog shoot at 'em all nex' day.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>SAIL AWAY, LADIES!</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Sail away, ladies! Sail away!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sail away, ladies! Sail away!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nev' min' what dem white folks say,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">May de Mighty bless you. Sail away!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 21 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span><span class="i0">Nev' min' what yō' daddy say,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Shake yō' liddle foot an' fly away.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nev' min' if yō' mammy say:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"De Devil'll git you." Sail away!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THE BANJO PICKING</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Hush boys! Hush boys! Don't make a noise,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">While ole Mosser's sleepin'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We'll run down de Graveyard, an' take out de bones,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' have a liddle Banjer pickin'.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I takes my Banjer on a Sunday mornin'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dem ladies, dey 'vites me to come.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We slips down de hill an' picks de liddle chune:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Walk, Tom Wilson Here Afternoon."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a>"Walk Tom Wilson Here Afternoon";<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"You Cain't Dance Lak ole Zipp Coon."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Pick <a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a>"Dinah's Dinner Ho'n" "Dance 'Round de Room."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Sweep dat Kittle Wid a Bran' New Broom."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> +Those <ins class="correction" title="original reads: starred">marked [12]</ins> are found elsewhere in this volume. We were +unable to obtain the other three.</p></div> +</div> + +<p><!-- Page 22 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>OLD MOLLY HARE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ole Molly har'!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">What's you doin' thar?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"I'se settin' in de fence corner, smokin' seegyar."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ole Molly har'!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">What's you doin' thar?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"I'se pickin' out a br'or, settin' on a Pricky-p'ar."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ole Molly har'!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">What's you doin' thar?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"I'se gwine cross de Cotton Patch, hard as I can t'ar."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Molly har' to-day,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So dey all say,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Got her pipe o' clay, jes to smoke de time 'way.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"De dogs say 'boo!'<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' dey barks too,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I hain't got no time fer to talk to you."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 23 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span></p> + +<h5>ONE NEGRO TUNE USED WITH "AN OPOSSUM HUNT"</h5> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> +<img src="images/opossum.png" width="450" height="397" alt="An Opossum Hunt Musical Notation" title="" /> +</div> +<p class="center"><a href="music/038-opossum.midi">[Listen]</a></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>AN OPOSSUM HUNT</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'Possum meat is good an' sweet,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I always finds it good to eat.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My dog tree, I went to see.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A great big 'possum up dat tree.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I retch up an' pull him in,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den dat ole 'possum 'gin to grin.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 24 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span><span class="i0">I tuck him home an' dressed him off,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat night I laid him in de fros'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De way I cooked dat 'possum sound,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I fust parboiled, den baked him brown.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I put sweet taters in de pan,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Twus de bigges' eatin' in de lan'.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>DEVILISH PIGS</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I wish I had a load o' poles,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To fence my new-groun' lot;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To keep dem liddle bitsy debblish pigs<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Frum a-rootin' up all I'se got.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dey roots my cabbage, roots my co'n;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey roots up all my beans.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey speilt my fine sweet-tater patch,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' dey ruint my tunnup greens.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I'se rund dem pigs, an' I'se rund dem pigs.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se gittin' mighty hot;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' one dese days w'en nobody look,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey'll root 'round in my pot.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 25 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>PROMISES OF FREEDOM</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">My ole Mistiss promise me,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">W'en she died, she'd set me free.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She lived so long dat 'er head got bal',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' she give out'n de notion a dyin' at all.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">My ole Mistiss say to me:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Sambo, I'se gwine ter set you free."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But w'en dat head git slick an' bal',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De Lawd couldn' a' killed 'er wid a big green maul.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">My ole Mistiss never die,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wid 'er nose all hooked an' skin all dry.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But my ole Miss, she's somehow gone,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' she lef' "Uncle Sambo" a-hillin' up co'n.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ole Mosser lakwise promise me,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">W'en he died, he'd set me free.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But ole Mosser go an' make his Will<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fer to leave me a-plowin' ole Beck still.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 26 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span><span class="i0">Yes, my ole Mosser promise me;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But "his papers" didn' leave me free.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A dose of pizen he'ped 'im along.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">May de Devil preach 'is fūner'l song.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>WHEN MY WIFE DIES</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">W'en my wife dies, gwineter git me anudder one;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A big fat yaller one, jes lak de yudder one.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'll hate mighty bad, w'en she's been gone.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hain't no better 'oman never nowhars been bo'n.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">W'en I comes to die, you mus'n' bury me deep,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But put Sogrum molasses close by my feet.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Put a pone o' co'n bread way down in my han'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Gwineter sop on de way to de Promus' Lan'.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">W'en I goes to die, Nobody mus'n' cry,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Mus'n' dress up in black, fer I mought come back.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But w'en I'se been dead, an' almos' fergotten;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You mought think about me an' keep on a-trottin'.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Railly, w'en I'se been dead, you needn' bury me at tall.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You mought pickle my bones down in alkihall;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den fold my han's "so," right across my breas';<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' go an' tell de folks I'se done gone to "res'."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 27 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span></p> + +<h5>ONE TUNE USED WITH "BAA! BAA! BLACK SHEEP!"</h5> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> +<img src="images/blacksheep.png" width="450" height="452" alt="Baa Baa Black Sheep Musical Notation" title="" /> +</div> +<p class="center"><a href="music/042-blacksheep.midi">[Listen]</a></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>BAA! BAA! BLACK SHEEP</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Baa! Baa! Black Sheep,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Has you got wool?"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Yes, good Mosser,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Free bags full.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">One fer ole Mistis,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">One fer Miss Dame,<br /></span> +<!-- Page 28 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span><span class="i0">An' one fer de good Nigger<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jes across de lane."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Pōōr liddle Black Sheep,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Pōōr liddle lammy;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Pōōr liddle Black Sheep's<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Got no mammy.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>HE WILL GET MR. COON</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ole Mistah Coon, at de break o' day,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You needn' think youse gwineter git 'way.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Caze ole man Ned, he know how to run,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' he's shō' gone fer to git 'is gun.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">You needn' clam to dat highes' lim',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You cain't git out'n de retch o' him.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You can stay up dar till de sun done set.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'll bet you a dollar dat he'll git you yet.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ole Mistah Coon, you'd well's to give up.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You had well's to give up, I say.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Caze ole man Ned is straight atter you,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' he'll git you shō' this day.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 29 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>BRING ON YOUR HOT CORN</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Bring along yō' hot co'n,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Bring along yō' col' co'n;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But I say bring along,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Bring along yō' <a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a>Jimmy-john.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Some loves de hot co'n,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Some loves de col' co'n;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But I loves, I loves,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I loves dat Jimmy-john.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> Jimmy-john = a whiskey jug.</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THE LITTLE ROOSTER</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I had a liddle rooster,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He crowed befō' day.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Long come a big owl,<br /></span> +<span class="i0"><ins class="correction" title="original reads: 'An">An'</ins> toted him away.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">But de rooster fight hard,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' de owl let him go.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Now all de pretty hens<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wants dat rooster fer deir beau.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 30 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>SUGAR IN COFFEE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Sheep's in de meader a-mowin' o' de hay.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De honey's in de bee-gum, so dey all say.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My head's up an' I'se boun' to go.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Who'll take sugar in de coffee-o?<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I'se de prettiest liddle gal in de county-o.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My mammy an' daddy, dey bofe say so.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I looks in de glass, it don't say, "No";<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So I'll take sugar in de coffee-o.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5><a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a> +THE TURTLE'S SONG</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Mud turkle settin' on de end of a log,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A-watchin' of a tadpole a-turnin' to a frog.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He sees Br'er B'ar a-pullin' lak a mule.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He sees Br'er Tearpin a-makin' him a fool.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Br'er B'ar pull de rope an' he puff an' he blow;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But he cain't git de Tearpin out'n de water from below.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat big clay root is a-holdin' dat rope,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Br'er Tearpin's got 'im fooled, an' dere hain't no hope.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 31 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> +<span class="i0">Mud turkle settin' <ins class="correction" title="original reads: one">on</ins> de end o' dat log;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sing fer de tadpole a-turnin' to a frog,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sing to Br'er B'ar a-pullin' lak a mule,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sing to Br'er Tearpin a-makin' 'im a fool:—<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Oh, Br'er Rabbit! Yō' eyes mighty big!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Yes, Br'er Turkle! Dey're made fer to see."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Oh, Br'er Tearpin! Yō' house mighty cu'ous!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Yes, Br'er Turkle, but it jest suits me."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Oh, Br'er B'ar! You pulls mighty stout."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Yes, Br'er Turkle! Dat's right smart said!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Right, Br'er B'ar! Dat sounds bully good,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But you'd oughter git a liddle mō' pull in de head."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> For explanation see Study in Negro Folk Rhymes.</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>RACCOON AND OPOSSUM FIGHT</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De raccoon an' de 'possum<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Under de hill a-fightin';<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Rabbit almos' bust his sides<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Laughin' at de bitin'.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 32 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span><span class="i0">De raccoon claw de 'possum<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Along de ribs an' head;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Possum tumble over an' grin,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Playin' lak he been dead.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>COTTON EYED JOE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Hol' my fiddle an' hol' my bow,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whilst I knocks ole Cotton Eyed Joe.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I'd a been dead some seben years ago,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If I hadn' a danced dat Cotton Eyed Joe.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oh, it makes dem ladies love me so,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">W'en I comes 'roun' pickin' ole Cotton Eyed Joe!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Yes, I'd a been married some forty year ago,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If I hadn' stay'd 'roun' wid Cotton Eyed Joe.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I hain't seed ole Joe, since way las' Fall;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey say he's been sol' down to Guinea Gall.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 33 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>RABBIT SOUP</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Rabbit soup! Rabbit sop!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Rabbit e't my tunnup top.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Rabbit hop, rabbit jump,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Rabbit hide behin' dat stump.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Rabbit stop, twelve o'clock,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Killed dat rabbit wid a rock.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Rabbit's mine. Rabbit's skin'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dress 'im off an' take 'im in.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Rabbit's on! Dance an' whoop!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Makin' a pot o' rabbit soup!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>OLD GRAY MINK</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I once did think dat I would sink,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But you know I wus dat ole gray mink.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dat ole gray mink jes couldn' die,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">W'en he thought about good chicken pie.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">He swum dat creek above de mill,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' he's killing an' eatin' chicken still.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 34 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>RUN, NIGGER, RUN!</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Run, Nigger, run! De <a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a>Patter-rollers'll ketch you.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Run, Nigger, run! It's almos' day.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dat Nigger run'd, dat Nigger flew,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat Nigger tore his shu't in two.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">All over dem woods and frou de paster,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dem Patter-rollers shot; but de Nigger git faster,<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oh, dat Nigger whirl'd, dat Nigger wheel'd,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat Nigger tore up de whole co'n field.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> Patrollers, or white guards; on duty at night during the +days of slavery; whose duty it was to see that slaves without permission +to go, stayed at home.</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>SHAKE THE PERSIMMONS DOWN</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De raccoon up in de 'simmon tree.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat 'possum on de groun'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De 'possum say to de raccoon: "Suh!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Please shake dem 'simmons down."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 35 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span><span class="i0">De raccoon say to de 'possum: "Suh!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">(As he grin from down below),<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"If you wants dese good 'simmons, man,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jes clam up whar dey grow."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THE COW NEEDS A TAIL IN FLY-TIME</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dat ole black sow, she can root in de mud,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She can tumble an' roll in de slime;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But dat big red cow, she git all mired up,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So dat cow need a tail in fly-time.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dat ole gray hoss, wid 'is ole bob tail,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You mought buy all 'is ribs fer a dime;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But dat ole gray hoss can git a kiver on,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whilst de cow need a tail in fly-time.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dat Nigger Overseer, dat's a-ridin' on a mule,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Cain't make hisse'f white lak de lime;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Mosser mought take 'im down fer a notch or two,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den de cow'd need a tail in fly-time.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 36 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>JAYBIRD DIED WITH THE WHOOPING COUGH</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De Jaybird died wid de Whoopin' Cough,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De Sparrer died wid de colic;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Long come de Red-bird, skippin' 'round,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sayin': "Boys, git ready fer de Frolic!"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De Jaybird died wid de Whoopin' Cough,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De Bluebird died wid de Measles;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Long come a Nigger wid a fiddle on his back,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Vitin' Crows fer to dance wid de Weasels.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dat Mockin'-bird, he romp an' sing;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat ole Gray Goose come prancin'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat Thrasher stuff his mouf wid plums,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den he caper on down to de dancin'.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dey hopped it low, an' dey hopped it high;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey hopped it to, an' dey hopped it by;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey hopped it fer, an' dey hopped it nigh;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat fiddle an' bow jes make 'em fly.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 37 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>WANTED! CORNBREAD AND COON</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I'se gwine now a-huntin' to ketch a big fat coon.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Gwineter bring him home, an' bake him, an' eat him wid a spoon.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Gwineter baste him up wid gravy, an' add some onions too.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se gwineter shet de Niggers out, an' stuff myse'f clean through.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I wants a piece o' hoecake; I wants a piece o' bread,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I wants a piece o' Johnnycake as big as my ole head.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I wants a piece o' ash cake: I wants dat big fat coon!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I shō' won't git hongry 'fore de middle o' nex' June.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>LITTLE RED HEN</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">My liddle red hen, wid a liddle white foot,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Done built her nes' in a huckleberry root.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She lay mō' aigs dan a flock on a fahm.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Anudder liddle drink wouldn' do us no harm.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 38 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span><span class="i0">My liddle red hen hatch fifty red chicks<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In dat liddle ole nes' of huckleberry sticks.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wid one mō' drink, ev'y chick'll make two!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Come, bring it on, Honey, an' let's git through.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>RATION DAY</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dat ration day come once a week,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ole Mosser's rich as Gundy;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But he gives us 'lasses all de week,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' buttermilk fer Sund'y.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ole Mosser give me a pound o' meat.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I e't it all on Mond'y;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den I e't 'is 'lasses all de <ins class="correction" title="original reads: week.">week,</ins><br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' buttermilk fer Sund'y.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ole Mosser give me a peck o' meal,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I fed and cotch my tucky;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But I e't dem 'lasses all de week,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' buttermilk fer Sund'y.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oh laugh an' sing an' don't git tired.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We's all gwine home, some Mond'y,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To de honey ponds an' fritter trees;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' ev'ry day'll be Sund'y.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 39 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>MY FIDDLE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">If my ole fiddle wus jes in chune,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She'd bring me a dollar ev'y Friday night in June.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">W'en my ole fiddle is fixed up right,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She bring me a dollar in nearly ev'y night.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">W'en my ole fiddle begin to sing,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She make de whole plantation ring.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She bring me in a dollar an' sometime mō'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hurrah fer my ole fiddle an' bow!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>DIE IN THE PIG-PEN FIGHTING</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dat ole sow said to de barrer:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"I'll tell you w'at let's do:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Let's go an' git dat broad-axe<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And die in de pig-pen too."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Die in de pig-pen fightin'!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yes, die, die in de wah!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Die in de pig-pen fightin',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yes, die wid a bitin' jaw!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 40 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>MASTER IS SIX FEET ONE WAY</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Mosser is six foot one way, an' free foot tudder;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' he weigh five hunderd pound.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Britches cut so big dat dey don't suit de tailor,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' dey don't meet half way 'round.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Mosser's coat come back to a claw-hammer p'int.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">(Speak sof' or his Bloodhound'll bite us.)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His long white stockin's mighty clean an' nice,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But a liddle mō' holier dan righteous.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>FOX AND GEESE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Br'er Fox wa'k out one moonshiny night,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He say to hisse'f w'at he's a gwineter do.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He say, "I'se gwineter have a good piece o' meat,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Befō' I leaves dis townyoo.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dis townyoo, dis townyoo!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yes, befō' I leaves dis townyoo!"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 41 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span><span class="i0">Ole mammy Sopentater jump up out'n bed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' she poke her head outside o' de dō'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She say: "Ole man, my gander's gone.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I heared 'im w'en he holler 'quinny-quanio,'<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Quinny-quanio, quinny-quanio!'<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yes, I heared 'im w'en he holler 'quinny-quanio.'"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>GOOSEBERRY WINE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i1">Now 'umble Uncle Steben,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">I wonders whar youse gwine?<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Don't never tu'n yō' back, Suh,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">On dat good ole gooseberry wine!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i1">Oh walk chalk, Ginger Blue!<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Git over double trouble.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">You needn' min' de wedder<br /></span> +<span class="i1">So's de win' don't blow you double.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Now!</i><br /></span> +<span class="i1">Uncle Mack! Uncle Mack!<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Did you ever see de lak?<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Dat good ole sweet gooseberry wine<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Call Uncle Steben back.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 42 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>I'D RATHER BE A NEGRO THAN A POOR WHITE MAN</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i3">My name's Ran, I wuks in de san';<br /></span> +<span class="i3">But I'd druther be a Nigger dan a pō' white man.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i3">Gwineter hitch my oxes side by side,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">An' take my gal fer a big fine ride.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i3">Gwineter take my gal to de country stō';<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Gwineter dress her up in red calico.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i3">You take Kate, an' I'll take Joe.<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Den off we'll go to de pahty-o.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i3">Gwineter take my gal to de Hullabaloo,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Whar dere hain't no <a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a>Crackers in a mile or two.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Interlocution</i>:<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i3">(Fiddler) "Oh, Sal! Whar's de milk strainer cloth?"<br /></span> +<!-- Page 43 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span></div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i3">(Banjo Picker) "Bill's got it wropped 'round his ole sore leg."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i3">(Fiddler) "Well, take it down to de gum spring an' give it a cold water +rench; I 'spizes nastness anyway. I'se got to have a clean cloth fer de milk."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i3">He don't lak whisky but he jest drinks a can.<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Honey! I'd druther be a Nigger dan a pō' white man.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i3">I'd druther be a Nigger, an' plow ole Beck<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Dan a white <a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a>Hill Billy wid his long red neck.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> Names applied by Negroes to the poorer class of white +people in the South.</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THE HUNTING CAMP</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Sam got up one mornin'<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A mighty big fros'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Saw "A louse, in de huntin' camp<br /></span> +<span class="i0">As big as any hoss!"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 44 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span><span class="i0">Sam run 'way down de mountain;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But w'en Mosser got dar,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He swore it twusn't nothin'<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But a big black b'ar.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THE ARK</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ole Nora had a lots o' hands<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A clearin' new ground patches.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He said he's gwineter build a Ark,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' put tar on de hatches.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">He had a sassy Mo'gan hoss<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' gobs of big fat cattle;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' he driv' em all aboard de Ark,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">W'en he hear de thunder rattle.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">An' den de river riz so fas'<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat it bust de levee railin's.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De lion got his dander up,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' he lak to a broke de palin's.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">An' on dat Ark wus daddy Ham;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No udder Nigger on dat packet.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He soon got tired o' de Barber Shop,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Caze he couln' stan' de racket.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 45 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span><span class="i0">An' den jes to amuse hisse'f,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He steamed a board an' bent it, Son.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat way he got a banjer up,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fer ole Ham's de fust to make one.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dey danced dat Ark from ēen to ēen,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ole Nora called de Figgers.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ole Ham, he sot an' knocked de chunes,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De happiest of de Niggers.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>GRAY AND BLACK HORSES</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I went down to de woods an' I couldn' go 'cross,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So I paid five dollars fer an ole gray hoss.<br /></span> +<span class="i0"><ins class="correction" title="this line was indented in the original">De hoss wouldn' pull, so I sōl' 'im fer a bull.</ins><br /></span> +<span class="i0">De bull wouldn' holler, so I sōl' 'im fer a dollar.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De dollar wouldn' pass, so I throwed it in de grass.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den de grass wouldn' grow. Heigho! Heigho!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Through dat huckleberry woods I couldn' git far,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So I paid a good dollar fer an ole black mar'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">W'en I got down dar, de trees wouldn' bar;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So I had to gallop back on dat ole black mar'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Bookitie-bar!" Dat ole black mar'; "Bookitie-bar!" Dat ole black mar'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yes she trabble so hard dat she jolt off my ha'r.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 46 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>RATTLER</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Go call ole Rattler from de bo'n.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Here Rattler! Here!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He'll drive de cows out'n de co'n,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Here Rattler! Here!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Rattler is my huntin' dog.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Here Rattler! Here!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He's good fer rabbit, good fer hog,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Here Rattler! Here!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">He's good fer 'possum in de dew.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Here Rattler! Here!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sometimes he gits a chicken, too.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Here Rattler! Here!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>BROTHER BEN AND SISTER SAL</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ole Br'er Ben's a mighty good ole man,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He don't steal chickens lak he useter.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He went down de chicken roos' las' Friday night,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' tuck off a dominicker rooster.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 47 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span><span class="i0">Dere's ole Sis Sal, she climbs right well,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But she cain't 'gin to climb lak she useter.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So yonder she sets a shellin' out co'n<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To Mammy's ole bob-tailed rooster.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Yes, ole Sis Sal's a mighty fine ole gal,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She's shō' extra good an' clever.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She's done tuck a notion all her own,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat she hain't gwineter marry never.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ole Sis Sal's got a foot so big,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat she cain't wear no shoes an' gaiters.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So all she want is some red calico,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' dem big yaller yam sweet taters.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Now looky, looky here! Now looky, looky there!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jes looky!—Looky 'way over yonder!—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Don't you see dat ole gray goose<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A-smilin' at de gander?<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>SIMON SLICK'S MULE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dere wus a liddle kickin' man,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His name wus Simon Slick.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He had a mule wid cherry eyes.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh, how dat mule could kick!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 48 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span><span class="i0">An', Suh, w'en you go up to him,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He shet one eye an' smile;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den 'e telegram 'is foot to you,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' sen' you half a mile!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>NOBODY LOOKING</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Well: I look dis a way, an' I look dat a way,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An' I heared a mighty rumblin'.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">W'en I come to find out, 'twus dad's black sow,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">A-rootin' an' a-grumblin'.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Den: I slipped away down to de big White House.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Miss Sallie, she done gone 'way.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">I popped myse'f in de rockin' chear,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An' I rocked myse'f all day.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Now: I looked dis a way, an' I looked dat a way,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An' I didn' see nobody in here.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">I jes run'd my head in de coffee pot,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An' I drink'd up all o' de beer.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 49 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>HOECAKE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">If you wants to bake a hoecake,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To bake it good an' done;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jes' slap it on a Nigger's heel,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' hol' it to de sun.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dat snake, he bake a hoecake,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' sot de toad to mind it;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat toad he up an' go to sleep,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' a lizard slip an' find it!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">My mammy baked a hoecake,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">As big as Alabamer.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She throwed it 'g'inst a Nigger's head<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' it ring jes' lak a hammer.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De way you bakes a hoecake,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In de ole Virginy 'tire;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You wrops it 'round a Nigger's heel,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' hōl's it to de fire.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 50 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>I WENT DOWN THE ROAD</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i3">I went down de road,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">I went in a whoop;<br /></span> +<span class="i3">An' I met Aunt Dinah<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Wid a chicken pot o' soup.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sing: "I went away from dar; hook-a-doo-dle, hook-a-doo-dle."<br /></span> +<span class="i2">"I went away from dar; hook-a-doo-dle-doo!"<br /></span> +<span class="i3">I drunk up dat soup,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">An' I let her go by;<br /></span> +<span class="i3">An' I tōl' her nex' time<br /></span> +<span class="i3">To bring Missus' pot pie.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sing: "Oh far'-you-well; hook-a-doo-dle, hook-a-doo-dle;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Oh far'-you-well, an' a hook-a-doo-dle-doo!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THE OLD HEN CACKLED</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De ole hen she cackled,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' stayed down in de bo'n.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She git fat an' sassy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A-eatin' up de co'n.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 51 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span><span class="i0">De ole hen she cackled,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Git great long yaller laigs.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She swaller down de oats,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But I don't git no aigs.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De ole hen she cackled,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She cackled in de lot,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De nex' time she cackled,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She cackled in de pot.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>I LOVE SOMEBODY</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I loves somebody, yes, I do;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I wants somebody to love me too.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wid my chyart an' oxes stan'in' 'roun',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Her pretty liddle foot needn' tetch de groun'.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I loves somebody, yes, I do,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat randsome, handsome, Stickamastew.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wid her reddingoat an' waterfall,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She's de pretty liddle gal dat beats 'em all.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 52 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>WE ARE "ALL THE GO"</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Yes! We's "All-de-go," boys; we's "All-de-go."<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Me an' my Lulu gal's "All-de-go."<br /></span> +<span class="i3">I jes' loves my sweet pretty liddle Lulu Ann,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">But de way she gits my money I cain't hardly understan'.<br /></span> +<span class="i4">W'en she up an' call me "Honey!" I fergits my name is Sam,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">An' I hain't got one nickel lef' to git a me a dram.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Still: We's "All-de-go," boys; we's "All-de-go."<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Me an' my Lulu gal's "All-de-go."<br /></span> +<span class="i3">She's always gwine a-fishin', w'en she'd oughter not to go;<br /></span> +<span class="i4">An' now she's all a troubled wid de frostes an' de snow.<br /></span> +<span class="i4">I tells you jes one thing dat I'se done gone an' foun':<br /></span> +<span class="i4">De Nigs cain't git no livin' 'round de Cō't House steps an' town.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 53 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>AUNT DINAH DRUNK</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ole Aunt Dinah, she got drunk.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She fell in de fire, an' she kicked up a chunk.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dem embers got in Aunt Dinah's shoe,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' dat black Nigger shō' got up an' flew.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I likes Aunt Dinah mighty, mighty well,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But dere's jes' one thing I hates an' 'spize:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She drinks mō' whisky dan de bigges' fool,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den she up an' tell ten thousand lies.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Yes, I won't git drunk an' kick up a chunk.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">I won't git drunk an' kick up a chunk.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">I won't git drunk an' kick up a chunk,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">'Way down on de ole Plank Road.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Oh shoo my Love! My turkle dove.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Oh shoo my Love! My turkle dove.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Oh shoo my Love! My turkle dove.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">'Way down on de ole Plank Road.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 54 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THE OLD WOMAN IN THE HILLS</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Once: Dere wus an ole 'oman<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Dat lived in de hills;<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Put rocks in 'er stockin's,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">An' sent 'em to mill.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Den: De ole miller swore,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">By de pint o' his knife;<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Dat he never had ground up<br /></span> +<span class="i3">No rocks in his life.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">So: De ole 'oman said<br /></span> +<span class="i3">To dat miller nex' day:<br /></span> +<span class="i3">"You railly must 'scuse me,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">It's de onliest way."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i3">"I heared you made meal,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">A-grindin' on stones.<br /></span> +<span class="i3">I mus' 'ave heared wrong,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">It mus' 'ave been bones."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 55 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>A SICK WIFE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Las' Sadday night my wife tuck sick,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' what d'you reckon ail her?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She e't a tucky gobbler's head<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' her stomach, it jes' fail her.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">She squall out: "Sam, bring me some mint!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Make catnip up an' sage tea!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I goes an' gits her all dem things,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But she throw 'em back right to me.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Says I: "Dear Honey! Mind nex' time!"<br /></span> +<span class="i3">"Don't eat from 'A to Izzard'"<br /></span> +<span class="i3">"I thinks you won' git sick at all,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">If you saves pō' me de gizzard."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>MY WONDERFUL TRAVEL</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">I come down from ole Virginny,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">'Twas on a Summer day;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">De wedder was all frez up,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">'An' I skeeted all de way!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 56 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> +<span class="i0"><i>Interlocution</i>:<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">Hand my banjer down to play,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Wanter pick fer dese ladies right away;<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">"W'en dey went to bed,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Dey couldn' shet deir eyes,"<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An' "Dey was stan'in' on deir heads,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">A-pickin' up de pies."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5><a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a> +<a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a> +I WOULD NOT MARRY A BLACK GIRL</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I wouldn' marry a black gal,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'll tell you de reason why:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When she goes to comb dat head<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De naps'll 'gin to fly.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I wouldn' marry a black gal,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'll tell you why I won't:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When she'd oughter wash her face—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Well, I'll jes say she don't.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I woudn' marry a black gal,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' dis is why I say:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When you has her face around,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It never gits good day.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> For discussion see Study in Negro Folk Rhymes.</p></div> +</div> + +<p><!-- Page 57 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>HARVEST SONG</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Las' year wus a good crap year,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' we raised beans an' 'maters.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We didn' make much cotton an' co'n;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But, Goodness Life, de taters!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">You can plow dat ole gray hoss,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se gwineter plow dat mulie;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' w'en we's geddered in de craps,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se gwine down to see Julie.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I hain't gwineter wo'k on de railroad.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I hates to wo'k on de fahm.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I jes wants to set in de cool shade,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wid my head on my Julie's ahm.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">You swing Lou, an' I'll swing Sue.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dere hain't no diffunce 'tween dese two.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You swing Lou, I'll swing my beau;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se gwineter buy my gal red calico.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 58 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>YEAR OF JUBILEE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Niggers, has you seed ole Mosser;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">(Red mustache on his face.)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A-gwine 'roun' sometime dis mawnin',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Spectin' to leave de place?<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Nigger Hands all runnin' 'way,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Looks lak we mought git free!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It mus' be now de <a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a>Kingdom Come<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In de Year o' Jubilee.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oh, yon'er comes ole Mosser<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wid his red mustache all white!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It mus' be now de Kingdom Come<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sometime to-morrer night.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Yanks locked him in de smokehouse cellar,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De key's throwed in de well:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It shō' mus' be de Kingdom Come.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Go ring dat Nigger field-bell!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> Kingdom Come = Freedom.</p></div> +</div> + +<p><!-- Page 59 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>SHEEP SHELL CORN</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Oh</i>: De Ram blow de ho'n an' de sheep shell co'n;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An' he sen' it to de mill by de buck-eyed Whippoorwill.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Ole Joe's dead an' gone but his <a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a>Hant blows de ho'n;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An' his hound howls still from de top o' dat hill.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Yes</i>: De Fish-hawk said unto Mistah Crane;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">"I wishes to de Lawd dat you'd sen' a liddle rain;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Fer de water's all muddy, an de creek's gone dry;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">If it 'twasn't fer de tadpoles we'd all die."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Oh</i>: When de sheep shell co'n wid de rattle of his ho'n<br /></span> +<span class="i2">I wishes to de Lawd I'd never been bo'n;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Caze when de Hant blows de ho'n, de sperits all dance,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An' de hosses an' de cattle, dey whirls 'round an' prance.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 60 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> +<span class="i0"><i>Oh</i>: Yonder comes Skillet an' dere goes Pot;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An' here comes Jawbone 'cross de lot.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Walk Jawbone! Beat de Skillet an' de Pan!<br /></span> +<span class="i2">You cut dat Pigeon's Wing, Black Man!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Now</i>: Take keer, gemmuns, an' let me through;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Caze I'se gwineter dance wid liddle Mollie Lou.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">But I'se never seed de lak since I'se been bo'n,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">When de sheep shell co'n wid de rattle of his ho'n!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> Hant = spirit or ghost.</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>PLASTER</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Chilluns:<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Mammy an' daddy had a hoss,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Dey want a liddle bigger.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Dey sticked a plaster on his back<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An' drawed a liddle Nigger.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Den:<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Mammy an' daddy had a dog,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">His tail wus short an' chunky.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Dey slapped a plaster 'round dat tail,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An' drawed it lak de monkey.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 61 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span><span class="i0">Well:<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Mammy an' daddy's dead an' gone.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Did you ever hear deir story?<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Dey sticked some plasters on deir heels,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An' drawed 'em up to Glory!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>UNCLE NED</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Jes lay down de shovel an' de hoe.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jes hang up de fiddle an' de bow.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No more hard work fer ole man Ned,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fer he's gone whar de good Niggers go.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">He didn' have no years fer to hear,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Didn' have no eyes fer to see,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Didn' have no teeth fer to eat corn cake,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' he had to let de beefsteak be.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dey called 'im "Ole Uncle Ned,"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A long, long time ago.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dere wusn't no wool on de top o' his head<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In de place whar de wool oughter grow.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">When ole man Ned wus dead,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Mosser's tears run down lak rain;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But ole Miss, she wus a liddle sorter glad,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat she wouldn' see de ole Nigger 'gain.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 62 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THE MASTER'S "STOLEN" COAT</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ole Mosser bought a brand new coat,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He hung it on de wall.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat Nigger <a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a>stole dat coat away,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' wore it to de Ball.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">His head look lak a Coffee pot,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His nose look lak de spout,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His mouf look lak de fier place,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wid de ashes all tuck out.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">His face look lak a skillet lid,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His years lak two big kites.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His eyes look lak two big biled aigs,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wid de yallers in de whites.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">His body 'us lak a stuffed toad frog,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His foot look lak a board.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh-oh! He thinks he is so fine,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But he's greener dan a gourd.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> Stole, here, means taken temporarily with intention to +return.</p></div> +</div> + +<p><!-- Page 63 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span></p><p><a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> +I WOULDN'T MARRY A YELLOW OR A WHITE NEGRO GIRL</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I sho' loves dat gal dat dey calls Sally <a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a>"Black,"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I sorter loves some of de res';<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I first loves de gals fer lovin' me,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den I loves myse'f de bes'.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I wouldn' marry dat yaller Nigger gal,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I'll tell you de reason why:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Her neck's drawed out so stringy an' long,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se afeared she 'ould never die.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I wouldn' marry dat White Nigger gal,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">(Fer gracious sakes!) dis is why:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Her nose look lak a kittle spout;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' her skin, it hain't never dry.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> For discussion see Study in Negro Folk Rhymes.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> "Black" here is not the real name. This name is applied +because of the complexion of the girls to whom it was sung.</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>DON'T ASK ME QUESTIONS</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Don't ax me no questions,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I won't tell you no lies;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But bring me dem apples,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I'll make you some pies.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 64 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span><span class="i0">An' if you ax questions,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Bout my havin' de flour;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I fergits to use 'lasses<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' de pie'll be all sour.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dem apples jes wa'k here;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' dem 'lasses, dey run.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hain't no place lak my house<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Found un'er de sun.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THE OLD SECTION BOSS</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I once knowed an ole Sexion Boss but he done been laid low.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I once knowed an ole Sexion Boss but he done been laid low.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He "Caame frum gude ole Ireland some fawhrty year ago."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">W'en I ax 'im fer a job, he say: "Nayger, w'at can yer do?"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">W'en I ax 'im fer a job, he say: "Nayger, w'at can yer do?"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"I can line de track; tote de jack, de pick an' shovel too."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 65 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span><span class="i0">Says he: "Nayger, de railroad's done, an' de chyars is on de track,"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Says he: "Nayger, de railroad's done, an' de chyars is on de track,"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Transportation brung yer here, but yō' money'll take yer back."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I went down to de Deepo, an' my ticket I shō' did draw.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I went down to de Deepo, an' my ticket I shō' did draw.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To take me over dat ole Iron Mountain to de State o' Arkansaw.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">As I went sailin' down de road, I met my mudder-in-law.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I wus so tired an' hongry, man, dat I couldn' wuk my jaw.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fer I hadn't had no decent grub since I lef' ole Arkansaw.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Her bread wus hard corndodgers; dat meat, I couldn' chaw.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Her bread wus hard corndodgers; dat meat, I couldn' chaw.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You see; dat's de way de Hoosiers feeds way out in Arkansaw.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 66 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THE NEGRO AND THE POLICEMAN</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Oh Mistah Policeman, tu'n me loose;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hain't got no money but a good excuse."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh hello, Sarah Jane!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dat ole Policeman treat me mean,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He make me wa'k to Bowlin' Green.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh hello, Sarah Jane!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De way he treat me wus a shame.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He make me wear dat Ball an' Chain.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh hello, Sarah Jane!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I runs to de river, I can't git 'cross;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat Police grab me an' swim lak a hoss.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh hello, Sarah Jane!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I goes up town to git me a gun,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat ole Police shō' make me run.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh hello, Sarah Jane!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I goes crosstown sorter walkin' wid a hump<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' dat ole Police <ins class="correction" title="original reads: sho'">shō'</ins> make me jump.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh hello, Sarah Jane!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Sarah Jane, is dat yō' name?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Us boys, we calls you Sarah Jane.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Well, hello, Sarah Jane!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 67 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>HAM BEATS ALL MEAT</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dem white folks set up in a Dinin' Room<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' dey charve dat mutton an' lam'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De Nigger, he set 'hind de kitchen door,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' he eat up de good sweet ham.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dem white folks, dey set up an' look so fine,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' dey eats dat ole cow meat;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But de Nigger grin an' he don't say much,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Still he know how to git what's sweet.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Deir ginger cakes taste right good sometimes,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' deir Cobblers an' deir jam.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But fer every day an' Sunday too,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jest gimme de good sweet ham.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ham beats all meat,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Always good an' sweet.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ham beats all meat,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se always ready to eat.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You can bake it, bile it, fry it, stew it,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' still it's de good sweet ham.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 68 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>SUZE ANN</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Yes: I loves dat gal wid a blue dress on,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Dat de white folks calls Suze Ann.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">She's jes' dat gal what stole my heart,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">'Way down in Alabam'.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">But: She loves a Nigger about nineteen,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Wid his lips all painted red;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Wid a liddle fuz around his mouf;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An' no brains in his head.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Now: Looky, looky Eas'! Oh, looky, looky Wes'!<br /></span> +<span class="i2">I'se been down to ole Lou'zan';<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Still dat ar gal I loves de bes'<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Is de gal what's named Suze Ann.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Oh, head 'er! Head 'er! Ketch 'er!<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Jump up an' <a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a>"Jubal Jew."<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Fer de Banger Picker's sayin':<br /></span> +<span class="i2">He hain't got nothin' to do.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> Jubal Jew is a kind of dance step.</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>WALK TOM WILSON</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ole Tom Wilson, he had 'im a hoss;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His legs so long he couldn' git 'em 'cross.<!-- Page 69 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span><br /></span> +<span class="i0">He laid up dar lak a bag o' meal,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' he spur him in de flank wid his toenail heel.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ole Tom Wilson, he come an' he go,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Frum cabin to cabin in de county-o.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">W'en he go to bed, his legs hang do'n,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' his foots makes poles fer de chickens t' roost on.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Tom went down to de river, an' he couldn' go 'cross.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Tom tromp on a 'gater an' 'e think 'e wus a hoss.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wid a mouf wide open, 'gater jump from de san',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' dat Nigger look clean down to de Promus' Lan'.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Wa'k Tom Wilson, git out'n de way!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wa'k Tom Wilson, don't wait all de day!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wa'k Tom Wilson, here afternoon;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sweep dat kitchen wid a bran' new broom.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>CHICKEN PIE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">If you wants to make an ole Nigger feel good,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Let me tell you w'at to do:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jes take off a chicken from dat chicken roost,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' take 'im along wid you.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Take a liddle dough to roll 'im up in,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' it'll make you wink yō' eye;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wen dat good smell gits up yō' nose,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Frum dat home-made chicken pie.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 70 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span><span class="i0">Jes go round w'en de night's sorter dark,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' dem chickens, dey can't see.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Be shore dat de bad dog's all tied up,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den slip right close to de tree.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Now retch out <ins class="correction" title="original reads: yo'">yō'</ins> han' an' pull 'im in,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den run lak a William goat;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' if he holler, squeeze 'is neck,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' shove 'im un'er yō' coat.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Bake dat Chicken pie!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It's mighty hard to wait<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When you see dat Chicken pie,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hot, smokin' on de plate.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Bake dat Chicken pie!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yes, put in lots o' spice.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh, how I hopes to Goodness<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat I gits de bigges' slice.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>I AM NOT GOING TO HOBO ANY MORE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">My mammy done tol' me a long time ago<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To always try fer to be a good boy;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To lay on my pallet an' to waller on de flō';<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' to never leave my daddy's house.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I hain't never gwineter hobo no mō'. By George!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I hain't never gwineter hobo no mō'.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 71 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span><span class="i0">Yes, befō' I'd live dat ar hobo life,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'll tell you what I'd jes go an' do:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'd court dat pretty gal an' take 'er fer my wife,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den jes lay 'side dat ar hobo life.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I hain't never gwineter hobo no mō'. By George!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I hain't never gwineter hobo no mō'.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>FORTY-FOUR</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">If de people'll jes gimme<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Des a liddle bit o' peace,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'll tell 'em what happen<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To de Chief o' Perlice.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He met a robber<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Right at de dō'!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' de robber, he shot 'im<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wid a forty-fō'!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He shot dat Perliceman.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He shot 'im shō'!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">What did he shoot 'im wid?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A forty-fō'.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dey sent fer de Doctah<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' de Doctah he come.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He come in a hurry,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He come in a run.<!-- Page 72 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span><br /></span> +<span class="i0">He come wid his instriments<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Right in his han',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To progue an' find<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat forty-fō', Man!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De Doctah he progued;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He progued 'im shō'!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But he jes couldn' find<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat forty-fō'.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dey sent fer de Preachah,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' de preachah he come.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He come in a walk,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' he come in to talk.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He come wid 'is Bible,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Right in 'is han',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' he read from dat chapter,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Forty-fō', Man!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat Preachah, he read.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He read, I know.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">What Chapter did he read frum?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Twus Forty-fō'!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 73 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span></p> + +<h3>Play Rhyme Section</h3> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>BLINDFOLD PLAY CHANT</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oh blin' man! Oh blin' man!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You cain't never see.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Just tu'n 'round three times<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You cain't ketch me.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oh tu'n Eas'! Oh tu'n Wes'!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ketch us if you can.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Did you thought dat you'd cotch us,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Mistah blin' man?<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>FOX AND GEESE PLAY</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a>(Fox <i>Call</i>) "Fox in de mawnin'!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">(Goose <i>Sponse</i>) "Goose in de evenin'!"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">(Fox <i>Call</i>) "How many geese you got?"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">(Goose <i>Sponse</i>) "More 'an you're able to ketch!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> For explanation of "call," and "sponse," see Study in +Negro Folk Rhymes.</p></div> +</div> + +<p><!-- Page 74 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>HAWK AND CHICKENS PLAY</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a> +<a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a>(Chicken's <i>Call</i>) +<ins class="correction" title="original had extra close quote after 'Chickamee'">"Chickamee</ins>, chickamee, cranie-crow."<br /></span> +<span class="i8">I went to de well to wash my toe.<br /></span> +<span class="i8">W'en I come back, my chicken wus gone.<br /></span> +<span class="i8">W'at time, ole Witch?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">(Hawk <i>Sponse</i>) "One"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">(Hawk <i>Call</i>) "I wants a chick."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">(Chicken's <i>Sponse</i>) "Well, you cain't git mine."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">(Hawk <i>Call</i>) "I shall have a chick!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">(Chicken's <i>Sponse</i>) "You shan't have a chick!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> For explanation of "call," and "sponse," see Study in +Negro Folk Rhymes.</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>CAUGHT BY THE WITCH PLAY</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">(Human <i>Call</i>) "Molly, Molly, Molly-bright!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">(Witch <i>Sponse</i>) "Three scō' an' ten!"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">(Human <i>Call</i>) "Can we git dar 'fore candle-light?"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">(Witch <i>Sponse</i>) "Yes, if yō' legs is long an' light."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">(Conscience's Warning <i>Call</i>) "You'd better watch out,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Or de witches'll git yer!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 75 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5><a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a> +<a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a> +GOOSIE-GANDER PLAY RHYME</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Goosie, goosie, goosie-gander!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">What d'you say?"—"Say: 'Goose!'"—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Ve'y well, go right along, Honey!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I tu'ns yō' years a-loose."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Goosie, goosie, goosie-gander!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">What d'you say?"—"Say: 'Gander'"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Ve'y well. Come in de ring, Honey!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'll pull yō' years way yander!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> For explanation read the Study in Negro Folk Rhymes.</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>HAWK AND BUZZARD</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Once: De Hawk an' de buzzard went to roost,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An' de hawk got up wid a broke off tooth.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Den: De hawk an' de buzzard went to law,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An' de hawk come back wid a broke up jaw.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">But lastly: Dat buzzard tried to plead his case,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Den he went home wid a smashed in face.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 76 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>LIKES AND DISLIKES</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I sho' loves Miss Donie! Oh, yes, I do!<br /></span> +<span class="i3">She's neat in de waist,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Lak a needle in de case;<br /></span> +<span class="i3">An' she suits my taste.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I'se gwineter run wid Mollie Roalin'! Oh, yes, I will!<br /></span> +<span class="i3">She's pretty an' nice<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Lak a bottle full o' spice,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">But she's done drap me twice.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I don't lak Miss Jane! Oh no, I don't.<br /></span> +<span class="i3">She's fat an' stout,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Got her mouf sticked out,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">An' she laks to pout.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>SUSIE GIRL</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ring 'round, Miss Susie gal,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ring 'round, "My Dovie."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ring 'round, Miss Susie gal.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Bless you! "My Lovie."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 77 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span><span class="i0">Back 'way, Miss Susie gal.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Back 'way, "My Money."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Now come back, Miss Susie gal.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat's right! "My Honey."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Swing me, Miss Susie gal.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Swing me, "My Starlin'."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jes swing me, my Susie gal.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yes "Love!" "My Darlin'."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>SUSAN JANE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I know somebody's got my Lover;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Susan Jane! Susan Jane!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh, cain't you tell me; help me find 'er?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Susan Jane! Susan Jane!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">If I lives to see nex' Fall;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Susan Jane! Susan Jane!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I hain't gwineter sow no wheat at all.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Susan Jane! Susan Jane!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'Way down yon'er in de middle o' de branch;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Susan Jane! Susan Jane!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De ole cow pat an' de buzzards dance.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Susan Jane! Susan Jane!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 78 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>PEEP SQUIRREL</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Peep squir'l, ying-ding-did-lum;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Peep squir'l, it's almos' day,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Look squir'l, ying-ding-did-lum,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Look squir'l, an' run away.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Walk squir'l, ying-ding-did-lum;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Walk squir'l, fer dat's de way.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Skip squir'l, ying-ding-did-lum;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Skip squir'l, all dress in gray.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Run squir'l! Ying-ding-did-lum!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Run squir'l! Oh, run away!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I cotch you squir'l! Ying-ding-did-lum!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I cotch you squir'l! Now stay, I say.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>DID YOU FEED MY COW?</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Did yer feed my cow?" "Yes, Mam!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Will yer tell me how?" "Yes, Mam!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Oh, w'at did yer give 'er?" "Cawn an' hay."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Oh, w'at did yer give 'er?" "Cawn an' hay."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 79 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span><span class="i0">"Did yer milk 'er good?" "Yes, Mam!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Did yer do lak yer should?" "Yes, Mam!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Oh, how did yer milk 'er?" "Swish! Swish! Swish!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Oh, how did yer milk 'er?" "Swish! Swish! Swish!"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Did dat cow git sick?" "Yes, Mam!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Wus she kivered wid tick?" "Yes, Mam!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Oh, how wus she sick?" "All bloated up."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Oh, how wus she sick?" "All bloated up."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Did dat cow die?" "Yes, Mam!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Wid a pain in 'er eye?" "Yes, Mam!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Oh, how did she die?" "Uh-! Uh-! Uh-!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Oh, how did she die?" "Uh-! Uh-! Uh-!"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Did de Buzzards come?" "Yes, Mam!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Fer to pick 'er bone?" "Yes, Mam!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Oh, how did they come?" "Flop! Flop! Flop!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Oh, how did they come?" "Flop! Flop! Flop!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>A BUDGET</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">If I lives to see nex' Spring<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se gwineter buy my wife a big gold ring.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 80 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span><span class="i0">If I lives to see nex' Fall,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se gwinter buy my wife a waterfall.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"When Christmas comes?" You cunnin' elf!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se gwineter spen' my money on myself.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THE OLD BLACK GNATS</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dem ole black gnats, dey is so bad<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I cain't git out'n here.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey stings, an' bites, an' runs me mad;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I cain't git out'n here.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dem ole black gnats dey sings de song,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"You cain't git out'n here.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ole Satan'll git you befō' long;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You cain't git out'n here."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dey burns my years, gits in my eye;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I cain't git out'n here.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey makes me dance, dey makes me cry;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I cain't git out'n here.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I fans an' knocks but dey won't go 'way!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I cain't git out'n here.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey makes me wish 'twus Jedgment Day;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fer I cain't git out'n here.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 81 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>SUGAR LOAF TEA</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Bring through yō' <a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a>Sugar-lō'-tea, bring through yō' <a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a>Candy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">All I want is to wheel, an' tu'n, an' bow to my Love so handy.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">You tu'n here on Sugar-lō'-tea, I'll tu'n there on Candy.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">All I want is to wheel, an' tu'n, an' bow to my Love so handy.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Some gits drunk on Sugar-lō'-tea, some gits drunk on Candy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But all I wants is to wheel, an' tu'n, an' bow to my Love so handy.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> Nicknames applied in imagination to the women engaged in +playing in the Play Song.</p></div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>GREEN OAK TREE! ROCKY'O</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Green oak tree! Rocky'o! Green oak tree! Rocky'o!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Call dat one you loves, who it may be,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To come an' set by de side o' me.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Will you hug 'im once an' kiss 'im twice?"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"W'y! I wouldn' kiss 'im once fer to save 'is life!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Green oak tree! Rocky'o! Green oak tree! Rocky'o!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 82 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>KISSING SONG</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">A sleish o' bread an' butter fried,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Is good enough fer yō' sweet Bride.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Now choose yō' Lover, w'ile we sing,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' call 'er nex' onto de ring.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Oh my Love, how I loves you!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nothin' 's in dis worl' above you.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dis right han', fersake it never.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dis heart, you mus' keep forever.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">One sweet kiss, I now takes from you;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Caze I'se gwine away to leave you."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>KNEEL ON THIS CARPET</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Jes choose yō' Eas'; jes choose yō' Wes'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Now choose de one you loves de bes'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If she hain't here to take 'er part<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Choose some one else wid all yō' heart.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Down on dis chyarpet you mus' kneel,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Shore as de grass grows in de fiel'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Salute yō' Bride, an' kiss her sweet,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' den rise up upon yō' feet.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 83 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>SALT RISING BREAD</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I loves saltin', saltin' bread.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I loves saltin', saltin' bread.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Put on dat skillet, nev' mind de lead;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Caze I'se gwineter cook dat saltin' bread;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yes, ever since my mammy's been dead,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se been makin' an' cookin' dat saltin' bread.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I loves saltin', saltin' bread.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I loves saltin', saltin' bread.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You loves biscuit, butter, an' fat?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I can dance Shiloh better 'an dat.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Does you turn 'round an' shake yō' head?—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Well; I loves saltin', saltin' bread.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I loves saltin', saltin' bread.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I loves saltin', saltin' bread.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">W'en you ax yō' mammy fer butter an' bread,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She don't give nothin' but a stick across yō' head.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">On cracklin's, you say, you wants to git fed?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Well, I loves saltin', saltin' bread.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 84 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>PRECIOUS THINGS</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Hol' my rooster, hōl' my hen,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Pray don't tetch my <a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a>Gooshen Ben'.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Hol' my bonnet, hōl' my shawl,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Pray don't tetch my waterfall.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Hōl' my han's by de finger tips,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But pray don't tetch my sweet liddle lips.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> Grecian Bend.</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>HE LOVES SUGAR AND TEA</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Mistah Buster, he loves sugar an' tea.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Mistah Buster, he loves candy.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Mistah Buster, he's a Jim-dandy!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He can swing dem gals so handy.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Charlie's up an' Charlie's down.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Charlie's fine an' dandy.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ev'ry time he goes to town,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He gits dem gals stick candy.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dat Niggah, he love sugar an' tea.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat Niggah love dat candy.<!-- Page 85 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span><br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fine Niggah! He can wheel 'em 'round,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' swing dem ladies handy.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Mistah Sambo, he love sugar an' tea.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Mistah Sambo love his candy.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Mistah Sambo; he's dat han'some man<br /></span> +<span class="i0">What goes wid sister Mandy.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>HERE COMES A YOUNG MAN COURTING</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Here comes a young man a courtin'! Courtin'! Courtin'!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Here comes a young man a-courtin'! It's Tidlum Tidelum Day.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Say! Won't you have one o' us? Us, Sir? Us, Sir?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Say! Won't you have one o' us, Sir?" dem brown skin ladies say.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"You is too black an' rusty! Rusty! Rusty!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You is too black an' rusty!" said Tidlum Tidelum Day.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"We hain't no blacker 'an you, Sir! You, Sir! You, Sir!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We hain't no blacker 'an you, Sir!" dem brown skin ladies say.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 86 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span><span class="i0">"Pray! Won't you have one o' us, Sir? Us, Sir? Us, Sir?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Pray! Won't you have one o' us, Sir?" say yaller gals all gay.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"You is too ragged an' dirty! Dirty! Dirty!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You is too ragged an' dirty!" said Tidlum Tidelum Day.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"You shore is got de bighead! Bighead! Bighead!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You shore is got de bighead! You needn' come dis way.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We's good enough fer you, Sir! You, Sir! You, Sir!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We's good enough fer you, Sir!" dem yaller gals all say.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"De fairest one dat I can see, dat I can see, dat I can see,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De fairest one dat I can see," said Tidlum Tidelum Day.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"My Lulu, come an' wa'k wid me, wa'k wid me, wa'k wid me.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My Lulu, come an' wa'k wid me. 'Miss Tidlum Tidelum Day.'"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 87 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>ANCHOR LINE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I'se gwine out on de Anchor Line, Dinah!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I won't git back 'fore de summer time, Dinah!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">W'en I come back be "dead in line,"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se gwineter bring you a dollar an' a dime,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Shore as I gits in from de Anchor Line, Dinah!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">If you loves me lak I loves you, Dinah!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No Coon can cut our love in two, Dinah!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If you'll jes come an' go wid me,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Come go wid me to Tennessee,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Come go wid me; I'll set you free,—Dinah!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>SALLIE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Sallie! Sallie! don't you want to marry?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sallie! Sallie! do come an' tarry!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sallie! Sallie! Mammy says to tell her when.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sallie! Sallie! She's gwineter kill dat turkey hen!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Sallie! Sallie! When you goes to marry,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">(<ins class="correction" title="original missing !">Sallie!</ins> Sallie!) Marry a fahmin man(!)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">(Sallie! Sallie!) Ev'ry day'll be Mond'y,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">(Sallie! Sallie!) Wid a hoe-handle in yō' han'!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 88 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5><a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a> +<a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a> +SONG TO THE RUNAWAY SLAVE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Go 'way from dat window, "My Honey, My Love!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Go 'way from dat window! I say.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De baby's in de bed, an' his mammy's lyin' by,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But you cain't git yō' lodgin' here.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Go 'way from dat window, "My Honey, My Love!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Go 'way from dat window! I say;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fer ole Mosser's got 'is gun, an' to Miss'ip' youse been sōl';<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So you cain't git yō' lodgin' here.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Go 'way from dat window, "My Honey, My Love!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Go 'way from dat window! I say.</span><!-- Page 89 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span><br /> +<span class="i0">De baby keeps a-cryin'; but you'd better un'erstan'<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat you cain't git yō' lodgin' here.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Go 'way from dat window, "My Honey, My Love!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Go 'way from dat window! I say;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fer de Devil's in dat man, an' you'd better un'erstan'<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat you cain't git yō' lodgin' here.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> The story went among Negroes that a runaway slave husband +returned every night, and knocked on the window of his wife's cabin to +get food. Other slaves having betrayed the secret that he was still in +the vicinity, he was sold in the woods to a slave trader at reduced +price. This trader was to come next day with bloodhounds to hunt him +down. On the night after the sale, when the runaway slave husband +knocked, the slave wife pinched their baby to make it cry. Then she sang +the above song (as if singing to the baby), so that he might, if +possible, effect his escape.</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>DOWN IN THE LONESOME GARDEN</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Hain't no use to weep, hain't no use to moan;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Down in a lonesome gyardin.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You cain't git no meat widout pickin' up a bone,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Down in a lonesome gyardin.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Look at dat gal! How she puts on airs,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Down in de lonesome gyardin!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But whar did she git dem closes she w'ars,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Down in de lonesome gyardin?<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">It hain't gwineter rain, an' it hain't gwineter snow;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Down in my lonesome gyardin.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You hain't gwinter eat in my kitchen doo',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nor down in my lonesome gyardin.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 90 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>LITTLE SISTER, WON'T YOU MARRY ME?</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Liddle sistah in de barn, jine de weddin'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Youse de sweetest liddle couple dat I ever did see.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh Love! Love! Ahms all 'round me!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Say, liddle sistah, won't you marry me?<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oh step back, gal, an' don't you come a nigh me,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wid all dem sassy words dat you say to me.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh Love! Love! Ahms all 'roun' me!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh liddle sistah, won't you marry me?<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>RAISE A "RUCUS" TO-NIGHT</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Two liddle Niggers all dressed in white, (Raise a rucus to-night.)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Want to go to Heaben on de tail of a kite. (Raise a rucus to-night.)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De kite string broke; dem Niggers fell; (Raise a rucus to-night.)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whar dem Niggers go, I hain't gwineter tell. (Raise a rucus to-night.)<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 91 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span><span class="i0">A Nigger an' a w'ite man a playin' seben up; (Raise a rucus to-night.)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De Nigger beat de w'ite man, but 'ē's skeered to pick it up. (Raise a rucus to-night.)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat Nigger grabbed de money, an' de w'ite man fell. (Raise a rucus to-night.)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">How de Nigger run, I'se not gwineter tell. (Raise a rucus to-night.)<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Look here, Nigger! Let me tell you a naked fac'; (Raise a rucus to-night.)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You mought a been cullud widout bein' dat black; (Raise a rucus to-night.)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dem 'ar feet look lak youse shō' walkin' back; (Raise a rucus to-night.)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' yō' ha'r, it look lak a chyarpet tack. (Raise a rucus to-night.)<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">Oh come 'long, chilluns, come 'long,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">W'ile dat moon are shinin' bright.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Let's git on board, an' float down de river,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An' raise dat rucus to-night.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 92 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>SWEET PINKS AND ROSES</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Sweet pinks an' roses, strawbeers on de vines,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Call in de one you loves, an' kiss 'er if you minds.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Here sets a pretty gal,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Here sets a pretty boy;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Cheeks painted rosy, an' deir eyes battin' black.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You kiss dat pretty gal, an' I'll stan' back.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 93 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span></p> + +<h3>Pastime Rhyme Section</h3> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>SATAN</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De Lawd made man, an' de man made money.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De Lawd made de bees, an' de bees made honey.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De Lawd made ole Satan, an' ole Satan he make sin.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den de Lawd, He make a liddle hole to put ole Satan in.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Did you ever see de Devil, wid his iron handled shovel,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A scrapin' up de san' in his ole tin pan?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He cuts up mighty funny, he steals all yō' money,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He blinds you wid his san'. He's tryin' to git you, man!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>JOHNNY BIGFOOT</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Johnny, Johnny Bigfoot!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Want a pair o' shoes?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Go kick two cows out'n deir skins.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Run Brudder, tell de news!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 94 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THE THRIFTY SLAVE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Jes wuk all day,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den go huntin' in de wood.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ef you cain't ketch nothin',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den you hain't no good.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Don't look at Mosser's chickens,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Caze dey're roostin' high.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Big pig, liddle pig, root hog or die!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>WILD NEGRO BILL</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I'se wild Nigger Bill<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Frum Redpepper Hill.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I never did wo'k, an' I never will.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I'se done killed de Boss.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se knocked down de hoss.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I eats up raw goose widout apple sauce!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I'se Run-a-way Bill,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I knows dey mought kill;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But ole Mosser hain't cotch me, an' he never will!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 95 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>YOU LOVE YOUR GIRL</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">You loves yō' gal?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Well, I loves mine.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yō' gal hain't common?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Well, my gal's fine.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I loves my gal,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She hain't no goose—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Blacker 'an blackberries,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sweeter 'an juice.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>FRIGHTENED AWAY FROM A CHICKEN-ROOST</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I went down to de hen house on my knees,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I thought I heared dat chicken sneeze.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You'd oughter seed dis Nigger a-gittin' 'way frum dere,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But 'twusn't nothin' but a rooster sayin' his prayer.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">How I wish dat rooster's prayer would en',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den perhaps I mought eat dat ole gray hen.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 96 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>BEDBUG</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De June-bug's got de golden wing,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De Lightning-bug de flame;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De Bedbug's got no wing at all,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But he gits dar jes de same.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De Punkin-bug's got a punkin smell,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De Squash-bug smells de wust;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But de puffume of dat ole Bedbug,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It's enough to make you bust.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Wen dat Bedbug come down to my house,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I wants my walkin' cane.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Go git a pot an' scald 'im hot!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Good-by, Miss Lize Jane!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>HOW TO GET TO GLORY LAND</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">If you wants to git to Glory Land,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'll tell you what to do:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jes grease yō' heels wid mutton sue,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">W'en de Devil's atter you.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jes grease yō' heel an' grease yō' han',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' slip 'way—over into Glory Lan'.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 97 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>DESTITUTE FORMER SLAVE OWNERS</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Missus an' Mosser a-walkin' de street,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Deir han's in deir pockets an' nothin' to eat.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She'd better be home a-washin' up de dishes,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' a-cleanin' up de ole man's raggitty britches.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He'd better run 'long an' git out de hoes<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' clear out his own crooked weedy corn rows;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De Kingdom is come, de Niggers is free.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hain't no Nigger slaves in de Year Jubilee.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>FATTENING FROGS FOR SNAKES</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">You needn' sen' my gal hoss apples<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You needn' sen' her 'lasses candy;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She would keer fer de lak o' you,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ef you'd sen' her apple brandy.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">W'y don't you git some common sense?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jes git a liddle! Oh fer land sakes!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Quit yō' foolin', she hain't studyin' you!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Youse jes fattenin' frogs fer snakes!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 98 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THE MULE'S KICK</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Is dis me, or not me,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Or is de Devil got me?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wus dat a muskit shot me?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Is I laid here more'n a week?—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat ole mule do kick amazin',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I 'spec's he's now a-grazin'<br /></span> +<span class="i0">On de t'other side de creek.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>CHRISTMAS TURKEY</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I prayed to de Lawd fer tucky-o.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat tucky wouldn' come.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I prayed, an' I prayed 'til I'se almos' daid.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No tucky at my home.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Chrismus Day, she almos' here;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My wife, she mighty mad.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She want dat tucky mo' an' mo'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' she want 'im mighty bad.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I prayed 'til de scales come on my knees,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' still no tucky come.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I tuck myse'f to my tucky roos',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I brung my tucky home.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 99 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>A FULL POCKETBOOK</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De goose at de barn, he feel mighty funny,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Caze de duck find a pocketbook chug full o' money.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De goose say: "Whar is you gwine, my Sonny?"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' de duck, he say: "Now good-by, Honey."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De duck chaw terbacker an' de goose drink wine,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wid a stuffed pocketbook dey shō' had a good time;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De grasshopper played de fiddle on a punkin vine<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Till dey all fall over on a sorter dead line.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>NO ROOM TO POKE FUN</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Nev' mīn' if my nose are flat,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' my face are black an' sooty;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De Jaybird hain't so big in song,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' de Bullfrog hain't no beauty.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>CROOKED NOSE JANE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I courted a gal down de lane.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Her name, it wus Crooked Nose Jane.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Her face wus white speckled, her lips wus all red,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' she look jes as lean as a weasel half-fed.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 100 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>BAD FEATURES</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Blue gums an' black eyes;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Run 'round an' tell lies.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Liddle head, liddle wit;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Big long head, not a bit.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Wid his long crooked toes,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' his heel right roun';<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat flat-footed Nigger<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Make a hole in de groun'.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>MISS SLIPPY SLOPPY</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ole Miss Slippy Sloppy jump up out'n bed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den out'n de winder she poke 'er nappy head,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Jack! O Jack! De gray goose's dead.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat fox done gone an' bit off 'er head!"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Jack run up de hill an' he call Mosser's hounds;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' w'en dat fox hear dem turble sounds,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He sw'ar by his head an' his hide all 'round,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat he don't want no dinner, but a hole in de ground.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 101 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>HOW TO MAKE IT RAIN</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Go kill dat snake an' hang him high,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den tu'n his belly to de sky.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De storm an' rain'll come bye an' bye.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>A WIND-BAG</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">A nigger come a-struttin' up to me las' night;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In his han' wus a walkin' cane,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He tipped his hat an' give a low bow;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Howdy-doo! Miss Lize Jane!"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">But I didn' ax him how he done,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Which make a hint good pinned,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat I'd druther have a paper bag,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When it's sumpin' to be filled up wid wind.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>GOING TO BE GOOD SLAVES</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ole Mosser an' Missus has gone down to town,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey said dey'd git us somethin' an' dat hain't no jokes.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se gwineter be good all de whilst dey're all 'way,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I'se gwineter wear stockin's jes lak de white folks.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 102 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5><a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a> +<a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a>PAGE'S GEESE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ole man Page'll be in a turble rage,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">W'en he find out, it'll raise his dander.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yankee soldiers bought his geese, fer one cent a-piece,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' sent de pay home by de gander.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> The Northern soldiers during the Civil War took all of a +Southern planter's geese except one lone gander. They put one penny, for +each goose taken, into a small bag and tied this bag around the gander's +neck. They then sent him home to his owner with the pay of one penny for +each goose taken. The Negroes of the community at once made up this +little song.</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>TO WIN A YELLOW GIRL</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">If you wants to win a yaller gal,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I tell you what you do;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You "borrow" Mosser's Beaver hat,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' slip on his Long-tailed Blue.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>SEX LAUGH</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">You'se heared a many a gal laugh,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' say: "He! He-he! He-he-he!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But you hain't heared no boy laugh,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' say: "She! She-she! She-she-she!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 103 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>OUTRUNNING THE DEVIL</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I went upon de mountain,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I seed de Devil comin'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I retched an' got my hat an' coat,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I beat de Devil runnin'.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">As I run'd down across de fiel',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A rattlesnake bit me on de heel.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I rears an' pitches an' does my bes',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I falls right back in a hornet's nes'.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">For w'en I wus a sinnah man,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I rund by leaps an' boun's.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I wus afeard de Devil 'ould ketch me<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wid his ole three legged houn's.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">But now I'se come a Christun,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I kneels right down an' prays,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' den de Devil runs from me—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se tried dem other ways.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 104 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>HOW TO KEEP OR KILL THE DEVIL</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">If you wants to see de Devil smile,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Simpully do lak his own chile.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">If you wants to see de Devil git spunk,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Swallow whisky, an' git drunk.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">If you wants to see de Devil live,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Cuss an' swar an' never give.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">If you wants to see de Devil run,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jes tu'n a loose de Gospel gun.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">If you wants to see de Devil fall,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hit him wid de Gospel ball.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">If you wants to see de Devil beg,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nail him wid a Gospel peg.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">If you wants to see de Devil sick,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Beat him wid a Gospel stick.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">If you wants to see de Devil die,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Feed him up on Gospel pie.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">But de Devil w'ars dat iron shoe,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' if you don't watch, he'll slip it on you.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 105 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>JOHN HENRY</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">John Henry, he wus a steel-drivin' man.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He died wid his hammer in his han'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">O come long boys, an' line up de track,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For John Henry, he hain't never comin' back.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">John Henry said to his Cappun: "Boss,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A man hain't nothin' but a man,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' 'fore I'll be beat in dis sexion gang,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'll die wid a hammer in my han'."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">John Henry, he had a liddle boy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He helt 'im in de pam of his han';<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' de las' word he say to dat chile wus:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"I wants you to be my steel-drivin' man."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">John Henry, he had a pretty liddle wife,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' her name, it wus Polly Ann.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She walk down de track, widout lookin' back,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For to see her big fine steel-drivin' man.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">John Henry had dat pretty liddle wife,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' she went all dress up in red.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She walk ev'y day down de railroad track<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To de place whar her steel-drivin' man fell dead.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 106 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5><a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a> +<a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a>THE NASHVILLE LADIES</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dem Nashville ladies dress up fine.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Got longpail hoopskirts hanging down behīn'!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Got deir bonnets to deir shoulders an' deir noses in de sky!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Big pig! Liddle pig! Root hog, or die!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> The name of the place was used where the rhyme was +repeated.</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THE RASCAL</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I'se de bigges' rascal fer my age.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I now speaks from dis public stage.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se stole a cow; I'se stole a calf,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' dat hain't more 'an jes 'bout half.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Yes, Mosser!—Lover of my soul!—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"How many chickens has I stole?"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Well; three las' night, an' two night befo';<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I'se gwine 'fore long to git four mō'.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">But you see dat hones' Billy Ben,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He done e't more dan erry three men.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He e't a ham, den e't a side;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He would a e't mō', but you know he died.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 107 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>COFFEE GROWS ON WHITE FOLKS' TREES</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Coffee grows on w'ite folks' trees,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But de Nigger can git dat w'en he please.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De w'ite folks loves deir milk an' brandy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But dat black gal's sweeter dan 'lasses candy.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Coffee grows on w'ite folks trees,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' dere's a river dat runs wid milk an' brandy.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De rocks is broke an' filled wid gold,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So dat yaller gal loves dat high-hat dandy.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>AUNT JEMIMA</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ole Aunt Jemima grow so tall,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat she couldn' see de groun'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She stumped her toe, an' down she fell<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From de Blackwoods clean to town.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">W'en Aunt Jemima git in town,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' see dem "tony" ways,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She natchully faint an' back she fell<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To de Backwoods whar she stays.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 108 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THE MULE'S NATURE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">If you sees a mule tied up to a tree,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You mought pull his tail an' think about me.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For if a Nigger don't know de natcher of a mule,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It makes no diffunce what 'comes of a fool.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>I'M A "ROUND-TOWN" GENTLEMAN</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I hain't no wagon, hain't no dray,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jes come to town wid a load o' hay.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I hain't no cornfield to go to bed<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wid a lot o' hay-seeds in my head.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se a "round-town" Gent an' I don't choose<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To wuk in de mud, an' do widout shoes.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THIS SUN IS HOT</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dis sun are hot,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dis hoe are heavy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dis grass grow furder dan I can reach;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' as I looks<br /></span> +<span class="i0">At dis Cotton fiel',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I thinks I mus' 'a' been called to preach.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 109 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>UNCLE JERRY FANTS</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Has you heared 'bout Uncle Jerry Fants?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He's got on some cu'ious shapes.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He's de one what w'ars dem white duck pants,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' he sot down on a bunch o' grapes.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>KEPT BUSY</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Jes as soon as de sun go down,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My True-love's on my min'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' jes as soon as de daylight breaks<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De white folks is got me a gwine.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">She's de sweetes' thing in town;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' when I sees dat Nig,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She make my heart go "pitty-pat,"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' my head go "whirly-gig."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>CROSSING A FOOT-LOG</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Me an' my wife an' my bobtail dog<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Start 'cross de creek on a hick'ry log.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We all fall in an' git good wet,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But I helt to my liddle brown jug, you bet!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 110 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>WATERMELON PREFERRED</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dat hambone an' chicken are sweet.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat 'possum meat are sholy fine.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But give me,—now don't you cheat!—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">(Oh, I jes wish you would give me!)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat watermillion, smilin' on de vine.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>"THEY STEAL" GOSSIP</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>You know:</i><br /></span> +<span class="i2">Some folks say dat a Nigger won't steal,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">But Mosser cotch six in a watermillion fiel';<br /></span> +<span class="i2">A-cuttin', an' a-pluggin' an' a-tearin' up de vines,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">A-eatin' all de watermillions, an' a-stackin' up de rinds.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Uh-huh! Yes, I heared dat:</i><br /></span> +<span class="i2">Ole Mosser stole a middlin' o' meat,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Ole Missus stole a ham;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Dey sent 'em bofe to de Wuk-house,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An' dey had to leave de land.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 111 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>FOX AND RABBIT DRINKING PROPOSITIONS</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Fox on de low ground,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Rabbit on de hill.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Says he: "I'll take a drink,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' leave you a gill."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De fox say: "Honey,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">(You sweet liddle elf!)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jes hand me down de whole cup;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I wants it fer myself."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>A TURKEY FUNERAL</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dis tucky once on earth did dwell;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' "Gobble! Gobble! Gobble!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But now he gives me bigges' joy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' rests from all his trouble.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Yes, now he's happy, so am I;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No hankerin' fer a feas':<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Because I'se stuffed wid tucky meat,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' he struts in tucky peace.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 112 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>OUR OLD MULE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">We had an ole mule an' he wouldn' go "gee";<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So I knocked 'im down wid a single-tree.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To daddy dis wus some mighty bad news,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So he made me jump up an' outrun de Jews.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THE COLLEGE OX</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ole Ox! Ole Ox! How'd you come up here?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You'se shō' plowed de cotton fields for many a, many a year.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You'se been kicked an' cuffed about wid heaps an' heaps abuse.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Now! Now, you comes up here fer some sort o' College use.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>CARE IN BREAD-MAKING</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">W'en you sees dat gal o' mine,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jes tell 'er fer me, if you please,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nex' time she goes to make up bread<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To roll up 'er dirty sleeves.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 113 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>WHY LOOK AT ME?</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">What's you lookin' at me fer?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I didn' come here to stay.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I wants dis bug put in yō' years,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' den I'se gwine away.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I'se got milk up in my bucket,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se got butter up in my bowl;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But I hain't got no Sweetheart<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fer to save my soul.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>A SHORT LETTER</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">She writ me a letter<br /></span> +<span class="i0">As long as my eye.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' she say in dat letter:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"My Honey!—Good-by!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>DOES MONEY TALK?</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dem whitefolks say dat money talk.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If it talk lak dey tell,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den ev'ry time it come to Sam,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It up an' say: "Farewell!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 114 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>I'LL EAT WHEN I'M HUNGRY</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I'll eat when I'se hongry,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I'll drink when I'se dry;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' if de whitefolks don't kill me,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'll live till I die.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">In my liddle log cabin,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ever since I'se been born;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dere hain't been no nothin'<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Cept dat hard salt parch corn.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">But I knows whar's a henhouse,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' de tucky he charve;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' if ole Mosser don't kill me,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I cain't never starve.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>HEAR-SAY</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Hello! Br'er Jack. How do you do?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se been a-hearin' a heaps o' things 'bout you.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'll jes declar! It beats de Dickuns!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey's been tryin' to say you's been a-stealin' chickens!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 115 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>NEGRO SOLDIER'S CIVIL WAR CHANT</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ole <a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a>Abe (God bless 'is ole soul!)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Got a plenty good victuals, an' a plenty good clo'es.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Got powder, an' shot, an' lead,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To bust in Adam's liddle Confed'<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In dese hard times.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oh, once dere wus union, an' den dere wus peace;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De slave, in de cornfield, bare up to his knees.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But de Rebel's in gray, an' Sesesh's in de way,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' de slave'll be free<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In dese hard times.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_32_32" id="Footnote_32_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> Abraham Lincoln.</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>PARODY ON "NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP"</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Uh-huh: "Now I lays me down to sleep!"—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">While dead oudles o' bedbugs 'round me creep,—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Well: If dey bites me befō' "I" wake,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I hopes "deir" ole jawbones'll break.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 116 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>I'LL GET YOU, RABBIT!</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Rabbit! Rabbit! You'se got a mighty habit,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A-runnin' through de grass,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Eatin' up my cabbages;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But I'll git you shore at las'.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Rabbit! Rabbit! Ole rabbit in de bottoms,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A-playin' in de san',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">By to-morrow mornin',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You'll be in my fryin' pan.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THE ELEPHANT</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">My mammy gimme fifteen cents<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fer to see dat elephan' jump de fence.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He jump so high, I didn' see why,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If she gimme a dollar he mought not cry.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">So I axed my mammy to gimme a dollar,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fer to go an' hear de elephan' holler.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He holler so loud, he skeered de crowd.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Nex' he jump so high, he tetch de sky;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' he won't git back 'fore de fo'th o' July.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 117 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>A FEW NEGROES BY STATES</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Alabammer Nigger say he love mush.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Tennessee Nigger say: "Good Lawd, hush!"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Fifteen cents in de panel of de fence,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">South Ca'lina Nigger hain't got no sense.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dat Kentucky Nigger jes think he's fine,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Cause he drink dat Gooseberry wine.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I'se done heared some twenty year ago<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat de Missippi Nigger hafter sleep on de flō'.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Lousanner Nigger fall out'n de bed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' break his head on a pone o' co'n bread.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>HOW TO PLEASE A PREACHER</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">If you wants to see dat Preachah laugh,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jes change up a dollar, an' give 'im a half.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If you wants to make dat Preachah sing,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Kill dat tucky an' give him a wing.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If you wants to see dat Preachah cry,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Kill dat chicken an' give him a thigh.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 118 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>LOOKING FOR A FIGHT</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I went down town de yudder night,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A-raisin' san' an' a-wantin' a fight.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Had a forty dollar razzer, an' a gatlin' gun,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fer to shoot dem Niggers down one by one.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>I'LL WEAR ME A COTTON DRESS</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oh, will you wear red? Oh, will you wear red?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh, will you wear red, Milly Biggers?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"I won't wear red,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It's too much lak Missus' head.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'll wear me a cotton dress,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dyed wid copperse an' oak-bark."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oh, will you wear blue? Oh, will you wear blue?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh, will you wear blue, Milly Biggers?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"I won't wear blue,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It's too much lak Missus' shoe.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'll wear me a cotton dress,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dyed wid copperse an' oak-bark."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 119 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span><span class="i0">You sholy would wear gray? You sholy would wear gray?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You sholy would wear gray, Milly Biggers?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"I won't wear gray,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It's too much lak Missus' way.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'll wear me a cotton dress,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dyed wid copperse an' oak-bark."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Well, will you wear white? Well, will you wear white?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Well, will you wear white, Milly Biggers?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"I won't wear white,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'd get dirty long 'fore night.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'll wear me a cotton dress,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dyed wid copperse an' oak-bark."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Now, will you wear black? Now, will you wear black?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Now, will you wear black, Milly Biggers?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"I mought wear black,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Case it's de color o' my back;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' it looks lak my cotton dress,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dyed wid <a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a>copperse an' oak-bark."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_33_33" id="Footnote_33_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> Copperse is copperas, or sulphate of iron.</p></div> +</div> + +<p><!-- Page 120 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>HALF WAY DOINGS</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">My dear Brudders an' Sisters,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">As I comes here to-day,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I hain't gwineter take no scripture verse<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fer what I'se gwineter say.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">My words I'se gwineter cut off short<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I 'spects to use dis tex':<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Dis half way doin's hain't no 'count<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fer dis worl' nor de nex'."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dis half way doin's, Brudderin,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Won't never do, I say.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Go to yō' wuk, an' git it done,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' den's de time to play.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Fer w'en a Nigger gits lazy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' stops to take short naps,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De weeds an' grass is shore to grow<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' smudder out his craps.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dis worl' dat we's a livin' in<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Is sumpen lak a cotton row:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whar each an' ev'ry one o' us<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Is got his row to hoe.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 121 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span><span class="i0">An' w'en de cotton's all laid by,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De rain, it spile de bowls,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If you don't keep busy pickin'<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In de cotton fiel' of yō' souls.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Keep on a-plowin', an' a-hoein';<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Keep on scrapin' off de rows;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' w'en de year is over<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You can pay off all you owes.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">But w'en you sees a lazy Nigger<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Stop workin', shore's you're born,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You'se gwineter see him comin' out<br /></span> +<span class="i0">At de liddle end of de horn.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>TWO TIMES ONE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Two times one is two.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Won't you jes keep still till I gits through?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Three times three is nine.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You 'tend to yō' business, an' I'll 'tend to mine.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 122 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>HE PAID ME SEVEN (PARODY)</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Our Fadder, Which are in Heaben!"—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">White man owe me leben and pay me seben.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"D'y Kingdom come! D'y Will be done!"—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' if I hadn't tuck dat, I wouldn' git none.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>PARODY ON "REIGN, MASTER JESUS, REIGN!"</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oh rain! Oh rain! Oh rain, "good" Mosser!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Rain, Mosser, rain! Rain hard!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Rain flour an' lard an' a big hog head<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Down in my back yard.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">An' w'en you comes down to my cabin,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Come down by de corn fiel'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If you cain't bring me a piece o' meat,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den bring me a peck o' meal.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oh rain! Oh rain! Oh rain, "good" Mosser!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat good rain gives mō' rest.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"What d'you say? You Nigger, dar!"—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Wet ground grows grass best."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 123 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>A REQUEST TO SELL</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Gwineter ax my daddy to sell ole Rose,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So's I can git me some new clō's.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Gwineter ax my daddy to sell ole Nat,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So's I can git a bran' new hat.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Gwineter ax my daddy to sell ole Bruise,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den I can git some Brogran shoes.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Now, I'se gwineter fix myse'f "jes so,"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' take myse'f down to Big Shiloh.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se gwine right down to Big Shiloh<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To take dat t'other Nigger's beau.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>WE'LL STICK TO THE HOE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">We'll stick to de hoe, till de sun go down.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We'll rise w'en de rooster crow,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' go to de fiel' whar de sun shine hot,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To de fiel' whar de sugar cane grow.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yes, Chilluns, we'll all go!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We'll go to de fiel' whar de sun shine hot.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To de fiel' whar de sugar cane grow.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 124 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span><span class="i0">Oh, sing 'long boys, fer de wuk hain't hard!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh scrape an' clean up de row.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fer de grass musn' grow, while de sun shine hot,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In de fiel' whar de sugar cane grow.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No, Chilluns. No, No!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat grass musn' grow, while de sun shine hot,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In de fiel' whar de sugar cane grow.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Don't think 'bout de time, fer de time hain't long.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yō' life soon come an' go;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den good-bye fiel' whar de sun shine hot,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To de fiel' whar de sugar cane grow.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yes, Chilluns. We'll all go!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Good-by to de fiel' whar de sun shine hot,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To de fiel' whar de sugar cane grow.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>A FINE PLASTER</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">W'en it's sheep skin an' beeswax,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It shō's a mighty fine plaster:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De mō' you tries to pull it off,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De mō' it sticks de faster.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 125 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>A DAY'S HAPPINESS</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Fust: I went out to milk an' I didn' know how,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">I milked dat goat instid o' dat cow;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">While a Nigger a-settin' wid a gapin' jaw,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Kept winkin' his eye at a tucky in de straw.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Den: I went out de gate an' I went down de road,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An' I met Miss 'Possum an' I met Mistah Toad;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An' ev'y time Miss 'Possum 'ould sing,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Mistah Toad 'ould cut dat Pigeon's Wing.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">But: I went in a whoop, as I went down de road;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">I had a bawky team an' a heavy load.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">I cracked my whip, an' ole Beck sprung,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An' she busted out my wagin tongue.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Well: Dat night dere 'us a-gittin' up, shores you're born.<br /></span> +<span class="i2"> De louse go to supper, an' de flea blow de horn.<br /></span> +<span class="i2"> Dat raccoon paced, an' dat 'possum trot;<br /></span> +<span class="i2"> Dat ole goose laid, an' de gander sot.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 126 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>MASTER KILLED A BIG BULL</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Mosser killed a big bull,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Missus cooked a dish full,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Didn't give poor Nigger a mouf full.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Humph! Humph!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Mosser killed a fat lam'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Missus brung a basket,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' give poor Nigger de haslet.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Eh-eh! Eh-eh!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Mosser killed a fat hog<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Missus biled de middlin's,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' give poor Nigger de chitlin's.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Shō! Shō!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>YOU HAD BETTER MIND MASTER</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'Way down yon'er in 'Possum Trot,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">(In ole Miss'sip' whar de sun shines hot)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dere hain't no chickens an' de Niggers eats c'on;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You hain't never see'd de lak since youse been bo'n,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You'd better mīn' Mosser an' keep a stiff lip,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So's you won't git sōl' down to ole Miss'sip'.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 127 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span></p> + +<h3>Love Rhyme Section</h3> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>PRETTY LITTLE PINK</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">My pretty liddle Pink,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I once did think,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat we-uns shō' would marry;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But I'se done give up,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hain't got no hope,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I hain't got no time to tarry.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'll drink coffee dat flows,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From oaks dat grows,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Long de river dat flows wid brandy.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>A BITTER LOVERS' QUARREL—ONE SIDE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">You nasty dog! You dirty hog!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You thinks somebody loves you.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I tells you dis to let you know<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I thinks myse'f above you.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 128 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>ROSES RED</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Rose's red, vi'lets blue.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sugar is sweet but not lak you.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De vi'lets fade, de roses fall;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But you gits sweeter, all in all.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">As shore as de grass grows 'round de stump,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You is my darlin' Sugar Lump.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">W'en de sun don't shine de day is cold,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But my love fer you do not git old.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De ocean's deep, de sky is blue;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sugar is sweet, an' so is you;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De ocean waves an' de sky gits pale,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But my love are true, an' it never fail.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>YOU HAVE MADE ME WEEP</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">You'se made me weep, you'se made me mourn,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You'se made me tears an' sorrow.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So far' you well, my pretty liddle gal,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se gwine away to-morrow.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 129 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>MOURNING SLAVE FIANCEES</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Look down dat lonesome road! Look down!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De way are dark an' cōl'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey makes me weep, dey makes me mourn;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">All 'cause my love are sōl'.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">O don't you see dat turkle dove,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">What mourns from vine to vine?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She mourns lak I moans fer my love,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Lef' many a mile behin'.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>DO I LOVE YOU?</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Does I love you wid all my heart?—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I loves you wid my liver;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' if I had you in my mouf,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'd spit you in de river.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>LOVERS' GOOD-NIGHT</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Cotton fields white in de bright moonlight,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Now kiss yō' gal' an' say "Good-night."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If she don't kiss you, jes go on 'way;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hain't no need a-stayin' ontel nex' day.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 130 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>VINIE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I loves coffee, an' I loves tea.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I axes you, Vinie, does you love me?<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">My day's study's Vinie, an' my midnight dreams,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My apples, my peaches, my tunnups, an' greens.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oh, I wants dat good 'possum, an' I wants to be free;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But I don't need no sugar, if Vinie love me.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De river is wide, an' I cain't well step it.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I loves you, dear Vinie; an' you know I cain't he'p it.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dat sugar is sweet, an' dat butter is greasy;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But I loves you, sweet Vinie; don't be oneasy.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Some loves ten, an' some loves twenty,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But I loves you, Vinie, an' dat is a plenty.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oh silver, it shine, an' lakwise do tin.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De way I loves Vinie, it mus' be a sin.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Well, de cedar is green, an' so is de pine.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">God bless you, Vinie! I wish you 'us mine.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 131 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span></p> + +<h3>Love Song Rhyme Section</h3> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>SHE HUGGED ME AND KISSED ME</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I see'd her in de Springtime,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I see'd her in de Fall,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I see'd her in de Cotton patch,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A cameing from de Ball.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">She hug me, an' she kiss me,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She wrung my han' an' cried.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She said I wus de sweetes' thing<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat ever lived or died.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">She hug me an' she kiss me.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh Heaben! De touch o' her han'!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She said I wus de puttiest thing<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In de shape o' mortal man.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I told her dat I love her,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat my love wus bed-cord strong;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den I axed her w'en she'd have me,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' she jes say "Go long!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 132 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>IT IS HARD TO LOVE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">It's hard to love, yes, indeed 'tis.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It's hard to be broke up in min'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You'se all lugged up in some gal's heart,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But you hain't gwineter lug up in mine.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>ME AND MY LOVER</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Me an' my Lover, we fall out.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">How d'you reckon de fuss begun?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She laked licker, an' I laked fun,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' dat wus de way de fuss begun.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Me an' my Lover, we fall out.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">W'at d'you reckon de fuss wus 'bout?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She loved bitters, an' I loved kraut,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' dat wus w'at de fuss wus 'bout.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Me an' my Lover git clean 'part.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">How d'you reckon dat big fuss start?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She's got a gizzard, an' I'se got a heart,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' dat's de way dat big fuss start.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 133 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>I WISH I WAS AN APPLE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oh:   I wish I wus an apple,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An' my Sallie wus anudder.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">What a pretty match we'd be,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Hangin' on a tree togedder!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">But: If I wus an apple,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An' my Sallie wus anudder;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">We'd grow up high, close to de sky,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Whar de Niggers couldn' git 'er.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">We'd grow up close to de sun<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An' smile up dar above;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Den we'd fall down 'way in de groun'<br /></span> +<span class="i2">To sleep an' dream 'bout love.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">And: W'en we git through a dreamin',<br /></span> +<span class="i2">We'd bofe in Heaben wake.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">No Nigger shouldn' git my gal<br /></span> +<span class="i2">W'en 'is time come to bake.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 134 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>REJECTED BY ELIZA JANE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">W'en I went 'cross de cotton patch<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I give my ho'n a blow.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I thought I heared pretty Lizie say:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Oh, yon'er come my beau!"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">So: I axed pretty Lizie to marry me,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An' what d'you reckon she said?<br /></span> +<span class="i2">She said she wouldn' marry me,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">If ev'ybody else wus dead.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">An': As I went up de new cut road,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An' she go down de lane;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Den I thought I heared somebody say:<br /></span> +<span class="i2">"Good-bye, ole Lize Jane!"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Well: Jes git 'long, Lizie, my true love.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Git 'long, Miss Lizie Jane.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Perhaps you'll <a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a>sack "Ole Sour Bill"<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An' git choked on "Sugar Cain."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_34_34" id="Footnote_34_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34_34"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> Sack = To reject as a lover.</p></div> +</div> + +<p><!-- Page 135 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span></p> + +<h3>Courtship Rhyme Section</h3> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>ANTEBELLUM COURTSHIP INQUIRY</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">(He) Is you a flyin' lark or a settin' dove?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">(She) I'se a flyin' lark, my honey Love.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">(He) Is you a bird o' one fedder, or a bird o' two?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">(She) I'se a bird o' one fedder, w'en it comes to you.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">(He) Den, Mam:<br /></span> +<span class="i3">I has desire, an' quick temptation,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">To jine my fence to yō' plantation.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>INVITED TO TAKE THE ESCORT'S ARM</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Miss, does you lak strawberries?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">____*____*____*____*____*____<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den hang on de vine.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">____*____*____*____*____*____<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Miss, does you lak chicken?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">____*____*____*____*____*____<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den have a wing dis time.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 136 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>SPARKING OR COURTING</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I'se heaps older dan three.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se heaps thicker dan barks;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' de older I gits,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De mō' harder I sparks.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I sparks fast an' hard,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For I'se feared I mought fail.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dough I'se gittin' ole,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I don't co't lak no snail.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>A CLANDESTINE LETTER</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Kind Miss: If I sent you a letter,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">By de crickets,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Through de thickets,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">How'd you answer better?<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Kind Suh: I'd sen' you a letter,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">By de mole,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Not to be tōl';<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Fer dat's mō' secretter.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 137 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>ANTEBELLUM MARRIAGE PROPOSAL<br /> +<span class="poemsub">(<i>A proposal of marriage with the answer deferred</i>)</span></h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">(He) De ocean, it's wide; de sea, it's deep.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Yes, in yō' arms I begs to sleep,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Not fer one time, not fer three;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">But long as we-uns can agree.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">(She) Please gimme time, Suh, to "reponder;"<br /></span> +<span class="i2"> Please gimme time to "gargalize;"<br /></span> +<span class="i2"> Den 'haps I'll tu'n to "cattlegog,"<br /></span> +<span class="i2"> An' answer up 'greeable fer a s'prise.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>IF YOU FROWN</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">If you frowns, an' I frowns,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">W'en we goes out togedder;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den all de t'other folks aroun'<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Will say: "De rain is fallin' down<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Right in de sunshine wedder!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 138 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>"LET'S MARRY" COURTSHIP<br /> +<span class="poemsub">(<i>A proposal of marriage, with a provisional acceptance</i>)</span></h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">(He) Oh Miss Lizie, how I loves you!<br /></span> +<span class="i2">My life's jes los' if you hain't true.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">If you loves me lak I loves you,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">No knife cain't cut our love in two.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">(She) Grapevine warp, an' cornstalk fillin';<br /></span> +<span class="i2"> I'll marry you if mammy an' daddy's willin'.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">(He) Rabbit hop an' long dog trot!<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Let's git married if dey say "not."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>COURTSHIP<br /> +<span class="poemsub">(<i>A proposal of marriage with its acceptance</i>)</span></h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Kind Miss: I'se on de stage o' action,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Pleadin' hard fer satisfaction,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Pleadin' 'fore de time-thief late;<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Darfore, Ma'm, now, <a name="FNanchor_35_35" id="FNanchor_35_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a>"cravenate."<br /></span> +<!-- Page 139 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span></div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4">If I brung to you a gyarment;<br /></span> +<span class="i4">To be cut widout scissors,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">An' to be sewed widout thread;<br /></span> +<span class="i4">How (I ax you) would you make it,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Widout de needle sewin'<br /></span> +<span class="i4">An' widout de cloth spread?<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Kind Suh: I'd make dat gyarment<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Wid love from my heart,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">Wid tears on yō' head;<br /></span> +<span class="i4">We never would part.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_35_35" id="Footnote_35_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35_35"><span class="label">[35]</span></a> Cravenate = consider.</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>I WALKED THE ROADS</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Well: I walked de roads, till de roads git muddy.<br /></span> +<span class="i2"> I talked to dat pretty gal, till I couldn' stan' study.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Den: I say: "Love me liddle," I say; "Love me long."<br /></span> +<span class="i2">I say: "Let dat liddle be 'doggone' strong!<br /></span> +<span class="i2">For, shore as dat rat runs 'cross de rafter,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">So shore you'se de gal, you'se de gal I'se after."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 140 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>PRESENTING A HAT TO PHOEBE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Sister Phoebe: Happy wus we,<br /></span> +<span class="i6">W'en we sot under dat Juniper tree.<br /></span> +<span class="i6">Take dis hat, it'll keep yō' head warm.<br /></span> +<span class="i6">Take dis kiss, it'll do you no harm.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Sister Phoebe: De hours, dey're few;<br /></span> +<span class="i6">But dis hat'll say I'se thinkin' 'bout you.<br /></span> +<span class="i6">Sugar, it's sugar; an' salt, it's salt;<br /></span> +<span class="i6">If you don't love me, it's shō' yō' own fault.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>WOOING</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">W'at is dat a wukin<br /></span> +<span class="i0">At yō' han' bill on de wall,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So's yō' sperit, it cain't res',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' a gemmun's heat, it call?<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Is you lookin' fer sweeter berries<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Growin' on a higher bush?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' does my combersation suit?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If not, w'at does you wush?<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 141 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span></p> + +<h3>Courtship Song Rhyme Section</h3> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THE COURTING BOY</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">W'en I wus a liddle boy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jes fifteen inches high;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De way I court de pretty gals,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It make de ole folks cry.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De geese swim in de middle pon'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De ducks fly 'cross de clover.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Run an' tell dem pretty gals,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat I'se a-comin' over.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ho! Marindie! Ho!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ho! Missindie! Ho!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ho! Malindie! Ho! my gal!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se gwine now to see ole Sal.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 142 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>PRETTY POLLY ANN</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I'se gwineter marry, if I can.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se gwineter marry pretty Polly Ann.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I axed Polly Ann, fer to marry me.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She say she's a-lookin' fer a Nigger dat's free.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Pretty Polly Ann's jes dressed so fine!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'll bet five dollars she hain't got a dime.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Pretty Polly Ann's jes a-puttin' on airs,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She won't notice me, but nobody cares.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I'll drop Polly Ann, a-lookin' lak a crane;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I 'spec's I'll marry Miss Lize Jane.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 143 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span></p> + +<h3>Marriage Rhyme Section</h3> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>SLAVE MARRIAGE CEREMONY SUPPLEMENT</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dark an' stormy may come de wedder;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I jines dis he-male an' dis she-male togedder.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Let none, but Him dat makes de thunder,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Put dis he-male an' dis she-male asunder.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I darfore 'nounce you bofe de same.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Be good, go 'long, an' keep up yō' name.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De broomstick's jumped, de worl's not wide.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She's now yō' own. Salute yō' bride!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 144 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span></p> + +<h3>Married Life Rhyme Section</h3> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THE NEWLY WEDS</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">First Mont': "Set down in my cabin, Honey!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nex' Mont': "Stan' up, my Pie."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Third Mont': "You go to wuk, you Wench!<br /></span> +<span class="i5">You well to wuk as I!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>WHEN I GO TO MARRY</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">W'en I goes to marry,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I wants a gal wid money.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I wants a pretty black-eyed gal<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To kiss an' call me "Honey."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Well, w'en I goes to marry,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I don't wanter git no riches.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I wants a man 'bout four foot high,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So's I can w'ar de britches.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 145 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>BOUGHT ME A WIFE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Bought me a wife an' de wife please me,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I feeds my wife un'er yon'er tree.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My wife go: "Row-row!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My guinea go: "Potrack! +<ins class="correction" title="original missing close quote">Potrack!"</ins><br /></span> +<span class="i0">My chicken go: "Gymsack! Gymsack!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My duck go: "Quack-quack! Quack-quack!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My dog go: "Bow-bow!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My hoss go: "Whee-whee! Whee-whee!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My cat go: "Fiddle-toe! Fiddle-toe!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>WHEN I WAS A "ROUSTABOUT"</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">W'en I wus a "Roustabout," wild an' young,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I co'ted my gal wid a mighty slick tongue.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I tōl' her some oncommon lies dere an' den.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I tōl' her dat we'd marry, but I didn' say w'en.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 146 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span><span class="i0">So on a Mond'y mornin' I tuck her fer my wife.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of co'se I wus 'spectin' an agreeable life.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But on a Chuesd'y mornin' she chuned up her pipe,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' she 'bused me more 'an I'd been 'bused all my life.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">On a Wednesd'y evenin', as I come 'long home,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I says to myse'f dat she wus all my own;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' on a Thursd'y night I went out to de woods,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I cut me two big fine tough leatherwoods.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">So on a Frid'y mornin' w'en she roll me 'er eyes,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I retched fer my leatherwoods to give 'er a s'prise,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dem long keen leatherwoods wuked mighty well,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' 'er tongue, it jes rattle lak a clapper in a bell.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">On a Sadd'y mornin' she sleep sorter late;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' de las' time I see'd her, she 'us gwine out de gate.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I wus feedin' at de stable, lookin' out through a crack,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' she lef' my log cabin 'fore I could git back.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">On a Sund'y mornin', as I laid on my bed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I didn' have no Nigger wife to bother my head.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Now whisky an' brandy jug's my biges' bes' friend,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' my long week's wuk is about at its end.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 147 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>MY FIRST AND MY SECOND WIFE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">My fust liddle wife wus short an' fat.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Her face wus as black as my ole hat,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Her nose all flat, an' her eyes sunk in,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' dat lip hang down below her chin.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Now wusn't I sorrowful in mind?<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">W'en I went down to dat wife's brother;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He said: "She 'us tired. Gwineter marry 'nother."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If I ever ketches dat city Coon,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He railly mought see my razzer soon.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Den I 'spec's he'd be troubled in mind!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">My nex' wife hug an' kiss me,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She call me "Sugar Plum!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She throw her arms 'round me,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Lak a grapevine 'round de gum!<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Wusn't dat glory to my soul!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Her cheeks, dey're lak de cherry;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat Cherry, it's lak de rose.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wid a liddle dimple in her chin,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' a liddle tu'ned up nose!<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Oh, hain't I happy in mind!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> + +<!-- Page 148 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> +<span class="i0">I'se got you, Lou, now fer my wife.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Keep new Coons 'way, "My Pie!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Caze, if you don't, I tells you now,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat we all three mought die.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Den we'd be troubled in min'!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>GOOD-BY, WIFE!</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I had a liddle wife,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I didn' want to kill 'er;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So I tuck 'er by de heels,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I throwed 'er in de river.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Good-by, Wife! Good-by, Honey!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hadn' been fer you,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'd a had a liddle money."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">My liddle fussy wife<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Up an' say she mus' have scissors;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' druther dan to fight,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'd a throwed 'er in three rivers.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But she crossed dem fingers, w'en she go down,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' a liddle bit later<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She walk out on de groun'.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 149 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span></p> + +<h3>Nursery Rhyme Section</h3> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5><a name="FNanchor_36_36" id="FNanchor_36_36"></a> +<a href="#Footnote_36_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a>AWFUL HARBINGERS</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">W'en de big owl whoops,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' de screech owl screeks,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' de win' makes a howlin' sound;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You liddle wooly heads<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Had better kiver up,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Caze de "hants" is comin' 'round.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_36_36" id="Footnote_36_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36_36"><span class="label">[36]</span></a> This little rhyme is based upon a superstition once +current among Negroes, to the effect that bad luck would come when a +screech owl called near your home at night unless, upon hearing him, you +would stick the handle of a shovel into the fire about which you were +sitting, or would throw salt into it. The word "hant" means ghost or +spirit.</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THE LAST OF JACK</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I had a liddle dog, his name wus Jack;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He run forty mile 'fore he look back.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">W'en he look back, he fall in a crack;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">W'en he fall in a crack, he break 'is back;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' dat wus de las' o' poor liddle Jack.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 150 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>LITTLE DOGS</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I had a liddle dog; his name wus Ball;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">W'en I give him a liddle, he want it all.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I had a liddle dog, his name wus Trot;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He helt up his tail, all tied in a knot.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I had a liddle dog, his name wus Blue;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I put him on de road, an' he almos' flew.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I had a liddle dog, his name wus Mack;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I rid his tail fer to save his back.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I had a liddle dog, his name wus Rover;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">W'en he died, he died all over.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I had a liddle dog, his name wus Dan;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' w'en he died, I buried 'im in de san'.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>MY DOG, CUFF</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I had a liddle dog, his name wus Cuff;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I sent 'im to town to buy some snuff.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He drapped de bale, an' he spilt de snuff,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I guess dat speech is long enough.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 151 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>SAM IS A CLEVER FELLOW</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Say! Is yō' peaches ripe, my boy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' is yō' apples meller?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Go an' tell Miss Katie Jones<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat Sam's a clever feller.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Say! Is yō' cherries red, my boy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' is yō' plums all yeller?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh please run tell Miss Katie Jones<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat Sam's a clever feller.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THE GREAT OWL'S SONG</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ah-hoo-hoo? Ah-hoo-hoo? Ah-hoo-hoo——?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' who'll cook fer Kelline, an' who'll cook fer you——?<br /></span> +<span class="i0"><ins class="correction" title="this line and the next were indented in the original">I will cook fer myse'f, I won't cook fer you.</ins><br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ah-hoo-hoo! Ah-hoo-hoo! Ah-hoo——!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ah-hoo-hoo! Ah-hoo-hoo! Ah-hoo-hoo! Ah-hoo——!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I wonder if Kelline would not cook fer Hue——?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fer dis is Big Sandy! It's Big Sandy Hue——!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ah-hoo-hoo! Ah-hoo-hoo! Ah-hoo-hoo! Ah-hoo——!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 152 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span><span class="i0">Ah-ha-hah! Ah-ha-hah! Ah-ha-hah! Ah-hah——!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I thought you 'us ole Bill Jack as black as de tah.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You really must 'scuse me, my "Honey Lump Pa."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ah-ha-hah! Ah-ha-hah! Ah-ha-hah! Ah-hah——!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">An' since I'se been Kelline, an' you'se Big Sandy Hue;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I will cook fer myse'f, an' I will cook fer you.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'll love you forever, an' sing in de dew:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Ah-hoo-hoo! Ah-hoo-hoo! Ah-hoo-hoo! Ah-hoo——!"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Yes!—Ah-hoo-hoo! Ah-hoo-hoo! Ah-hoo-hoo! Ah-hoo-all!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Now, we'll cook fer ourse'fs, but who'll cook fer you all?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fer Tom Dick an' his wife, fer Pete Snap an' Shoe-Awl,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Rough Shot De Shoe-boot, an' de Lawd He knows who all?<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 153 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>HERE I STAND</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Here I stan', raggity an' dirty;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If you don't come kiss me, I'll run lak a tucky.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Here I stan' on two liddle chips,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Pray, come kiss my sweet liddle lips.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Here I stan' crooked lak a horn;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I hain't had no kiss since I'se been born.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>PIG TAIL</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Run boys, run!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De pig tail's done.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If you don't come quick,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You won't git none.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Pig ham's dere,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Lakwise middlin's square;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But dese great big parts<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hain't no Nigger's bes' fare.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 154 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>A, B, C</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">A, B, C,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Doubled down D;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se so lazy you cain't see me.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">A, B, C,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Doubled down D<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Lazy Chilluns gits hick'ry tea.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">A, B, C,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Doubled down D,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat "cat's" in de cupboard an' hid. You see?<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">A, B, C,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Doubled down D,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You'd better come out an' wuk lak me.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>NEGRO BAKER MAN</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Patty cake! Patty cake! Nigger Baker man.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Missus an' Mosser gwineter ketch 'im if dey can.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Put de liddle Nigger in Mosser's dish pan,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' scrub 'im off good fer de ole San' Man.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 155 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>STICK-A-MA-STEW</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Stick-a-ma-stew, he went to town.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Stick-a-ma-stew, he tore 'is gown.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">All dem folks what live in town<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Cain't mend dat randsome, handsome gown.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>BOB-WHITE'S SONG</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Bob-white! Bob-white!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Is yō' peas all ripe?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No—! not—! quite!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Bob-white! Bob-white!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">W'en will dey be ripe?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To-mor—! row—! might!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Bob-white! Bob-white!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Does you sing at night?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No—! not—! quite!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Bob-white! Bob-white!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">W'en is de time right?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">At can—! dle—! light!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 156 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>COOKING DINNER</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Go: Bile dem cabbage down.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Turn dat hoecake 'round,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Cook it done an' brown.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Yes: Gwineter have sweet taters too.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Hain't had none since las' Fall,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Gwineter eat 'em skins an' all.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>CHUCK WILL'S WIDOW SONG</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oh nimber, nimber Will-o!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My crooked, crooked bill-o!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se settin' down right now, on<br /></span> +<span class="i2">de sweet pertater hill-o.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oh nimber, nimber Will-o!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My crooked, crooked bill-o!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Two liddle naked babies, my two<br /></span> +<span class="i2">brown aigs now fill-o.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oh nimber, nimber Will-o!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My crooked, crooked bill-o!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Don't hurt de liddle babies; dey<br /></span> +<span class="i2">is too sweet to kill-o.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 157 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>BRIDLE UP A RAT</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Bridle up er rat,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Saddle up er cat,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' han' me down my big straw hat.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">In come de cat,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Out go de rat,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Down go de baby wid 'is big straw hat.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>MY LITTLE PIG</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">You see: I had a liddle pig,<br /></span> +<span class="i3"> I fed 'im on slop;<br /></span> +<span class="i3"> He got so fat<br /></span> +<span class="i3"> Dat he almos' pop.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">An' den: I tuck de liddle pig,<br /></span> +<span class="i3"> An' I rid 'im to school;<br /></span> +<span class="i3"> He e't ginger cake,<br /></span> +<span class="i3"> An' it tu'n 'im a fool.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><ins class="correction" title="original reads: But he (with no extra space)">But: He</ins> grunt de lessons,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">An' keep all de rule,<br /></span> +<span class="i3">An' he make 'em all think<br /></span> +<span class="i3">Dat he learn in de cool.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 158 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>IN A MULBERRY TREE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Jes looky, looky yonder; w'at I see!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Two liddle Niggers in a Mulberry tree.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">One cain't read, an' de t'other cain't write.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But dey bofe can smoke deir daddy's pipe.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"One ma two! One ma two!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat Mulberry Witch, he <a name="FNanchor_37_37" id="FNanchor_37_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_37_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a>titterer too.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Big bait o' Mulberries make 'em bofe sick.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dem liddle Niggers gwineter roll an' kick!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_37_37" id="Footnote_37_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_37_37"><span class="label">[37]</span></a> Titterer means laugh.</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>ANIMAL ATTIRE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dat Coon, he w'ar a undershirt;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat 'Possum w'ar a gown.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Br'er Rabbit, he w'ar a overcoat<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wid buttons up an' down.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Mistah Gobbler's got beads 'roun' 'is nec'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Mistah Pattridge's got a collar, Hun!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Mistah Peacock, a fedder on his head!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But dese don't stop no gun.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 159 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>ASPIRATION</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">If I wus de President<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of dese United States,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'd eat good 'lasses candy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' swing on all de gates.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>ANIMAL FAIR</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Has you ever hearn tell 'bout de Animal Fair?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dem birds an' beasts wus all down dere.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat jaybird a-settin' down on 'is wing!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Has you ever hearn tell about sitch a thing<br /></span> +<span class="i0">As whut 'us at dat Animal Fair?<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Well, dem animals had a Fair.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dem birds an' beasts wus dere.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De big Baboon,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">By de light o' de moon,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jes comb up his sandy hair.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 160 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span><span class="i0">De monkey, he git drunk,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He kick up a red hot chunk.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dem coals, dey 'rose;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' bu'nt 'is toes!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He clumb de Elephan's trunk.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I went down to de Fair.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dem varmints all wus dere.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat young Baboon<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wunk at Miss Coon;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat curled de Elephan's hair.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De Camel den walk 'bout,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' tromped on de Elephan's snout.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De Elephan' sneeze,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' fall on his knees;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat pleased all dem monkēys.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>LITTLE BOY WHO COULDN'T COUNT SEVEN</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Once der wus a liddle boy dat couldn' count one.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey pitched him in a fedder bed; 'e thought it great big fun.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 161 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span><span class="i0">Once der wus a liddle boy dat couldn' count two.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey pitched him in a fedder bed; 'e thought 'e 'us gwine through.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Once der wus a liddle boy dat couldn' count three.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey pitched him in a fedder bed; 'e thought de Niggers 'us free.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Once der wus a liddle boy dat couldn' count fō'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey pitched him in a fedder bed; 'e jumped out on de flō'.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Once der wus a liddle boy dat couldn' count five.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey pitched him in a fedder bed; 'e thought de dead alive.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Once der wus a liddle boy dat couldn' count six.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey pitched him in a fedder bed; 'e never did git fix!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Once der wus a liddle boy dat couldn' count seben.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey pitched him in a fedder bed; 'e thought he's gwine to Heaben!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 162 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>MISS TERRAPIN AND MISS TOAD</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">As I went marchin' down de road,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I met Miss Tearpin an' I met Miss Toad.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' ev'ry time Miss Toad would jump,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Miss Tearpin would peep from 'hind de stump.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I axed dem ladies fer to marry me,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' bofe find fault wid de t'other, you see.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"If you marries Miss Toad," Miss Tearpin said,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"You'll have to hop 'round lak you'se been half dead!"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"If you combs yō' head wid a Tearpin comb,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You'll have to creep 'round all tied up at home."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I run'd away frum dar, my foot got bruise,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For I didn't know zackly which to choose.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>FROM SLAVERY</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Chile: I come from out'n slavery,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whar de Bull-whup bust de hide;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Back dar, whar dis gineration<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Natchully widdered up an' died!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 163 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THE END OF TEN LITTLE NEGROES</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ten liddle Niggers, a-eatin', fat an' fine;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">One choke hisse'f to death, an' dat lef' nine.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nine liddle Niggers, dey sot up too late;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">One sleep hisse'f to death, an' dat lef' eight.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Eight liddle Niggers want to go to Heaben;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">One sing hisse'f to death, an' dat lef' seben.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Seben liddle Niggers, a-pickin' up sticks;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">One wuk hisse'f to death, an' dat lef' six.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Six liddle Niggers went out fer to drive;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Mule run away wid one, an' dat lef' five.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Five liddle Niggers in a cold rain pour;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">One coughed hisse'f to death, an' dat lef' four.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Four liddle Niggers, climb a' apple tree;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">One fall down an' out, an' dat lef' three.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Three liddle Niggers a-wantin' sumpin new;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">One, he quit de udders, an' dat lef' two.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Two liddle Niggers went out fer to run;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">One fell down de bluff, an' dat lef' one.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">One liddle Nigger, a-foolin' wid a gun;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Gun go off "bang!" an' dat lef' none.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 164 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THE ALABAMA WAY</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'Way down yon'er "in de Alerbamer way,"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De Niggers goes to wo'k at de peep o' de day.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De bed's too short, an' de high posts rear;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De Niggers needs a ladder fer to climb up dere.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De cord's wore out, an' de bed-tick's gone.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Niggers' legs hang down fer de chickens t' roost on.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>MOTHER SAYS I AM SIX YEARS OLD</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">My mammy says dat I'se too young<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To go to Church an' pray;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But she don't know how bad I is<br /></span> +<span class="i0">W'en she's been gone away.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">My mammy says I'se six years old,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My daddy says I'se seben.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat's all right how old I is,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jes since I'se a gwine to Heaben.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 165 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THE ORIGIN OF THE SNAKE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Up de hill an' down de level!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Up de hill an' down de level!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Granny's puppy treed de Devil.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Puppy howl, an' Devil shake!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Puppy howl, an' Devil shake!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Devil leave, an' dere's yō' snake.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Mash his head; de sun shine bright!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Mash his head; de sun shine +<ins class="correction" title="original reads: bright;">bright!</ins><br /></span> +<span class="i0">Tail don't die ontel it's night.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Night come on, an' sperits groan!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Night come on, an' sperits groan!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Devil come an' gits his own.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>WILD HOG HUNT</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Nigger in de woods, a-settin' on a log;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wid his finger on de trigger, an' his eyes upon de hog.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De gun say "bam!" an' de hog say "bip!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' de Nigger grab dat wild hog wid all his grip.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 166 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span></p> +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>A STRANGE BROOD</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De ole hen sot on tucky aigs,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' she hatch out goslin's three.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Two wus tuckies wid slender legs,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' one wus a bumblebee.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">All dem hens say to one nudder:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Mighty queer chickens! See?"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THE TOWN AND THE COUNTRY BIRD</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Jaybird a-swingin' a two hoss plow;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Sparrer, why not you?"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"W'y—! My legs so liddle an' slender, man,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se fear'd dey'd break in two."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Jaybird answer: "What'd you say?—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I sometimes worms terbaccy;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But I'd druther plow sweet taters too,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dan to be a ole Town Tacky!"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Jaybird up in de Sugar tree,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De sparrer on de groun';<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De jaybird shake de sugar down,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' de sparrer pass it 'roun'.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 167 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span><span class="i0">De jaybird say: "Save some fer me;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I needs it w'en I bakes."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De sparrer say: "Use 'lasses, Suh!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat suits fer Country-Jakes!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>FROG IN A MILL (<a name="FNanchor_38_38" id="FNanchor_38_38"></a> +<a href="#Footnote_38_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a>GUINEA OR EBO RHYME)</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Once dere wus er frog dat lived in er mill.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He had er raker don la bottom o' la kimebo<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Kimebo, nayro, dilldo, kiro<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Stimstam, formididdle, all-a-board la rake;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wid er raker don la bottom o' la kimebo.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_38_38" id="Footnote_38_38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_38_38"><span class="label">[38]</span></a> For explanation, read the Study in Negro Folk Rhymes.</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>STRONG HANDS</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Here's yō' bread, an' here's yō' butter;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' here's de hands fer to make you sputter.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Tetch dese hands, w'en you wants to tetch a beaver.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If dese hands tetch you, you'll shō' ketch de fever.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dese hands Samson, good fer a row,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">W'en dey hits you, it's "good-by cow!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 168 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>TREE FROGS (GUINEA OR EBO RHYME)</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Shool! Shool! Shool! I rule!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Shool! Shool! Shool! I rule!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Shool! Shacker-rack!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I shool bubba cool.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Seller! Beller eel!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fust to ma tree'l<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Just came er bubba.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Buska! Buska-reel!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>WHEN I WAS A LITTLE BOY</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">W'en I wus a liddle boy<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I cleaned up mammy's dishes;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Now I is a great big boy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I wears my daddy's britches.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I can knock dat Mobile Buck<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' smoke dat corncob pipe.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I can kiss dem pretty gals,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' set up ev'ry night.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 169 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>GRASSHOPPER SENSE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dere wus a liddle grasshopper<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat wus always on de jump;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' caze he never look ahead,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He wus always gittin' a bump.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Huddlety, dumpty, dumpty, dump!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Mind out, or you will git a bump;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Shore as de grass grows 'round de stump<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Be keerful, my sweet Sugar Lump.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>YOUNG MASTER AND OLD MASTER</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Hick'ry leaves an' calico sleeves!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I tells you young Mosser's hard to please.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Young Mosser fool you, de way he grin.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De way he whup you is a sin.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De monkey's a-settin' on de end of a rail,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Pickin' his tooth wid de end of his tail.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Mulberry leaves an' homespun sleeves!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Better know dat ole Mosser's not easy to please.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 170 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>MY SPECKLED HEN</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Somebody stole my speckled hen.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey lef' me mighty pōo'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ev'ry day she layed three aigs,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' Sunday she lay fō'.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Somebody stole my speckled hen.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She crowed at my back dō'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fedders, dey shine jes lak de sun;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De Niggers grudged her mō'.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><a name="FNanchor_39_39" id="FNanchor_39_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_39_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a>De whis'lin' gal, an' de crowin' hen,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Never comes to no good en'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Stop dat whis'lin'; go on an' sing!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Member dat hen wid 'er shinin' wing.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_39_39" id="Footnote_39_39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_39_39"><span class="label">[39]</span></a> An old superstition.</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THE SNAIL'S REPLY</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Snail! Snail! Come out'n o' yō' shell,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Or I'll beat on yō' back till you rings lak a bell.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"I do ve'y well," sayed de snail in de shell,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"I'll jes take my chances in here whar I dwell."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 171 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>A STRANGE FAMILY</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Once dere's an ole 'oman dat lived in de Wes'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She had two gals of de very bes'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">One wus older dan de t'other,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">T'other's older dan her mother,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' dey're all deir own gran'mother.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Can you guess?<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>GOOD-BY, RING</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I had a liddle dog, his name wus Ring,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I tied him up to his nose wid a string.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I pulled dat string, an' his eyes tu'n blue.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Good-by, Ring! I'se done wid you."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>DEEDLE, DUMPLING</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Deedle, deedle, dumplin'! My boy, Pete!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He went to bed wid his dirty feet.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Mammy laid a switch down on dat sheet!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Deedle, deedle, dumplin'! My boy, Pete!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 172 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>BUCK AND BERRY</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Buck an' Berry run a race,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Buck fall down an' skin his face.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Buck an' Berry in a stall;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Buck, he try to eat it all.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Buck, he e't too much, you see.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So he died wid choleree.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>PRETTY LITTLE GIRL</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Who's been here since I'se been gone?<br /></span> +<span class="i1">A pretty liddle gal wid a blue dress on.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Who'll stay here when I goes 'way?<br /></span> +<span class="i1">A pretty liddle gal, all dressed in gray.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Who'll wait on Mistess day an' night?<br /></span> +<span class="i1">A pretty liddle gal, all dressed in white.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Who'll be here when I'se been dead?<br /></span> +<span class="i1">A pretty liddle gal, all dressed in red.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 173 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>TWO SICK NEGRO BOYS</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Two liddle Niggers sick in bed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">One jumped up an' bumped his head.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">W'en de Doctah come he simpully said:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Jes feed dat boy on shorten' bread."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">T'other liddle Nigger sick in bed,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">W'en he hear tell o' shorten' bread,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Popped up all well. He dance an' sing!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He almos' cut dat Pigeon's Wing!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>GRASSHOPPER SITTING ON A SWEET POTATO VINE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Grasshopper <ins class="correction" title="original reads: a settin'">a-settin'</ins> on a sweet tater vine,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Long come a Blackbird an' nab him up behind.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Blackbird a-settin' in a sour apple tree;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hawk grab him up behind; he "Chee! Chee! Chee!"<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Big hawk a-settin' in de top of dat oak,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Start to eat dat Blackbird an' he git choke.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 174 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>DOODLE-BUG</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Doodle-bug! Doodle-bug! Come git sweet milk.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Doodle-bug! Doodle-bug! Come git butter.<br /></span> +<span class="i0"><ins class="correction" title="original reads: Doodle bug!">Doodle-bug!</ins> Doodle-bug! Come git co'n bread.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Doodle-bug! Doodle-bug! Come on to Supper.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5><a name="FNanchor_40_40" id="FNanchor_40_40"></a> +<a href="#Footnote_40_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a>RAW HEAD AND BLOODY BONES</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Don't talk! Go to sleep!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Eyes shet an' don't you peep!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Keep still, or he jes moans:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Raw Head an' Bloody Bones!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_40_40" id="Footnote_40_40"></a><a href="#FNanchor_40_40"><span class="label">[40]</span></a> Repeated to restless children at night to make them lie +still and go to sleep.</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>MYSTERIOUS FACE WASHING</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I wash my face in de watah<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat's neider rain nor run.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I wipes my face on de towel<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat's neider wove nor spun.—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I wash my face in de dew,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I dries it in de sun.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 175 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>GO TO BED</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De wood's in de kitchen.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De hoss's in de shed.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You liddle Niggers<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Had better go to bed.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5><a name="FNanchor_41_41" id="FNanchor_41_41"></a> +<a href="#Footnote_41_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a>BUCK-EYED RABBIT! WHOOPEE!</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dat Squir'l, he's a cunnin' thing;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He tote a bushy tail.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He jes lug off Uncle Sambo's co'n,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' heart it on a rail.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dat Squir'l, he's a cunnin' thing;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' so is ole Jedge B'ar.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Br'er Rabbit's gone an' los' his tail<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Cep' a liddle bunch of ha'r.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Buckeyed Rabbit! Whoopee!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Buckeyed Rabbit! Ho!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Buckeyed Rabbit! Whoopee!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Squir'l's got a long way to go.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_41_41" id="Footnote_41_41"></a><a href="#FNanchor_41_41"><span class="label">[41]</span></a> The explanation of this rhyme is found in the Study in +Negro Folk Rhymes.</p></div> +</div> + +<p><!-- Page 176 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>CAPTAIN COON</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Captain Coon's a mighty man,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He trabble atter dark;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wid nothin' 'tall to 'sturb his mind,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But to hear my ole dog bark.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dat 'Possum, he's a mighty man,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He trabble late at night.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He never think to climb a tree,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Till he's feared ole Rober'll bite.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>GUINEA GALL</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'Way down yon'er in Guinea Gall,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De Niggers eats de fat an' all.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Way down yon'er in de cotton fiel',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ev'ry week one peck o' meal.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Way down yon'er ole Mosser swar';<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Holler at you, an' pitch, an' r'ar;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Wid cat o' nine tails,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Wid pen o' nine nails,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Tee whing, tee bing,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An' ev'ry thing!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 177 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>FISHING SIMON</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Simon tuck his hook an' pole,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' fished on Sunday we's been told.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fish dem water death bells ring,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Talk from out'n de water, sing—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Bait yō' hook, Simon!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Drap yō' line, Simon!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Now ketch me, Simon!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Pull me out, Simon!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Take me home, Simon!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Now clean me, Simon!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Cut me up now, Simon!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Now salt me, Simon!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Now fry me, Simon!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dish me up now, Simon!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Eat me all, Simon!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Simon e't till he wus full.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Still dat fish keep his plate fall.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Simon want no mō' at all,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fish say dat he mus' eat all.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Simon's sick, so he throw up!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He give Sunday fishin' up.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 178 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>A STRANGE OLD WOMAN</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dere wus an ole 'oman, her name wus Nan.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She lived an 'oman, an' died a man.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De ole 'oman lived to be dried up an' cunnin';<br /></span> +<span class="i0">One leg stood still, while de tother kep' runnin'.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>IN '76</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Way down yonder in sebenty-six,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whar I git my jawbone fix;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">All dem coon-loons eatin' wid a spoon!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'll be ready fer dat Great Day soon.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>REDHEAD WOODPECKER</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Redhead woodpecker: "Chip! Chip! Chee!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Promise dat he'll marry me.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whar shall de weddin' supper be?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Down in de lot, in a rotten holler tree.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">What will de weddin' supper be?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A liddle green worm an' a bumblebee,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Way down yonder on de holler tree.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De Redhead woodpecker, "Chip! Chip! Chee!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 179 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>OLD AUNT KATE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Jes look at Ole Aunt Kate at de gyardin gate!<br /></span> +<span class="i2">She's a good ole 'oman.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">W'en she sift 'er meal, she give me de husk;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">W'en she cook 'er bread, she give me de crust.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">She put de hosses in de stable;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">But one jump out, an' skin his nable.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jes look at Ole Aunt Kate at de gyardin gate!<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Still she's always late.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Hurrah fer Ole Aunt Kate by de gyardin gate!<br /></span> +<span class="i2">She's a fine ole 'oman.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Git down dat sifter, take down dat tray!<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Go 'long, Honey, dere hain't no udder way!<br /></span> +<span class="i2">She put on dat hoe cake, she went 'round de house.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">She cook dat 'Possum, an' she call 'im a mouse!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hurrah fer Ole Aunt Kate by de gyardin gate!<br /></span> +<span class="i2">She's a fine playmate.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>CHILDREN'S SEATING RHYME</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">You set outside, an' ketch de cow-hide.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'll set in de middle, an' play de gol' fiddle.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You set 'round about, an' git scrouged out.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 180 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>MY BABY</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I'se de daddy of dis liddle black baby.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He's his mammy's onliest sweetest liddle Coon.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Got de look on de forehead lak his daddy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Pretty eyes jes as big as de moon.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I'se de daddy of dis liddle black baby.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yes, his mammy keep de "Sugar" rollin' over.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She feed him wid a tin cup an' a spoon;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' he kick lak a pony eatin' clover.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>A RACE-STARTER'S RHYME</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">One fer de money!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Two fer de show!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Three to git ready,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' four fer to go!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>NESTING</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De jaybird build on a swingin' lim',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De sparrow in de gyardin;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat ole gray goose in de panel o' de fence,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' de gander on de t'other side o' Jordan.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 181 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>BABY WANTS CHERRIES</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De cherries, dey're red; de cherries, dey're ripe;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' de baby it want one.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De cherries, dey're hard; de cherries, dey're sour;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' de baby cain't git none.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Jes look at dat bird in de cherry tree!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He's pickin' 'em one by one!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He's shakin' his bill, he's gittin' it fill',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' down dat th'oat dey run!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Nev' mind! Bye an' bye dat bird's gwineter fly,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' mammy's gwineter make dat pie.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She'll give you a few, fer de baby cain't chew,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' de Pickaninny sholy won't cry.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>A PRETTY PAIR OF CHICKENS</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dat box-legged rooster, an' dat bow-legged hen<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Make a mighty pretty couple, not to be no kin.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey's jes lak some Niggers wearin' white folks ole britches,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey thinks dey's lookin' fine, w'en dey needs lots of stitches.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 182 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>TOO MUCH WATERMELON</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dere wus a great big watermillion growin' on de vine.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dere wus a liddle ugly Nigger watchin' all de time.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' w'en dat great big watermillion lay ripenin' in de sun,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' de stripes along its purty skin wus comin' one by one,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat ugly Nigger pulled it off an' toted it away,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' he e't dat great big watermillion all in one single day.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He e't de rinds, an' red meat too, he finish it all trim;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' den,—dat great big watermillion up an' finish him.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>BUTTERFLY</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Pretty liddle butterfly, yaller as de gold,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My sweet liddle butterfly, you shō' is mighty bold.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You can dance out in de sun, you can fly up high,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But you know I'se bound to git you, yet, my liddle butterfly.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 183 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THE HATED BLACKBIRD AND CROW</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dat Blackbird say unto de Crow:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Dat's why de white folks hates us so;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For ever since ole Adam wus born,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It's been our rule to gedder green corn."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dat Blackbird say unto de Crow:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"If you's not black, den I don't know.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">White folks calls you black, but I say not;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Caze de kittle musn' talk about de pot."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>IN A RUSH</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Here I comes jes a-rearin' an' a-pitchin',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I hain't had no kiss since I lef' de ole kitchin.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Candy, dat's sweet; dat's very, very clear;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But a kiss from yō' lips would be sweeter, my dear.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>TAKING A WALK</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">We's a-walkin' in de green grass dust, dust, dust.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We's a-walkin' in de green grass dust.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If you's jes as sweet as I thinks you to be,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'll take you by yō' liddle hand to walk wid me.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 184 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>PAYING DEBTS WITH KICKS</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I owes yō' daddy a peck o' peas.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se gwineter pay it wid my knees.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I owes yō' mammy a pound o' meat;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I'se gwineter pay dat wid my feet.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Now, if I owes 'em somethin' mō';<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You come right back an' let me know.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Please say to dem ('fore I fergets)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I never fails to pay my debts.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>GETTING TEN NEGRO BOYS TOGETHER</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">One liddle Nigger boy whistle an' stew,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He whistle up anudder Nigger an' dat make two.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Two liddle Nigger boys shuck de apple tree,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Down fall anudder Nigger, an' dat make three.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Three liddle Nigger boys, a-wantin' one more,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Never has no trouble a-gittin' up four.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Four liddle Nigger boys, dey cain't drive.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey hire a Nigger hack boy, an' dat make five.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Five liddle Niggers, bein' calcullated men,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Call anudder Nigger 'piece an' dat make ten.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 185 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>HAWK AND CHICKENS</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Hen an' chickens in a fodder stack,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Mighty busy scratchin'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hawk settin' off on a swingin' lim',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ready fer de catchin'.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Hawk come a-whizzin' wid his bitin' mouf,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Couldn' hold hisself in.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hen, flyin' up, knock his eye clean out;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' de Jaybird died a-laughin'.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>MUD-LOG POND</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">As I stepped down by de Mud-log pon',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I seed dat bullfrog wid his shoe-boots on.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His eyes wus glass, an' his heels wus brass;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I give him a dollar fer to let me pass.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>WHAT WILL WE DO FOR BACON?</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">What will we do fer bacon now?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se shot, I'se shot de ole sandy sow!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She jumped de fence an' broke de rail;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An'—"Bam!"—I shot her on de tail.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 186 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>A LITTLE PICKANINNY</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Me an' its mammy is both gwine to town,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To git dis Pickaninny a liddle hat an' gown.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Don't you never let him waller on de flō'!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He's a liddle Pickaninny,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Born in ole Virginy.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Mammy! Don't de baby grow?<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Setch a eatin' o' de honey an' a drinkin' o' de wine!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We's gwine down togedder fer to have a good time;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' we's gwineter eat, an' drink mō' an' mō'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh, sweet liddle <a name="FNanchor_42_42" id="FNanchor_42_42"></a><a href="#Footnote_42_42" class="fnanchor">[42]</a>Pickaninny,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Born in ole Virginy.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Mammy! How de baby grow!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_42_42" id="Footnote_42_42"></a><a href="#FNanchor_42_42"><span class="label">[42]</span></a> Pickanniny appears to have been an African word used by +the early American slaves for the word baby.</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5><a name="FNanchor_43_43" id="FNanchor_43_43"></a> +<a href="#Footnote_43_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a>DON'T SING BEFORE BREAKFAST</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Don't sing out 'fore Breakfast,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Don't sing 'fore you eat,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Or you'll cry out 'fore midnight,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You'll cry 'fore you sleep.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_43_43" id="Footnote_43_43"></a><a href="#FNanchor_43_43"><span class="label">[43]</span></a> A superstition.</p></div> +</div> + +<p><!-- Page 187 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>MY FOLKS AND YOUR FOLKS</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">If you an' yō' folks<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Likes me an' my folks,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Lak me an' my folks,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Likes you an' yō' folks;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You's never seed folks,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Since folks 'as been folks,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Like you an' yō' folks,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Lak me an' my folks.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>LITTLE SLEEPING NEGROES</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">One liddle Nigger a-lyin' in de bed;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His eyes shet an' still, lak he been dead.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Two liddle Niggers a-lyin' in de bed;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A-snorin' an' a-dreamin' of a table spread.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Three liddle Niggers a-lyin' in de bed;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Deir heels cracked open lak shorten' bread.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Four liddle Niggers a-lyin' in de bed;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey'd better hop out, if dey wants to git fed!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 188 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>MAMMA'S DARLING</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Wid flowers on my shoulders,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' wid slippers on my feet;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se my mammy's darlin'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Don't you think I'se sweet?<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I wish I had a fourpence,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den I mought use a dime.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I wish I had a Sweetheart,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To kiss me all de time.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I has apples on de table,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I has peaches on de shelf;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But I wish I had a husband—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se so tired stayin' to myself.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>STEALING A RIDE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Two liddle Nigger boys as black as tar,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Tryin' to go to Heaben on a railroad chyar.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Off fall Nigger boys on a cross-tie!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey's gwineter git to Heaben shore bye-an'-bye.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 189 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>WASHING MAMMA'S DISHES</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">When I wus a liddle boy<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A-washin' my mammy's dishes,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I rund my finger down my th'oat<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' pulled out two big fishes!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">When I wus a liddle boy<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A-wipin' my mammy's dishes,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I sticked my finger in my eye<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I shō' seed liddle fishes.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De big fish swallowed dem all up!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It put me jes a-thinkin'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">All dem things looks awful cu'ous!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I wonder wus I drinkin'?<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>WILLIE WEE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Willie, Willie, Willie Wee!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">One, two, three.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If you wanna kiss a pretty gal,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Come kiss me.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 190 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span></p> + +<h5>ONE NEGRO THEME SUNG WITH "FROG WENT A-COURTING"</h5> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> +<img src="images/frog.png" width="450" height="307" alt="Frog Went A-Courting Musical Notation" title="" /> +</div> +<p class="center"><a href="music/205-frog.midi">[Listen]</a></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>FROG WENT A-COURTING</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De frog went a-co'tin', he did ride. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De frog went a-co'tin', he did ride<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wid a sword an' a pistol by 'is side. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">He rid up to Miss Mousie's dō'. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He rid up to Miss Mousie's dō',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whar he'd of'en been befō. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 191 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span><span class="i0">Says he: "Miss Mousie, is you in?" Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Says he: "Miss Mousie, is you in?"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Oh yes, Sugar Lump! I kyard an' spin." Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">He tuck dat Mousie on his knee. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He tuck dat Mousie on his knee,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' he say: "Dear Honey, marry me!" Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Oh Suh!" she say, "I cain't do dat." Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Oh Suh!" she say, "I cain't do dat,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Widout de sayso o' uncle Rat." Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dat ole gray Rat, he soon come home. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat ole gray Rat, he soon come home,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sayin': "Whose been here since I'se been gone?" Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"A fine young gemmun fer to see." Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"A fine young gemmun fer to see,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' one dat axed fer to marry me." Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 192 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span><span class="i0">Dat Rat jes laugh to split his side. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat Rat jes laugh to split his side.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Jes think o' Mousie's bein' a bride!" Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Nex' day, dat rat went down to town. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nex' day dat rat went down to town,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To git up de Mousie's Weddin' gown. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"What's de bes' thing fer de Weddin' gown?" Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"What's de bes' thing fer de Weddin' gown?"—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Dat acorn hull, all gray an' brown!" Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Whar shall de Weddin' Infar' be?" Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Whar shall de Weddin' Infar' be?"—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Down in de swamp in a holler tree." Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 193 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span><span class="i0">"What shall de Weddin' Infar' be?" Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"What shall de Weddin' Infar' be?"—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Two brown beans an' a blackeyed pea." Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Fust to come in wus de Bumblebee. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fust to come in wus de Bumblebee.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wid a fiddle an' bow across his knee. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De nex' dat come wus Khyernel Wren. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De nex' dat come wus Khyernel Wren,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' he dance a reel wid de Turkey Hen. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De nex' dat come wus Mistah Snake. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De nex' dat come wus Mistah Snake,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He swallowed de whole weddin' cake! Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 194 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span><span class="i0">De nex' come in wus Cap'n Flea. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De nex' come in wus Cap'n Flea,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' he dance a jig fer de Bumblebee. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">An' now come in ole Giner'l Louse. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' now come in ole Giner'l Louse.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He dance a breakdown 'round de house. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De nex' to come wus Major Tick. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De nex' to come wus Major Tick,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' he e't so much it make 'im sick. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dey sent fer Mistah Doctah Fly. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey sent fer Mistah Doctah Fly.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Says he: "Major Tick, you's boun' to die." Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oh, den crep' in ole Mistah Cat. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh, den crep' in ole Mistah Cat,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' chilluns, dey all hollered, "Scat!!" Uh-huh!!! Uh-huh!!!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 195 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span><span class="i0">It give dat frog a turble fright. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It give dat frog a turble fright,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' he up an' say to dem, "Good-night!" Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dat frog, he swum de lake aroun'. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat frog, he swum de lake aroun',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' a big black duck come gobble 'im down. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"What d'you say 'us Miss Mousie's lot?" Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"What d'you say 'us Miss Mousie's lot?"—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"W'y—, she got swallered on de spot!" Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Now, I don't know no mō' 'an dat. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Now, I don't know no mō' 'an dat.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If you gits mō' you can take my hat. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">An' if you thinks dat hat won't do. Uh-huh! Uh-huh!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' if you thinks dat hat won't do,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den you mought take my head 'long, too. Uh-huh!!! Uh-huh!!!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 196 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>SHOO! SHOO!</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Shoo! Shoo!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">What'll I do?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Run three mile an' buckle my shoe?<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">No! No!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se gwineter go,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' kill dat chicken on my flō'.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oh! My!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Chicken pie!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sen' fer de Doctah, I mought die.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Christmus here,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Once a year.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Pass dat cider an' 'simmon beer.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>FLAP-JACKS</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I loves my wife, an' I loves my baby:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I loves dem flap-jacks a-floatin' in gravy.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You play dem chyards, an' make two passes:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">While I eats dem flap-jacks a-floatin' in 'lasses.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 197 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span><span class="i0">Now: in come a Nigger an' in come a bear,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In come a Nigger dat hain't got no hair.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Good-by, Nigger, go right on back,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fer I hain't gwineter give you no flap-jack.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>TEACHING TABLE MANNERS</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Now whilst we's here 'round de table,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">All you young ones git right still.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I wants to l'arn you some good manners,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So's you'll think o' Uncle Bill.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Cose we's gwineter 'scuse Merlindy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Caze she's jes a baby yit.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But it's time you udder young ones<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wus a-l'arnin' a liddle bit.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I can 'member as a youngster,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Lak you youngsters is to-day;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">How my mammy l'arnt me manners<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In a 'culiar kind o' way.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">One o' mammy's ole time 'quaintance.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">(Ole Aunt Donie wus her name)<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Come one night to see my mammy.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Mammy co'se 'pared fer de same.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 198 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span><span class="i0">Mammy got de sifter, Honey;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' she tuck an' make up dough,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Which she tu'n into hot biscuits.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den we all git smart, you know.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'Zerves an' biscuits on de table!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Honey, noways could I wait.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ole Aunt Donie wus a good ole 'oman,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I jes had to pass my plate.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I soon swallered down dem biscuit,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">E't 'em faster dan a shoat.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey wus a liddle tough an' knotty,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But I chawed 'em lak a goat.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Pass de biscuits, please, Mam!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Please, Mam, fer I wants some mō'."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Lawd! You'd oughter seed my mammy<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Frownin' up, jes "sorter so."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Won't you pass de biscuit, please, Mam?"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I said wid a liddle fear.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dere wus not but one mō' lef', Sir.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Mammy riz up out'n her chear.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 199 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span><span class="i0">W'en Aunt Donie lef' our house, Suh,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Mammy come lak bees an' ants,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Put my head down 'twixt her knees, Suh,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Almos' roll me out'n my pants.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">She had a great big tough hick'ry,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' it help till it convince.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Frum dat day clean down to dis one,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'se had manners ev'r since.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>MISS BLODGER</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De rats an' de mice, dey rund up stairs,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fer to hear Miss Blodger say her prayers.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Now here I stan's 'fore Miss Blodger.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She 'spects to hit me, but I'se gwineter dodge her.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THE LITTLE NEGRO FLY</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dere's a liddle Nigger fly<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Got a pretty liddle eye;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But he don't know 'is A, B, C's.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He up an' crawl de book,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' he eben 'pears to look;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But he don't know 'is A, B, C's.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 200 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>DESTINIES OF GOOD AND BAD CHILDREN</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">One, two, three, fō', five, six, seben;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">All de good chilluns goes to Heaben.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">All de bad chilluns goes below,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To <a name="FNanchor_44_44" id="FNanchor_44_44"></a><a href="#Footnote_44_44" class="fnanchor">[44]</a>segashuate wid ole man <a name="FNanchor_45_45" id="FNanchor_45_45"></a><a href="#Footnote_45_45" class="fnanchor">[45]</a>Joe.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">One, two, three, fō', five, six, seben, eight;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">All de good chilluns goes in de Pearly Gate.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But all de bad chilluns goes the Broad Road below,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To segashuate wid ole man Joe.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_44_44" id="Footnote_44_44"></a><a href="#FNanchor_44_44"><span class="label">[44]</span></a> Segashuate means associate with.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_45_45" id="Footnote_45_45"></a><a href="#FNanchor_45_45"><span class="label">[45]</span></a> Read first stanza of "Sheep Shell Corn," to know of ole +man Joe.</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>BLACK-EYED PEAS FOR LUCK</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">One time I went a-huntin',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I heared dat 'possum sneeze.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I hollered back to Susan Ann:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Put on a pot o' peas."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dat good ole 'lasses candy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">What makes de eyeballs shine,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wid 'possum peas an' taters,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Is my dish all de time.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 201 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span><span class="i0"><a name="FNanchor_46_46" id="FNanchor_46_46"></a><a href="#Footnote_46_46" class="fnanchor">[46]</a>Dem black-eyed peas is lucky;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When e't on New Year's day,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You always has sweet taters,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' 'possum come your way.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_46_46" id="Footnote_46_46"></a><a href="#FNanchor_46_46"><span class="label">[46]</span></a> This last stanza embodies one of the old superstitions.</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5><a name="FNanchor_47_47" id="FNanchor_47_47"></a> +<a href="#Footnote_47_47" class="fnanchor">[47]</a>PERIWINKLE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Pennywinkle, pennywinkle, poke out yō' ho'n;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I'll give you five dollahs an' a bar'l o' co'n.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Pennywinkle! Pennywinkle! Dat gal love me?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jes stick out yō' ho'n all pinted to a tree.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_47_47" id="Footnote_47_47"></a><a href="#FNanchor_47_47"><span class="label">[47]</span></a> The Periwinkle seems to have been used as an oracle by +some Negroes in the days of their enslavement.</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>TRAINING THE BOY</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">W'en I wus a liddle boy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jes thirteen inches high,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I useter climb de table legs,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' steal off cake an' pie.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Altho' I wus a liddle boy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' tho' I wusn't high,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My mammy took dat keen switch down,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' whupped me till I cry.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 202 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span><span class="i0">Now I is a great big boy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' Mammy, she cain't do it;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My daddy gits a great big stick,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' pulls me right down to it.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dey say: "No breakin' dishes now;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No stealin' an' no lies."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' since I is a great big boy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey 'spects me to act wise.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5><a name="FNanchor_48_48" id="FNanchor_48_48"></a> +<a href="#Footnote_48_48" class="fnanchor">[48]</a>BAT! BAT!</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Bat! Bat! Come un'er my hat,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I'll give you a slish o' bacon.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But don't bring none yō' ole bedbugs,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If you don't want to git fersaken.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_48_48" id="Footnote_48_48"></a><a href="#FNanchor_48_48"><span class="label">[48]</span></a> A superstition that it is good luck to catch a bat in +one's hat if he doesn't get bedbugs by so doing.</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>RANDSOME TANTSOME</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Randsome Tantsome!—Gwine to de Fair?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Randsome Tantsome!—W'at you gwineter wear?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Dem shoes an' stockin's I'se bound to wear!"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Randsome Tantsome a-gwine to de Fair.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 203 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>ARE YOU CAREFUL?</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Is you keerful; w'en you goes down de street,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To see dat yō' cloze looks nice an' neat?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Does you watch yō' liddle step 'long de way,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' think 'bout dem words dat you say?<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>RABBIT HASH</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dere wus a big ole rabbit<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat had a mighty habit<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A-settin' in my gyardin,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' eatin' all my cabbitch.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I hit 'im wid a mallet,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I tapped 'im wid a maul.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sich anudder rabbit hash,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You's never tasted 'tall.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>WHY THE WOODPECKER'S HEAD IS RED</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Bill Dillix say to dat woodpecker bird:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"W'at makes yō' topknot red?"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Says he: "I'se picked in de red-hot sun,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Till it's done burnt my head."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 204 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span></p> + +<h4>BLESSINGS</h4> + +<p>The chivalry of the Old South rather demanded that all friends should be +invited to partake of the meal, if they chanced to come calling about +the time of the meal hour. This ideal also pervaded the lowly slave +Negro's cabin. In order that this hospitality might not be abused, the +Negroes had a little deterrent story which they told their children. +Below are the fancied Blessings asked by the fictitious Negro family, in +the story, whose hospitality had been abused.</p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>BLESSING WITH COMPANY PRESENT</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oh Lawd now bless an' bīn' us,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' put ole Satan 'hīn' us.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh let yō' Sperit mīn' us.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Don't let none hongry fīn' us.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>BLESSING WITHOUT COMPANY</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oh Lawd have mussy now upon us,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' keep 'way some our neighbors from us.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For w'en dey all comes down upon us,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey eats mōs' all our victuals from us.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 205 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>ANIMAL PERSECUTORS</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I went up on de mountain,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To git a bag o' co'n.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat coon, he sicked 'is dog on me,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat 'possum blowed 'is ho'n.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dat gobbler up an' laugh at me.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat pattridge giggled out.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat peacock squall to bust 'is sides,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To see me runnin' 'bout.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>FOUR RUNAWAY NEGROES—WHENCE THEY CAME</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Once fō' runaway Niggers,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey met in de road.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' dey ax one nudder:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whar dey come from.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den one up an' say:<br /></span> +<span class="i1">"I'se jes come down from Chapel Hill<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Whar de Niggers hain't wuked an' never will."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Den anudder up an' say:<br /></span> +<span class="i1">"I'se jes come here from Guinea Gall<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Whar dey eats de cow up, skin an' all."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 206 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span><span class="i0">Den de nex' Nigger say<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whar he done come from:<br /></span> +<span class="i1">"Dey wuked you night an' day as dey could;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Dey never had stopped an' dey never would."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De las' Nigger say<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whar he come from:<br /></span> +<span class="i1">"De Niggers all went out to de Ball;<br /></span> +<span class="i1">De thick, de thin, de short, de tall."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">But dey'd all please set up,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jes lak ole Br'er Rabbit<br /></span> +<span class="i0">W'en he look fer a dog.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' keep it in mind,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Whilst dey boasts 'bout deir gals<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' dem t'other things:<br /></span> +<span class="i1">"Dat none deir gals wus lak Sallie Jane,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Fer dat gal wus sweeter dan sugar cane."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 207 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span></p> + +<h3>Wise Saying Section</h3> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>LEARN TO COUNT</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Naught's a naught,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Five's a figger.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">All fer de white man,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">None fer de Nigger.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ten's a ten,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But it's mighty funny;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When you cain't count good,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You hain't got no money.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THE WAR IS ON</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">De boll-weevil's in de cotton,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De cut-worm's in de corn,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De Devil's in de white man;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' de wah's a-gwine on.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Poor Nigger hain't got no home!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Poor Nigger hain't got no home!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 208 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>HOW TO PLANT AND CULTIVATE SEEDS</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Plant: One fer de blackbird<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Two fer de crow,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Three fer de jaybird<br /></span> +<span class="i2">An' fō' fer to grow.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Den: When you goes to wuk,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Don't never stand still;<br /></span> +<span class="i2">When you pull de grass,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Pull it out'n de hill.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>A MAN OF WORDS</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">A man o' words an' not o' deeds,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Is lak a gyarden full o' weeds.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">De weeds 'gin to grow<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Lak a gyarden full o' snow.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">De snow 'gin to fly<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Lak a eagle in de sky.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">De sky 'gin to roar<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Lak a hammer on yō' door.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">De door 'gin to crack<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Lak a hick'ry on yō' back.<!-- Page 209 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span><br /></span> +<span class="i1">Yō' back 'gin to smart<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Lak a knife in yō' heart.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Yō' heart 'gin to fail<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Lak a boat widout a sail.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">De boat 'gin to sink<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Lak a bottle full o' ink.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Dat ink, it won't write<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Neider black nor white.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat man o' words an' not o' deeds,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Is lak a gyarden full o' weeds.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>INDEPENDENT</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I'se jes as innerpenunt as a pig on ice.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Gwineter git up ag'in if I slips down twice.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If I cain't git up, I can jes lie down.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I don't want no Niggers to be he'pin' me 'roun'.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>TEMPERANCE RHYME</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Whisky nor brandy hain't no friend to my kind.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey killed my pō' daddy, an' dey troubled my mind.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sometime he drunk whisky, sometime he drunk ale;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sometime he kotch de rawhide, an' sometime de flail.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 210 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span><span class="i0">On yon'er high mountain, I'll set up dar high;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' de wild geese can cheer me while passin' on by.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Go 'way, young ladies, an' let me alone;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For you know I'se a poor boy, an' a long ways from home.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Go put up de hosses an' give 'em some hay;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But don't give me no whisky, so long as I stay.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For whisky nor brandy hain't friend to my kind;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey killed my pō' daddy, an' dey troubled my mind.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THAT HYPOCRITE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I tell you how dat hypocrite do,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He come down to my house, an' talk about you;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He talk about me, an' he talk about you;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' dat's de way dat hypocrite do.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I tell you how dat hypocrite pray.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He pray out loud in de hypocrite way.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He pray out loud, got a heap to say;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' dat's de way dat hypocrite pray.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I tell you how dat hypocrite 'ten',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He 'ten' dat he love, an' he don't love men.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He 'ten' dat he love, an' he hate Br'er Ben;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' dat's de way dat hypocrite 'ten'.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 211 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>DRINKING RAZOR SOUP</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">He's been drinkin' razzer soup;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat sharp Nigger, black lak ink.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If he don't watch dat tongue o' his,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Somebody'll hurt 'im 'fōr' he think.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">He cain't drive de pigeons t' roost,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dough he talk so big an' smart.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hain't got de sense to tole 'em in.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Cain't more 'an drive dat ole mule chyart.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>OLD MAN KNOW-ALL</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ole man Know-All, he come 'round<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wid his nose in de air, turned 'way frum de ground.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">His ole woolly head hain't been combed fer a week;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It say: "Keep still, while Know-All speak."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ole man Know-All's tongue, it run;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He jes know'd ev'rything under de sun.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When you knowed one thing, he knowed mō'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He 'us sharp 'nough to stick an' green 'nough to grow.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 212 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span><span class="i0">Ole man Know-All died las' week.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He got drowned in de middle o' de creek.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De bridge wus dar, an' dar to stay.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But he knowed too much to go dat way.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>FED FROM THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">I nebber starts to break my colt,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Till he's ole enough to trabble.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I nebber digs my taters up<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wen dey's only right to grabble.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So w'en you sees me risin' up<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To structify in meetin',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You can know I'se climbed de Knowledge Tree<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' done some apple eatin'.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THE TONGUE</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Got a tongue dat jes run when it walk?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It cain't talk.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Got a tongue dat can hush when it talk?—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It cain't squawk.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 213 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>BRAG AND BOAST</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Brag is a big dog;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But Hold Fast, he is better.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dem big black rough hands,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dey cain't write no letter.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Boast, he barks an' growls loud;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But Bulger, he hain't no shirker.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat big loud mouf Nigger,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He hain't never no worker.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>SELF-CONTROL</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Befo' you says dat ugly word,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You stop an' count ten.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Den if you wants to say dat word,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Begin an' count again.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Don't have a tongue tied in de middle,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' loose frum en' to en'.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You mus' think twice, den speak once;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat <a name="FNanchor_49_49" id="FNanchor_49_49"></a><a href="#Footnote_49_49" class="fnanchor">[49]</a>donkey cain't count ten.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_49_49" id="Footnote_49_49"></a><a href="#FNanchor_49_49"><span class="label">[49]</span></a> The somewhat less dignified term was more commonly used.</p></div> +</div> + +<p><!-- Page 214 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>SPEAK SOFTLY</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Wus dat you spoke,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Or a fence rail broke?"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Br'er Rabbit say to de Jay<br /></span> +<span class="i0"><a name="FNanchor_50_50" id="FNanchor_50_50"></a><a href="#Footnote_50_50" class="fnanchor">[50]</a>W'en you don't speak sof',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yō' baits comes off;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' de fish jes swim away.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_50_50" id="Footnote_50_50"></a><a href="#FNanchor_50_50"><span class="label">[50]</span></a> The last three lines of the rhyme was a superstition +current among antebellum Negroes.</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>STILL WATER RUNS DEEP</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dat still water, it run deep.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat shaller water prattle.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat tongue, hung in a holler head,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jes roll 'round an' rattle.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>DON'T TELL ALL YOU KNOW</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Keep dis in min', an' all 'll go right;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">As on yō' way you goes;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Be shore you knows 'bout all you tells,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But don't tell all you knows.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 215 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5><a name="FNanchor_51_51" id="FNanchor_51_51"></a> +<a href="#Footnote_51_51" class="fnanchor">[51]</a>JACK AND DINAH WANT FREEDOM</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ole Aunt Dinah, she's jes lak me.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She wuk so hard dat she want to be free.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But, you know, Aunt Dinah's gittin' sorter ole;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' she's feared to go to Canada, caze it's so cōl'.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dar wus ole Uncle Jack, he want to git free.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He find de way Norf by de moss on de tree.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He cross dat <a name="FNanchor_52_52" id="FNanchor_52_52"></a><a href="#Footnote_52_52" class="fnanchor">[52]</a>river a-floatin' in a tub.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dem <a name="FNanchor_53_53" id="FNanchor_53_53"></a><a href="#Footnote_53_53" class="fnanchor">[53]</a>Patterollers give 'im a mighty close rub.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Dar is ole Uncle Billy, he's a mighty good Nigger.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He tote all de news to Mosser a little bigger.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">When you tells Uncle Billy, you wants free fer a fac';<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De nex' day de hide drap off'n yō' back.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_51_51" id="Footnote_51_51"></a><a href="#FNanchor_51_51"><span class="label">[51]</span></a> The writer wishes to give explanation as to why the rhyme +"Jack and Dinah Want Freedom" appears under the Section of +Psycho-composite Rhymes as set forth in "The Study——" of our volume. +The Negroes repeating this rhyme did not always give the names Jack, +Dinah, and Billy, as we here record them, but at their pleasure put in +the individual name of the Negro in their surroundings whom the stanza +being repeated might represent. Thus this little rhyme was the +scientific dividing, on the part of the Negroes themselves, of the +members of their race into three general classes with respect to the +matter of Freedom.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_52_52" id="Footnote_52_52"></a><a href="#FNanchor_52_52"><span class="label">[52]</span></a> The Ohio River.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_53_53" id="Footnote_53_53"></a><a href="#FNanchor_53_53"><span class="label">[53]</span></a> White guards who caught and kept slaves at the master's +home.</p></div> +</div> + +<p><!-- Page 216 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span></p> + +<h3>Foreign Section</h3> + +<h4><span class="smcap">African Rhymes</span></h4> + +<p>The rhymes "Tuba Blay," "Near Waldo Tee-do O mah nah mejai," "Sai +Boddeoh Sumpun Komo," and "Byanswahn-Byanswahn" were kindly contributed +by Mr. John H. Zeigler, Monrovia, Liberia, and Mr. C. T. Wardoh of the +Bassa Tribe, Liberia. They are natives and are now in America for +collegiate study and training.</p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>NEAR-WALDO-TEE-DO O MAH NAH MEJAI<br /> +<span class="poemsub">OR</span><br /> +NEAR-WALDO-TEE-DO IS MY SWEETHEART</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">1. A yehn me doddoc Near Waldo Tee-do.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Yehn me doddoc o-o seoh-o-o.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Omah nahn mejai Near Waldo Tee-do.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Omah nahn mejai Near Waldo Tee-do.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 217 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> +<span class="i0"><i>Translation</i><br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i1">Near Waldo Tee-do gave me a suit.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">He gave me a suit.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Near Waldo Tee-do is my sweetheart.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Near Waldo Tee-do is my sweetheart.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>TUBA BLAY<br /> +<span class="poemsub">OR</span><br /> +AN EVENING SONG</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">1. Seah O, Tuba blay.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Tuba blay, Tuba blay.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">2. O blay wulna nahn blay.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Tuba blay, Tuba blay.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Translation</i><br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">1. Oh please Tuba sing.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Tuba sing, Tuba sing.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">2. Oh sing that song.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Tuba sing, Tuba sing.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> +<h5>THE OWL</h5> + +<p>We are indebted for this Baluba rhyme to Dr. and Mrs. William H. +Sheppard, pioneer missionaries under the Southern Presbyterian Church. +The little production comes from Congo, Africa.</p> + +<div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 218 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span><span class="i0">Sala wa mĕn tĕnge, Cimpungelu.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sala wa mĕn tĕnge, Cimpungelu.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Meme taya wewe, Cimpungelu.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sala wa mĕn tĕnge, Cimpungelu.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Translation</i><br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">The dancing owl waves his spread tail feathers.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">I'm the owl.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The dancing owl waves his spread tail feathers.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">I'm the owl.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I now tell you by my dancing, I'm the owl.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The dancing owl waves his spread tail feathers.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">I'm the owl.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>SAI BODDEOH SUMPUN KOMO<br /> +<span class="poemsub">OR</span><br /> +I AM NOT GOING TO MARRY SUMPUN</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">1. Sai Sumpun komo.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">De Sumpun nenah?<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Sumpun se jello jeppo<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Boddeoh Sumpun.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">2. Sai Sumpun komo.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">De Sumpun nenah?<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Sumpun auch nahn jehn deddoc.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Boddeoh Sumpun.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 219 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span><span class="i0"><i>Translation</i><br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">1. I am not going to marry Sumpun.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">What has Sumpun done?<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Sumpun doesn't live a seafaring life<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Boddeoh Sumpun.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">2. I am not going to marry Sumpun.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">What has Sumpun done?<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Sumpun does not support me.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Boddeoh Sumpun.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>BYANSWAHN-BYANSWAHN<br /> +<span class="poemsub">OR</span><br /> +A BOAT SONG</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ō-Ō Byanswahn blay Tanner tee-o-o.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">O Byanswahn jekah jubha.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">De jo Byanswahn se kah jujah dai.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ō Byanswahn blay dai Tanner tee-o-o.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Translation</i><br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oh boat, come back to me.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Since you carried my child away,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I have not seen that child.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh boat come back to me.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 220 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THE TURKEY BUZZARD</h5> + +<p>Dr. C. C. Fuller: a missionary at Chikore Melsetter, Rhodesia, Africa, +was good enough to secure for the compiler this rhyme, written in +Chindau, from the Rev. John E. Hatch, also a missionary in South Africa.</p> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Riti, riti, mwana wa rashika.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ndizo, ndizo kurgya ku wande.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Riti, riti, mwana wa oneka.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ndizo, ndizo ti wande issu.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Translation</i><br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Turkey buzzard, turkey buzzard, your child is lost.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That is all right, the food will be more plentiful.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Turkey buzzard, turkey buzzard, your child is found.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That is all right, we will increase in number.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 221 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>THE FROGS</h5> + +<p>The following child's play rhyme in Baluba with its translation was +contributed by Mrs. L. G. Sheppard, who was for many years a missionary +in Congo, Africa.</p> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Cula, Cula, Kuya kudi Kunyi?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Tuyiya ku cisila wa Baluba.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Tun kuata tua kuesa cinyi?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Tua kudimuka kua musode.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Translation</i><br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Frogs, frogs, where are you going?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We are going to the market of the Baluba.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">If they catch you, what will they do?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">They will turn us all into lizards.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 222 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span></p> + +<h4><span class="smcap">Jamaica Rhyme</span></h4> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>BUSCHER GARDEN</h5> + +<p>This Negro rhyme from rural Jamaica was contributed by Dr. Cecil B. +Roddock, a native of that country. The word <i>Buscher</i> means an overseer +or master of a plantation.</p> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">All a night, me da watch a brother Wayrum;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wayrum ina me Buscher garden.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh, Brother Wayrum! Wha' a you da do,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To make a me Buscher a catch a you?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh a me Buscher, in a me Buscher garden;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Me a beg a me Buscher a pardon!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 223 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span></p> + +<h4><span class="smcap">Venezuelan Negro Rhymes</span></h4> + +<p>These Venezuelan rhymes: "A 'Would be' Immigrant" and "Game Contestant's +Song," came to us through the kindness of Mr. J. C. Williams, Caracas, +Venezuela, S. A. He is a native of Venezuela.</p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>GAME CONTESTANT'S SONG</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">We're going to dig!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We're going to dig a sepulcher to bury those regiments.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">White Rose Union!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Get yourself in readiness to bury those regiments.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Oh Grentville! <a name="FNanchor_54_54" id="FNanchor_54_54"></a><a href="#Footnote_54_54" class="fnanchor">[54]</a>Cici! Cici!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Beat them forever.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Sa your de vrai!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We'll send them a challenge,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To mardi carnival.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sa your de vrai!!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_54_54" id="Footnote_54_54"></a><a href="#FNanchor_54_54"><span class="label">[54]</span></a> Cici = a kind of game.</p></div> +</div> + +<p><!-- Page 224 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span></p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>A "WOULD BE" IMMIGRANT</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Conjo Celestine! Oh<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He was going to Panama.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Reavay Trinidad!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Celestine Revay, la Grenada!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">What d'you think bring Celestine back?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">What d'you think bring Celestine back?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">What d'you think bring Celestine to me?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Twenty cents for a cup of tea.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 225 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span></p> + +<h4><span class="smcap">Trinidad Negro Rhymes</span></h4> + +<p>We are very grateful to Mr. L. A. Brown for his kindness in giving to us +the two Venezuelan rhymes which follow. His home is in Princess Town, +Trinidad, B. W. I.</p> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>UN BELLE MARIE COOLIE<br /> +<span class="poemsub">OR</span><br /> +BEAUTIFUL MARIE, THE EAST INDIAN</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Un belle Marie Coolie!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Un belle Marie Coolie!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Un belle Marie Coolie!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Vous belle dame, vous belle pour moi.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Papa est un African.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Mamma est un belle Coolie.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Un belle Marie Coolie!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Vous belle dame, vous belle pour moi.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><i>Translation</i><br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Beautiful Marie, the East Indian!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Beautiful Marie, the East Indian!<!-- Page 226 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span><br /></span> +<span class="i0">Beautiful Marie, the East Indian!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You beautiful woman, you're good enough for me.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Papa is an African.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Mamma is a beautiful East Indian.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Beautiful Marie, the East Indian!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You beautiful woman, you're good enough for me.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<div class="poem"> + +<h5>A TOM CAT</h5> + +<div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">My father had a big Tom cat,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That tried to play a fiddle.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He struck it here, and he struck it there,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And he struck it in the middle.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 227 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span></p> + +<h4><span class="smcap">Philippine Island Rhyme</span></h4> + +<p>The following rhyme came to me through the kindness of Mr. C. W. Ransom, +Grand Chain, Ill., U.S.A. Mr. Ransom served three years with the United +States Army in the Philippine Islands.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">See that Monkey up the cocoanut tree,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A-jumpin' an' a-throwin' nuts at me?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">El hombre no savoy,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No like such play.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">All same to Americano,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No hay diqué.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 228 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span></p> +<h2><ins class="correction" title="this heading was absent in the original">PART II</ins><br /><br /> +<span class="smcap">A Study in Negro Folk Rhymes</span></h2> + +<p>The lore of the American Negro is rich in story, in song, and in Folk +rhymes. These stories and songs have been partially recorded, but so far +as I know there is no collection of the American Negro Folk Rhymes. The +collection in Part I is a compilation of American Negro Folk Rhymes, and +this study primarily concerns them; but it was necessary to have a +Foreign Section of Rhymes in order to make our study complete. I have +therefore inserted a little Foreign Section of African, Venezuelan, +Jamaican, Trinidad, and Philippine Negro Rhymes; and along with them +have placed the names of the contributors to whom we are under great +obligations, as well as to the many others who have given valuable +assistance and suggestions in the matter of the American Negro Rhymes +recorded.</p> + +<p>When critically measured by the laws and usages governing the best +English poetry, Negro Folk Rhymes will probably remind readers of the +story of the good brother, who arose solemnly in a Christian<!-- Page 229 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> praise +meeting, and thanked God that he had broken all the Commandments, but +had kept his religion.</p> + +<p>Though decent rhyme is often wanting, and in the case of the "Song to +the Runaway Slave," there is no rhyme at all, the rhythm is found almost +perfect in all of them.</p> + +<p>A few of the Rhymes bear the mark of a somewhat recent date in +composition. The majority of them, however, were sung by Negro fathers +and mothers in the dark days of American slavery to their children who +listened with eyes as large as saucers and drank them down with mouths +wide open. The little songs were similar in structure to the Jubilee +Songs, also of Negro Folk origin.</p> + +<p>If one will but examine the recorded Jubilee songs, he will find that it +is common for stanzas, which are apparently most distantly related in +structure, to sing along in perfect rhythm in the same tune that +carefully counts from measure to measure one, two; or one, two, three, +four. Here is an example of two stanzas taken from the Jubilee song, +"Wasn't That a Wide River?"</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">1. "Old Satan's just like a snake in the grass,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">He's a-watching for to bite you as you pass.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">2. Shout! Shout! Satan's about.<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Just shut your door, and keep him out."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><!-- Page 230 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span></p><p>An examination of stanzas in various Jubilee songs will show in the +same song large variations in poetic feet, etc., not only from stanza to +stanza; but very often from line to line, and even from phrase to +phrase. Notwithstanding all this variation, a well trained band of +singers will render the songs with such perfect rhythm that one scarcely +realizes that the structure of any one stanza differs materially from +that of another.</p> + +<p>A stanza, as it appears in Negro Folk Rhymes, is of the same +construction as that found in the Jubilee Songs. A perfect rhythm is +there. If while reading them you miss it, read yet once again; you will +find it in due season if you "faint not" too early.</p> + +<p>As a rule, Negro Folk verse is so written that it fits into measures of +music written 4/4 or 2/4 time. You can therefore read Negro Folk Rhymes +silently counting: one, two; or, one, two, three, four; and the stanzas +fit directly into the imaginary music measures if you are reading in +harmony with the intended rhythm. I know of only three Jubilee Songs +whose stanzas are transcribed as exceptions. They are—</p> + +<p>(1) "I'm Going to Live with Jesus," 6/8 time, (2) "Gabriel's Trumpet's +Going to Blow," 3/4 time, and (3) "Lord Make Me More Patient," 6/8 +time.<!-- Page 231 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> It is interesting to note along with these that the "Song of the +Great Owl," the "Negro Soldier's Civil War Chant," and "Destitute Former +Slave Owners," are seemingly the only ones in our Folk Rhyme collection +which would call for a 3/4 or 6/8 measure. Such a measure is rare in all +literary Negro Folk productions.</p> + +<p>The Negro, then, repeated or sang his Folk Rhymes, and danced them to +4/4 and 2/4 measures. Thus Negro Folk Rhymes, with very few exceptions, +are poetry where a music measure is the unit of measurement for the +words rather than the poetic foot. This is true whether the Rhyme is, or +is not, sung. <i>Imaginary measures either of two or four beats, with a +given number of words to a beat, a number that can be varied limitedly +at will, seems to be the philosophy underlying all Negro slave rhyme +construction.</i></p> + +<p>As has just been casually mentioned, the Negro Folk Rhyme was used for +the dance. There are Negro Folk Rhyme Dance Songs and Negro Folk Dance +Rhymes. An example of the former is found in "The Banjo Picking," and of +the latter, "Juba," both found in this collection. The reader may wonder +how a Rhyme simply repeated was used in the dance. The procedure was as +follows: Usually<!-- Page 232 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> one or two individuals "star" danced at time. The +others of the crowd (which was usually large) formed a circle about this +one or two who were to take their prominent turn at dancing. I use the +terms "star" danced and "prominent turn" because in the latter part of +our study we shall find that all those present engaged sometimes at +intervals in the dance. But those forming the circle, for most of the +time, repeated the Rhyme, clapping their hands together, and patting +their feet in rhythmic time with the words of the Rhyme being repeated. +It was the task of the dancers in the middle of the circle to execute +some graceful dance in such a manner that their feet would beat a tattoo +upon the ground answering to every word, and sometimes to every syllable +of the Rhyme being repeated by those in the circle. There were many such +Rhymes. "'Possum Up the Gum Stump," and "Jawbone" are good examples. The +stanzas to these Rhymes were not usually limited to two or three, as is +generally the case with those recorded in our collection. Each selection +usually had many stanzas. Thus as there came variation in the words from +stanza to stanza, the skill of the dancers was taxed to its utmost, in +order to keep up the graceful dance and to beat a changed tattoo upon +the ground corresponding to the<!-- Page 233 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> changed words. If any find fault with +the limited number of stanzas recorded in our treatise, I can in apology +only sing the words of a certain little encore song each of whose two +little stanzas ends with the words, "Please don't call us back, because +we don't know any more."</p> + +<p>There is a variety of Dance Rhyme to which it is fitting to call +attention. This variety is illustrated in our collection by "Jump Jim +Crow," and "Juba." In such dances as these, the dancers were required to +give such movements of body as would act the sentiment expressed by the +words while keeping up the common requirements of beating these same +words in a tattoo upon the ground with the feet and executing +simultaneously a graceful dance.</p> + +<p>It is of interest also to note that the antebellum Negro while repeating +his Rhymes which had no connection with the dance usually accompanied +the repeating with the patting of his foot upon the ground. Among other +things he was counting off the invisible measures and bars of his +Rhymes, things largely unseen by the world but very real to him. Every +one who has listened to a well sung Negro Jubilee Song knows that it is +almost impossible to hear one sung and not pat the foot. I have seen the +feet of the coldest blooded Caucasians<!-- Page 234 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> pat right along while Jubilee +melodies were being sung.</p> + +<p>All Negro Folk productions, including the Negro Folk Rhymes, seem to +call for this patting of the foot. The explanation which follows is +offered for consideration. The orchestras of the Native African were +made up largely of crudely constructed drums of one sort or another. +Their war songs and so forth were sung to the accompaniment of these +drum orchestras. When the Negroes were transported to America, and began +to sing songs and to chant words in another tongue, they still sang +strains calling, through inheritance, for the accompaniment of their +ancestral drum. The Negro's drum having fallen from him as he entered +civilization, he unwittingly called into service his foot to take its +place. This substitution finds a parallelism in the highly cultivated La +France rose, which being without stamens and pistils must be propagated +by cuttings or graftings instead of by seeds. The rose, purposeless, +emits its sweet perfume to the breezes and thus it attracts insects for +cross fertilization simply because its staminate and pistillate +ancestors thus called the insect world for that purpose. The rattle of +the crude drum of the Native African was loud by inheritance in the +hearts of his early American de<!-- Page 235 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span>scendants and its unseen ghost walks in +the midst of all their poetry.</p> + +<p>Many Negro Folk Rhymes were used as banjo and fiddle (violin) songs. It +ought to be borne in mind, however, that even these were quite often +repeated without singing or playing. It was common in the early days of +the public schools of the South to hear Negro children use them as +declamations. The connection, however, of Negro Folk Rhymes with their +secular music productions is well worthy of notice.</p> + +<p>I have often heard those who liked to think and discuss things musical, +wonder why little or no music of a secular kind worth while seemed to be +found among Negroes while their religious music, the Jubilee Songs, have +challenged the admiration of the world. The songs of most native peoples +seem to strike "high water mark" in the secular form. Probably numbers +of us have heard the explanation: "You see, the Negro is deeply +emotional; religion appealed to him as did nothing else. The Negro +therefore spent his time singing and shouting praises to God, who alone +could whisper in his heart and stir up these emotions." There is perhaps +much truth in this explanation. It is also such a delicate and high +compliment to the Negro race,<!-- Page 236 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> that I hesitate to touch it. One of the +very few gratifying things that has come to Negroes is the unreserved +recognition of their highly religious character. There is a truth, +however, about the relation between the Negro Folk Rhyme and the Negro's +banjo and fiddle music which ought to be told even though some older, +nicer viewpoints might be a little shifted.</p> + +<p>There were quite a few Rhymes sung where the banjo and fiddle formed +what is termed in music a simple accompaniment. Examples of these are +found in "Run, Nigger, Run," and "I'll Wear Me a Cotton Dress." In such +cases the music consisted of simple short tunes unquestionably "born to +die."</p> + +<p>There was another class of Rhymes like "Devilish Pigs," that were used +with the banjo and fiddle in quite another way. It was the banjo and +fiddle productions of this kind of Rhyme that made the "old time" Negro +banjo picker and fiddler famous. It has caused quite a few, who heard +them, to declare that, saint or sinner, it was impossible to keep your +feet still while they played. The compositions were comparatively long. +From one to four lines of a Negro Folk Rhyme were sung to the opening +measures of the instrumental composition; then followed the larger and +remaining part of the composition,<!-- Page 237 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> instruments alone. In the Rhyme +"Devilish Pigs" four lines were used at a time. Each time that the music +theme of the composition was repeated, another set of Rhyme lines was +repeated; and the variations in the music theme were played in each +repeat which recalled the newly repeated words of the Rhyme. The ideal +in composition from an instrumental viewpoint might quite well remind +one of the ideal in piano compositions, which consists of a theme with +variations. The first movement of Beethoven's Sonata, Opus 26, +illustrates the music ideal in composition to which I refer.</p> + +<p>So far as I know no Caucasian instrumental music composer has ever +ordered the performers under his direction to sing a few of the first +measures of his composition while the string division of the orchestra +played its opening chords. Only the ignorant Negro composer has done +this. Some white composers have made little approaches to it. A fair +sample of an approach is found in the Idylls of Edward McDowell, for +piano, where every exquisite little tone picture is headed by some gem +in verse, reading which the less musically gifted may gain a deeper +insight into the philosophical tone discourse set forth in the notes and +chords of the composition.</p> + +<p>The Negro Folk Rhyme, then, furnished the ideas<!-- Page 238 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> about which the "old +time" Negro banjo picker and fiddler clustered his best instrumental +music thoughts. It is too bad that this music passed away unrecorded +save by the hearts of men. Paul Laurence Dunbar depicts its telling +effects upon the hearer in his poem "The Party":</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Cripple Joe, de ole rheumatic, danced dat flo' frum side to middle.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Throwed away his crutch an' hopped it, what's rheumatics 'gainst a fiddle?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Eldah Thompson got so tickled dat he lak to los' his grace,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Had to take bofe feet an' hold 'em, so's to keep 'em in deir place.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' de Christuns an' de sinnahs got so mixed up on dat flo',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Dat I don't see how dey's pahted ef de trump had chonced to blow."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Perhaps a new school of orchestral music might be built on the Negro +idea that some of the performers sing a sentence or so here and there, +both to assist the hearers to a clearer musical understanding and to +heighten the general artistic finish. The old Negro performers generally +sang lines of the Folk Rhymes at the opening but occasionally in the<!-- Page 239 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> +midst of their instrumental compositions. I do not recall any case where +lines were sung to the closing measures of the compositions.</p> + +<p>It might seem odd to some that the grotesque Folk Rhyme should have +given rise to comparatively long instrumental music compositions. I +think the explanation is probably very simple. The African on his native +heath had his crude ancestral drum as his leading musical instrument. He +sang or shouted his war songs consisting of a few words, and of a few +notes, then followed them up with the beating of his drum, perhaps for +many minutes, or even for hours. In civilization, the banjo, fiddle, +"quills," and "triangle" largely took the place of his drum. Thus the +singing of opening strains and following them with the main body of the +instrumental composition, is in keeping with the Negro's inherited law +for instrumental compositions from his days of savagery. The rattling, +distinct tones of the banjo, recalling unconsciously his inherited love +for the rattle of the African ancestral drum, is probably the thing +which caused that instrument to become a favorite among Negro slaves.</p> + +<p>I would next consider the relation of the Folk Rhymes to Negro child +life. They were instilled into children as warnings. In the years +closely following<!-- Page 240 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> our Civil War, it was common for a young Negro child, +about to engage in a doubtful venture, to hear his mother call out to +him the Negro Rhyme recorded by Joel Chandler Harris, in the Negro +story, "The End of Mr. Bear":</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Tree stan' high, but honey mighty sweet—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Watch dem bees wid stingers on der feet."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>These lines commonly served to recall the whole story, it being the +Rabbit's song in that story, and the child stopped whatever he was +doing. Other and better examples of such Rhymes are "Young Master and +Old Master," "The Alabama Way," and "You Had Better Mind Master," found +in our collection.</p> + +<p>The warnings were commonly such as would help the slave to escape more +successfully the lash, and to live more comfortably under slave +conditions. I would not for once intimate that I entertain the thought +that the ignorant slave carefully and philosophically studied his +surroundings, reasoned it to be a fine method to warn children through +poetry, composed verse, and like a wise man proceeded to use it. Of +course thinking preceded the making of the Rhyme, but a conscious system +of making verses<!-- Page 241 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> for the purpose did not exist. I have often watched +with interest a chicken hen lead forth her brood of young for the first +time. While the scratching and feeding are going on, all of a sudden the +hen utters a loud shriek, and flaps her wings. The little chicks, +although they have never seen a hawk, scurry hither and thither, and so +prostrate their little brown and ashen bodies upon the ground as almost +to conceal themselves. The Negro Folk Rhymes of warning must be looked +upon a little in this same light. They are but the strains of terror +given by the promptings of a mother instinct full enough of love to give +up life itself for its defenseless own.</p> + +<p>Many Rhymes were used to convey to children the common sense truths of +life, hidden beneath their comic, crudely cut coats. Good examples are +"Old Man Know-All," "Learn to Count," and "Shake the Persimmons Down." +All through the Rhymes will be found here and there many stanzas full of +common uncommon sense, worthwhile for children.</p> + +<p>Many Negro Folk Rhymes repeated or sung to children on their parents' +knees were enlarged and told to them as stories, when they became older. +The Rhyme in our collection on "Judge Buzzard" is one of this kind. In +the Negro version of the<!-- Page 242 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> race between the hare and the tortoise +("rabbit and terrapin"), the tortoise wins not through the hare's going +to sleep, but through a gross deception of all concerned, including even +the buzzard who acted as Judge. The Rhyme is a laugh on "Jedge Buzzard." +It was commonly repeated to Negro children in olden days when they +passed erroneous judgments. "Buckeyed rabbit! Whoopee!" in our volume +belongs with the Negro story recorded by Joel Chandler Harris under the +title, "How Mr. Rabbit Lost His Fine Bushy Tail," though for some reason +Mr. Harris failed to weave it into the story as was the Negro custom. +"The Turtle's Song," in our collection, is another, which belongs with +the story, "Mr. Terrapin Shows His Strength"; a Negro story given to the +world by the same author, though the Rhyme was not recorded by him. It +might be of interest to know that the Negroes, when themselves telling +the Folk stories, usually sang the Folk Rhyme portions to little +"catchy" Negro tunes. I would not under any circumstances intimate that +Mr. Harris carelessly left them out. He recorded many little stanzas in +the midst of the stories. Examples are:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">(a) "We'll stay at home when you're away<br /></span> +<span class="i2">'Cause no gold won't pay toll."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 243 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> + +<span class="i0">(b) "Big bird catch, little bird sing.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Bug bee zoom, little bee sting.<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Little man lead, and the big horse follow,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Can you tell what's good for a head in a hollow?"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>These and many others are fragmentarily recorded among Mr. Harris' Negro +stories in "Nights With Uncle Remus."</p> + +<p>Folk Rhymes also formed in many cases the words of Negro Play Songs. +"Susie Girl," and "Peep Squirrel," found in our collection, are good +illustrations of the Rhymes used in this way. The words and the music of +such Rhymes were usually of poor quality. When, however, they were sung +by children with the proper accompanying body movements, they might +quite well remind one of the "Folk Dances" used in the present best +up-to-date Primary Schools. They were the little rays of sunshine in the +dark dreary monotonous lives of black slave children.</p> + +<p>Possibly the thing which will impress the reader most in reading Negro +Folk Rhymes is their good-natured drollery and sparkling nonsense. I +believe this is very important. Many have recounted in our hearing, the +descriptions of "backwoods" Negro<!-- Page 244 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> picnics. I have witnessed some of +them where the good-natured vender of lemonade and cakes cried out:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Here's yō' cōl' ice lemonade,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It's made in de shade,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It's stirred wid a spade.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Come buy my cōl' ice lemonade.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It's made in de shade<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' sōl' in de sun.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ef you hain't got no money,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You cain't git none.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">One glass fer a nickel,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' two fer a dime,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ef you hain't got de chink,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">You cain't git mine.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Come right dis way,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Fer it shō' will pay<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To git candy fer de ladies<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' cakes fer de babies."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"Did these venders sell?" Well, all agree that they did. The same +principle applied, with much of the nonsense eliminated, will probably +make of the Negro a great merchant, as caste gives way enough to allow +him a common man's business chance. Of all the races of men, the Negro +alone has demonstrated<!-- Page 245 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> his ability to come into contact with the white +man and neither move on nor be annihilated. I believe this is largely +due to his power to muster wit and humor on all occasions, and even to +laugh in the face of adversity. He refused during the days of slavery to +take the advice of Job's wife, and to "Curse God and die." He repeated +and sang his comic Folk Rhymes, danced, lived, and came out of the Night +of Bondage comparatively strong.</p> + +<p>The compiler of the Rhymes was quite interested to find that as a rule +the country-reared Negro had a larger acquaintance with Folk Rhymes than +one brought up in the city. The human mind craves occasional recreation, +entertainment, and amusement. In cities where there is an almost +continuous passing along the crowded thoroughfares of much that +contributes to these ends, the slave Negro needed only to keep his eyes +open, his ears attentive, and laugh. He directed his life accordingly. +But, in the country districts there was only the monotony of quiet woods +and waving fields of cotton. The rural scenes, though beautiful in +themselves, refuse to amuse or entertain those who will not hold +communion with them. The country Negro longing for amusement communed in +his crude way, and Nature gave him Folk Rhymes for entertainment. Among<!-- Page 246 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> +those found to be clearly of this kind may be mentioned "The Great Owl's +Song," "Tails," "Redhead Woodpecker," "The Snail's Reply," "Bob-white's +Song," "Chuck Will's Widow Song," and many others.</p> + +<p>The Folk Rhymes were not often repeated as such or as whole compositions +by the "grown-ups" among Negroes apart from the Play and the Dance. If, +however, you had had an argument with an antebellum Negro, had gotten +the better of the argument, and he still felt confident that he was +right, you probably would have heard him close his side of the debate +with the words: "Well, 'Ole Man Know-All is Dead.'" This is only a short +prosaic version of his rhyme "Old Man Know-All," found in our +collection. Many of the characteristic sayings of "Uncle Remus" woven +into story by Joel Chandler Harris had their origin in these Folk +Rhymes. "Dem dat know too much sleep under de ash-hopper" (Uncle Remus) +clearly intimates to all who know about the old-fashioned ash-hopper +that such an individual lies. This saying is a part of another stanza of +"Old Man Know-All," but I cannot recall it from my dim memory of the +past, and others whom I have asked seem equally unable to do so, though +they have once known it.</p> + +<p>As is the case with all things of Folk origin,<!-- Page 247 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> there is usually more +than one version of each Negro Folk Rhyme. In many cases the exercising +of a choice between many versions was difficult. I can only express the +hope that my choices have been wise.</p> + +<p>There are two American Negro Folk Rhymes in our collection: "Frog in a +Mill" and "Tree Frogs," which are oddities in "language." They are +rhymes of a rare type of Negro, which has long since disappeared. They +were called "Ebo" Negroes and "Guinea" Negroes. The so-called "Ebo" +Negro used the word "la" very largely for the word "the." This and some +other things have caused me to think that the "Ebo" Negro was probably +one who was first a slave among the French, Spanish, or Portuguese, and +was afterwards sold to an English-speaking owner. Thus his language was +a mixture of African, English, and one of these languages. The so-called +"Guinea" Negro was simply one who had not been long from Africa; his +language being a mixture of his African tongue and English. These rhymes +are to the ordinary Negro rhymes what "Jutta Cord la" in "Nights with +Uncle Remus," by Joel Chandler Harris, is to the ordinary Negro stories +found there. They are probably representative, in language, of the most +primitive Negro Folk productions.</p> + +<p>Some of the rhymes are very old indeed. If one<!-- Page 248 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> will but read "Master Is +Six Feet One Way," found in our collection, he will find in it a +description of a slave owner attired in Colonial garb. It clearly +belongs, as to date of composition, either to Colonial days, or to the +very earliest years of the American Republic. When we consider it as a +slave rhyme, it is far from crudest, notwithstanding the early period of +its production.</p> + +<p>If one carefully studies our collection of rhymes, he will probably get +a new and interesting picture of the Negro's mental attitude and +reactions during the days of his enslavement. One of these mental +reactions is calculated to give one a surprise. One would naturally +expect the Negro under hard, trying, bitter slave conditions, to long to +be white. There is a remarkable Negro Folk rhyme which shows that this +was not the case. This rhyme is: "I'd Rather Be a Negro Than a Poor +White Man." We must bear in mind that a Folk Rhyme from its very nature +carries in it the crystallized thought of the masses. This rhyme, though +a little acidic and though we have recorded the milder version, leaves +the unquestioned conclusion that, though the Negro masses may have +wished for the exalted station of the rich Southern white man and +possibly would have willingly had a white color as a passport to +position, there never<!-- Page 249 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> was a time when the Negro masses desired to be +white for the sake of being white. Of course there is the Negro rhyme, +"I Wouldn't Marry a Black Girl," but along with it is another Negro +rhyme, "I Wouldn't Marry a White or a Yellow Negro Girl." The two rhymes +simply point out together a division of Negro opinion as to the ideal +standard of beauty in personal complexion. One part of the Negroes +thought white or yellow the more beautiful standard and the other part +of the Negroes thought black the more beautiful standard.</p> + +<p>The body of the Rhymes, here and there, carries many facts between the +lines, well worth knowing.</p> + +<p>This collection also will shed some light on how the Negro managed to go +through so many generations "in slavery and still come out" with a +bright, capable mind. There were no colleges or schools for them, but +there were Folk Rhymes, stories, Jubilee songs, and Nature; they used +these and kept mentally fit.</p> + +<p>I now approach the more difficult and probably the most important +portion of my discussion in the Study of Negro Folk Rhymes. It is a +discussion that I would have willingly omitted, had I not thought that +some one owed it to the world. Seeing a debt, as I thought, and not +seeing another to pay<!-- Page 250 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> it, I have reluctantly undertaken to discharge +the obligation.</p> + +<p>If I were so fortunate as to possess a large flower garden with many new +and rare genera and species, and wished to acquaint my friends with +them, I should first take these friends for a walk through the garden, +that they might see the odd tints and hues, might inhale a little of the +new fragrance, and might get some idea as to the prospects for the +utilization of these new plants in the world. Then, taking these friends +back to my study room, I should consider in a friendly manner along with +them, the Families and the Species, and the varieties. Finally, I should +endeavor to lay before them from whence these new and strange flowers +came. I have endeavored to pursue this method in my discussion of the +Negro Folk Rhymes. In the foregoing I have endeavored to take the +friendly reader for a walk through this new and strange garden of +Rhymes, and I now extend an invitation to him to come into the Study +Room for a more critical view of them.</p> + +<p>When one enters upon the slightest contemplation of Negro Folk Rhyme +classification, and is kind-hearted enough to dignify them with a claim +to kinship to real poetry, the word <i>Ballad</i> rolls out without the +slightest effort, as a term that takes them all<!-- Page 251 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> in. Yes, this is very +true, but they are of a strange type indeed. They are Nature Ballads, +many of them, in the sense as ordinarily used. In quite another sense, +however, from that in which Nature Ballad is ordinarily used, about all +Folk Rhymes are Nature Ballads.</p> + +<p>I do not have reference to the thought content, but have reference to +what I term Nature Ballads in form. Permit me to explain by analogy just +what I would convey by the term Nature Ballad in form.</p> + +<p>All Nature is one. Though we arbitrarily divide Nature's objects for +study, they are indissolubly bound together and every part carries in +some part of its constitution some well defined marks which characterize +the other parts with which it has no immediate connection. To +illustrate: the absolutely pure sapphire, pure aluminic oxide, +crystallized, is commonly colorless, but we know that Nature's most +beautiful sapphires are not colorless, but are blue, and of other +beautiful tints. These color tints are due to minutest traces of other +substances, not at all of general common sapphire composition. We call +them all sapphires, however, regardless of their little impurities which +are present to enhance their charm and beauty. Likewise, all animal life +begins with one cell, and though the one cell in one case develops<!-- Page 252 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> into +a vertebrate, and in another case into an invertebrate the cells persist +and so all animal life has cellular structure in common. Yet, each +animal branch has predominant traits that distinguish it from all other +branches. This same thing is true of plants.</p> + +<p>Nature's method, then, of making things seems to be to put in a large +enough amount of one thing to brand the article, and then to mix in, in +small amounts, enough of other things to lend charm and beauty without +taking the article out of its general class.</p> + +<p>This is that which goes to make Negro Folk Rhymes Nature Ballads in +form. They are ballads, but all in the midst of even a Dance Song, by +Nature an ordinary ballad, there may be interwoven comedy, tragedy, and +nearly every kind of imaginable thing which goes rather with other +general forms of poetry than with the ballad. As an example, in the +Dance Song, "Promises of Freedom," we have mustered before our eyes the +comic drawing of a deceptive ugly old Mistress and then follows the +intimation of the tragic death of a poisoned slave owner, and as we are +tempted to dance along in thought with the rhymer, we cannot escape +getting the subtle impression that this slave had at least some "vague"<!-- Page 253 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> +personal knowledge of how the Master got that poison. It is a common +easy-going ballad, but it is tinted with tragedy and comedy. This +general principle will be found to run very largely through the highest +types of Negro Folk Rhymes. It is the Nature method of construction, and +thus we call them Nature Ballads in structure, or form.</p> + +<p>Other good examples of rhymes, Nature Ballads in structure, are "Frog +Went a-Courting," "Sheep Shell Corn," "Jack and Dinah Want Freedom."</p> + +<p>I now direct attention further to the classification of Negro Rhymes as +Ballads. My earnest desire was to classify Negro Rhymes under ordinary +headings such as are used by literary men and women everywhere in their +general classification of Ballads. I considered this very important +because it would enable students of comparative Literature to compare +easily the Negro Folk Rhymes with the Folk Rhymes of all peoples. I was +much disappointed when I found that the Negro Folk Rhymes, when invited, +refused to take their places whole-heartedly in the ordinary +classification. As an example of many may be mentioned the little Rhyme +"Jaybird." It is a Dance Song, and thus comes under the Dance Song +Division, commonly used for Ballads. But, it also belongs under Nature +Lore heading, because<!-- Page 254 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> the Negroes many years ago often told a story, in +conjunction with song, of the great misfortunes which overtook a Negro +who tried to get his living by hunting Jaybirds. Finally it also belongs +under the heading Superstitions, for its last stanza very plainly +alludes to the old Negro superstition of slavery days which declared +that it was almost impossible to find Jaybirds on Friday because they +went to Hades on that day to carry sand to the Devil.</p> + +<p>But so important do I think of comparative study that I have taken the +ordinary headings used for Ballads and, after adding that omnibus +heading "Miscellaneous," have done my best. The majority of the Rhymes +can be placed under headings ordinarily used. This was to be expected. +It is in obedience to Natural Law. We see it in the Music World. The +Caucasian music has eight fundamental tones, the Japanese music has +five, while, according to some authorities, Negro Jubilee-music has +nine; yet all these music scales have five tones in common. In the +Periodic System of Elements there are two periods; a short period and a +long period, but both periods embrace, in common, elements belonging to +the same family. So with the Ballads, certain classification headings +will very well take in both the Negro and all others. The Negro<!-- Page 255 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> Ballad, +however, does not entirely properly fit in. I have therefore resorted to +the following expedient: I have taken the headings ordinarily used, and +have listed under each heading the Negro Rhymes which belong with it, as +nearly as possible. I have placed this classified list at the end of the +book, under the title "Comparative Study Index." By using this Index one +can locate and compare Negro Folk productions with the corresponding +Folk productions of other peoples.</p> + +<p>The headings found in this Comparative Study Index are as follows:</p> + +<ol> +<li>Love Songs.</li> +<li>Dance Songs.</li> +<li>Animal and Nature Lore.</li> +<li>Nursery Rhymes.</li> +<li>Charms and Superstitions.</li> +<li>Hunting Songs.</li> +<li>Drinking Songs.</li> +<li>Wise and Gnomic Sayings.</li> +<li>Harvest Songs.</li> +<li>Biblical and Religious Themes.</li> +<li>Play Songs.</li> +<li>Miscellaneous.</li> +</ol> + +<p>With the way paved for others to make such comparative study as they +would like, I now feel free<!-- Page 256 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> to use a classification which lends itself +more easily to a discussion of the origin and evolution of Negro Rhyme. +The basic principle used in this classification is Origin and under each +source of origin is placed the various classes of Rhymes produced. It +has seemed to the writer, who is himself a Negro, and has spent his +early years in the midst of the Rhymes and witnessed their making, that +there are three great divisions derived from three great mainsprings or +sources.</p> + +<p>The Divisions are as follows:</p> + +<ol class="roman"> +<li>Rhymes derived from the Social Instinct.</li> +<li>Rhymes derived from the Homing Instinct.</li> +<li>Rhymes of Psycho-composite origin.</li> +</ol> + +<p>The terms Social and Homing Instincts are familiar to every one, but the +term Psycho-composite was coined by the writer after much hesitation and +with much regret because he seemed unable to find a word which would +express what he had in mind.</p> + +<p>To make clear: the classes of Rhymes falling under Divisions I and II +owe their crudest initial beginnings to instinct, while those under +Division III owe their crudest beginnings partly to instinct, but partly +also to intelligent thinking processes. To illustrate—Courtship Rhymes +come under Division II, because courtship primarily arises from the +homing<!-- Page 257 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> instinct, but when we come to "quasi" wise sayings—directed +largely to criticism or toward improvement, there is very much more than +instinct concerned. In Division III the Rhymes are directed largely to +improvement. In explanation of why they are in Division III, I would +say, the desire to better one's condition is instinctive, but the +slightest attainment of the desire comes through thought pure and +simple. I have invented the term Psycho-composite to include all this.</p> + +<p>In reading the Rhymes under Division III, one finds comparatively large, +abstract, general conclusions, such as—General loquaciousness is +unwise: Assuming to know everything is foolish: Self-control is a great +virtue. Proper preparation must be made before presuming to give +instruction, etc. Such generalizations involve something not necessarily +present in the crudest initiations of such Rhymes as those found under +Divisions I and II. Below is a tabular view of my proposed +classification of Negro Folk Rhymes:</p> + +<table border="0" summary="Classification of Negro Folk Rhymes"> + +<tr class="smcap" align="center"> + <th>Division</th> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + <th>Class</th> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td rowspan="4" class="center">I. Social Instinct<br /> Rhymes</td> +<td rowspan="2" class="b-rb"> </td> +<td rowspan="2" class="b-lt"> </td> +<td>1. Dance Rhymes</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>2. Dance Rhyme Songs</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td rowspan="2" class="b-rt"> </td> +<td rowspan="2" class="b-lb"> </td> +<td>3. Play Songs</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>4. Pastime Rhymes</td> +<td><!-- Page 258 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span></td> +</tr> + +<tr><td> </td> +<td> </td> +<td> </td> +<td> </td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td rowspan="4" class="center">II. Homing Instinct <br />Rhymes</td> + <td rowspan="2" class="b-rb"> </td> + <td rowspan="2" class="b-lt"> </td> + <td>1. Love Rhymes</td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td>2. Courtship Rhymes</td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td rowspan="2" class="b-rt"> </td> + <td rowspan="2" class="b-lb"> </td> + <td>3. Marriage Rhymes</td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td>4. Married Life Rhymes</td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td rowspan="2" class="center">III. Psycho-composite <br />Rhymes</td> + <td rowspan="1" class="b-rb"> </td> + <td rowspan="1" class="b-lt"> </td> + <td rowspan="2">1. Criticism and Improvement Rhymes</td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td rowspan="1" class="b-rt"> </td> + <td rowspan="1" class="b-lb"> </td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p>Under this tabulation, let us now proceed to discuss the Origin and +Evolution of Negro Folk Rhymes.</p> + +<p>Early in my discussion the reader will recall that I explained in +considerable detail how the Dance Rhyme words were used in the dance. I +am now ready to announce that the Dance Rhyme was derived from the +dance, and to explain how the Dance Rhyme became an evolved product of +the dance.</p> + +<p>I witnessed in my early childhood the making of a few Dance Rhymes. I +have forgotten the words of most of those whose individual making I +witnessed but the "Jonah's Band Party" found in our collection is one +whose making I distinctly recall. I shall tell in some detail of its +origin because it serves in a measure to illustrate how the Dance Rhymes +probably had their beginnings. First of all be it known that there was a +"step" in dancing, originated<!-- Page 259 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> by some Negro somewhere, called "Jonah's +Band" step. There is no need that I should try to describe that step +which, though of the plain dance type, was accompanied from the +beginning to the end by indescribable "frills" of foot motion. I can't +describe it, but if one will take a stick and cause it to tap so as to +knock the words: "Setch a kickin' up san'! Jonah's band," while he +repeats the words in the time of 2/4 music measure, the taps will +reproduce the tattoo beaten upon the ground by the feet of the dancers, +when they danced the "Jonah's Band" step. The dancers formed a circle +placing two or more of their skilled dancers in the middle of it. Now +when I first witnessed this dance, there were no words said at all. +There was simply patting with the hands and dancing, making a tattoo +which might be well represented by the words supplied later on in its +existence. Later, I witnessed the same dance, where the patting and +dancing were as usual, but one man, apparently the leader, was simply +crying out the words, "Setch a kickin' up san'!" and the crowd answered +with the words, "Jonah's Band!"—the words all being repeated in +rhythmic harmony with the patting and dancing. Thus was born the line, +"Setch a kickin' up san'! Jonah's Band!" In some places it was the<!-- Page 260 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> +custom to call on the dancers to join with those of the circle, at +intervals in the midst of the dance, in dancing other steps than the +Jonah's Band step. Some dance leaders, for example, simply called in +plain prose—"Dance the Mobile Buck," others calling for another step +would rhyme their call. Thus arose the last lines to each stanza, such +as—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Raise yō' right foot, kick it up high!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Knock dat 'Mobile Buck' in de eye!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>This is the genesis of the "Jonah's Band Party," found in our +collection. The complete rhyme becomes a fine description of an old-time +Negro party. It is probable that much Dance Rhyme making originated in +this or a similar way.</p> + +<p>Let us assume that Negro customs in Slavery days were what they were in +my childhood days, then it would come about that such an ocasional Rhyme +making in a crowd would naturally stimulate individual Rhyme makers, and +from these individuals would naturally grow up "crops" of Dance Rhymes. +Of course I cannot absolutely know, but I think when I witnessed the +making of the "Jonah's Band Party," that I witnessed the stimulus which +had produced the Dance Rhyme through the decades of preceding years. I +realize, however, that this does<!-- Page 261 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> not account for the finished Rhyme +products. It simply gives one source of origin. How the Rhyme grew to +its complex structure will be discussed later, because that discussion +belongs not to the Dance Rhyme alone, but to all the Rhymes.</p> + +<p>There was a final phase of development of "Jonah's Band Party" witnessed +by the writer; namely, the singing of the lines, "Setch a kickin' up +san'! Jonah's Band!" The last lines of the stanzas, the lines calling +for another step on the part of both the circle and the dancers, were +never sung to my knowledge. The little tune to the first lines consisted +of only four notes, and is inserted below.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> +<img src="images/jonah.png" width="450" height="142" alt="Jonah's Band Musical Notation" title="" /> +</div> +<p class="center"><a href="music/276-jonah.midi">[Listen]</a></p> + +<p>I give this as of interest because it marks a partial transition from a +Dance Rhyme to a Dance Rhyme Song. In days of long ago I occasionally +saw a Dance Rhyme Song "patted and danced" instead of sung or played and +danced. This coupled with the transition stage of the "Jonah's Band +Dance"<!-- Page 262 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> just given has caused me to believe that Dance Rhyme Songs were +probably evolved from Dance Rhymes pure and simple, through individuals +putting melodies to these Dance Rhymes.</p> + +<p>As Dance Rhymes came from the dance, so likewise Play Rhymes came from +plays. I shall now discuss the one found in our collection under the +caption—"Goosie-gander." Since the Play has probably passed from the +memory of most persons, I shall tell how it was played. The children +(and sometimes those in their teens) sat in a circle. One individual, +the leader, walked inside the circle, from child to child, and said to +each in turn, "Goosie-gander." If the child answered "Goose," the leader +said, "I turn your ears loose," and went on to the next child. If he +answered "Gander," the leader said, "I pull yō' years 'way yander." Then +ensued a scuffle between the two children; each trying to pull the +other's ears. The fun for the circle came from watching the scuffle. +Finally the child who got his ears pulled took his place in the circle, +leaving the victor as master of ceremonies to call out the challenge +"Goosie-gander!" The whole idea of the play is borrowed from the +fighting of the ganders of a flock of geese for their mates. Many other +plays were likewise borrowed from Nature. Examples are<!-- Page 263 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> found in "Hawk +and Chickens Play," and "Fox and Geese Play." "Caught by a Witch Play" +is borrowed from superstition. But to return to "Goosie-gander"—most +children of our childhood days played it, using common prose in the +calls, and answers just as we have here described it. A few children +here and there so gave their calls and responses as to rhyme them into a +kind of a little poem as it is recorded in our collection. Without +further argument, I think it can hardly be doubted that the whole thing +began as a simple prose call, and response, and that some child inclined +to rhyming things, started "to do the rest," and was assisted in +accomplishing the task by other children equally or more gifted. This +reasonably accounts for the origin of the Play Rhyme.</p> + +<p>Now what of the Play Rhyme Songs? There were many more Play Rhyme Songs +than Play Rhymes. There were some of the Play Rhyme Songs sung in prose +version by some children and the same Play Song would be sung in rhymed +version by other children. Likewise the identical Play Song would not be +sung at all by other children; they would simply repeat the words as in +the case of the Rhyme "Goosie-gander," just discussed. The little Play +Song found in our collection under<!-- Page 264 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> the caption, "Did You Feed My Cow?" +is one which was current in my childhood in the many versions as just +indicated. The general thought in the story of the Rhyme was the same in +all versions whether prose or rhyme, or song. In cases where children +repeated it instead of singing it, it was generally in prose and the +questions were so framed by the leader that all the general responses by +the crowd were "Yes, Ma'am!" Where it was sung, it was invariably +rhymed; and the version found in this collection was about the usual +one.</p> + +<p>The main point in the discussion at this juncture is—that there were +large numbers of Play Songs like this one found in the transition stage +from plain prose to repeated rhyme, and to sung rhyme. Such a status +leaves little doubt that the Play Song travelled this general road in +its process of evolution.</p> + +<p>I might take up the Courtship Rhymes, and show that they are derivatives +of Courtship, and so on to the end of all the classes given in my +outline, but since the evidences and arguments in all the cases are +essentially the same I deem it unnecessary.</p> + +<p>I now turn attention to a peculiar general ideal in Form found in Negro +Folk Rhymes. It probably is not generally known that the Negroes, who +emerged from the House of Bondage in the 60's of the last<!-- Page 265 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> century, had +themselves given a name to their own peculiar form of verse. If it be +known I am rather confident that it has never been written. They named +the parts of their verse "Call," and (Re) "Sponse." After explaining +what is meant by "call" and "sponse," I shall submit an evidence on the +matter. In its simplest form "call" and "sponse" were what we would call +in Caucasian music, solo and chorus. As an example, in the little Play +Song used in our illustration of Play Songs, "Did You Feed My Cow?" was +sung as a solo and was known as the "Call," while the chorus that +answered "Yes, Ma'am" was known as the "Sponse."</p> + +<p>I now beg to offer testimony in corroboration of my assertion that +Negroes had named their Rhyme parts "Call" and "Sponse." So well were +these established parts of a Negro Rhyme recognized among Negroes that +the whole turning point of one of their best stories was based upon it. +I have reference to the Negro story recorded by Mr. Joel Chandler Harris +in his "Nights with Uncle Remus," under the caption, "Brother Fox, +Brother Rabbit, and King Deer's Daughter." Those who would enjoy the +story, as the writer did in his childhood days, as it fell from the lips +of his dear little friends and dusky playmates, will read the story in +Mr.<!-- Page 266 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> Harris' book. The gist of the story is as follows: The fox and the +rabbit fall in love with King Deer's daughter. The fox has just about +become the successful suitor, when the rabbit goes through King Deer's +lot and kills some of King Deer's goats. He then goes to King Deer, and +tells him that the fox killed the goats, and offers to make the fox +admit the deed in King Deer's hearing. This being agreed to, the rabbit +goes to find the fox, and proposes that they serenade the King Deer +family. The fox agreed. Then the rabbit proposes that he sing the "Call" +and that the fox sing the "Sponse" (or, as Mr. Harris records the story, +the "answer"), and this too was agreed upon. We now quote from Mr. +Harris:</p> + +<p>"Ole Br'er Rabbit, he make up de song he own se'f en' he fix it so that +he sing de <i>Call</i> lak de Captain er de co'n-pile, en ole Br'er Fox, he +hatter sing de answer...." "Ole Br'er Rabbit, he got de call en he open +up lak dis:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"'Some folks pile up mo'n dey kin tote,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">En dat w'at de matter wid King Deer's goat.'<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>en den Br'er Fox, he make <i>answer</i>, 'Dat's so, dat's so, en I'm glad dat +it's so.' Den de quills, and de<!-- Page 267 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> tr'angle, dey come in, en den Br'er +Rabbit pursue on wid de call—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"'Some kill sheep, en some kill shote,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But Br'er Fox kill King Deer goat,'<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>en den Br'er Fox, he jine in wid de answer, 'I did, I did, en I'm glad +dat I did.'"</p> + +<p>The writer would add that the story ends with a statement that King Deer +came out with his walking cane, and beat the fox, and then invited the +rabbit in to eat chicken pie.</p> + +<p>From the foregoing one will recognize the naming, by the Negroes +themselves, of the parts of their rhymed song, as "call," and "answer." +Now just a word concerning the term "answer," instead of "sponse," as +used by the writer. You will notice that Mr. Harris records, +incidentally, of Br'er Rabbit "dat he sing de <i>call</i>, lak de Captain er +de co'n pile." This has reference to the singing of the Negroes at corn +huskings where the leader sings a kind of solo part, and the others by +way of response, sing a kind of chorus. At corn huskings, at plays, and +elsewhere, when Negroes sang secular songs, some one was chosen to lead. +As a little boy, I witnessed secular singing in all these places. When a +leader was chosen, the invariable words of his commission<!-- Page 268 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> were: "You +sing the 'call' and we'll sing the '<i>sponse</i>.'" Of course the sentence +was not quite so well constructed grammatically, but "call" and "sponse" +were the terms always used. This being true, I have felt that I ought to +use these terms, though I recognize the probability of there being +communities where the word <i>answer</i> would be used. All folk terms and +writings have different versions.</p> + +<p>The "sponses" in most of the Negro Folk Rhymes in our collection are +wanting, and the Rhymes themselves, in most cases, consist of calls +only. As examples of those with "sponses" left, may be mentioned "Juba" +with its sponse "Juba"; "Frog Went A-courting," with its sponse +"Uh-huh!"; "Did You Feed My Cow?" with its sponse "Yes, Ma'am," etc., +and "The Old Black Gnats," where the sponses are "I cain't git out'n +here, etc."</p> + +<p>I shall now endeavor to show why the Negro Folk Rhymes consist in most +cases of "calls" only, and how and why the "sponses" have disappeared +from the finished product. I record here the notes of two common Negro +Play Songs along with sample stanzas used in the singing of them. I hope +through a little study of these, to make clear the matter of Folk Rhyme +development, to the point of dropping the "sponse."</p> + +<p><!-- Page 269 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 448px;"> +<img src="images/hollydink.png" width="448" height="306" alt="Holly Dink Call and 'Sponse Musical Notation" title="" /> +</div> +<p class="center"><a href="music/284a-hollydink.midi">[Listen]</a></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> +<img src="images/hailstorm.png" width="450" height="376" alt="Hail Storm Call and 'Sponse Musical Notation" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="center"><a href="music/284b-hailstorm.midi">[Listen]</a></p> + +<p><!-- Page 270 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span></p><p>These simple little songs,—the first made up of five notes, and the +second of seven,—are typical Negro Play songs. I shall not describe the +simple play which accompanied them because that description would not +add to the knowledge of the evolution under consideration.</p> + +<p>At a Negro Evening Entertainment several such songs would be sung and +played, and some individual would be chosen to lead or sing the "calls" +of each of the songs. The 'sponses in some cases were meaningless +utterances, like "Holly Dink," given in the first song recorded, while +others were made up of some sentence like "'Tain't Gwineter Rain No +Mō'!" found in the second song given. The "sponses" were not expected to +bear a special continuous relation in thought to the "calls." Indeed no +one ever thought of the 'sponses as conveyers of thought, whether +jumbled syllables or sentences. The songs went under the names of the +various sponses. Thus the first Play Song recorded was known as "Holly +Dink," and the second as "'Tain't Gwineter Rain No Mō'."</p> + +<p>The playing and singing of each of these songs commonly went on +continuously for a quarter of an hour or more. This being the case, we +scarcely need add that the leader of the Play Song had both<!-- Page 271 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> his memory +and ingenuity taxed to their utmost, in devising enough "calls" to last +through so long a period of time of continuous playing and singing. The +reader will notice under both of the Play Songs recorded, that I have +written under "(a)" two stanzas of prose "calls." I would convey the +thought to the reader, by these illustrations, that the one singing the +"calls" was at liberty to use, and did use any prose sentence that would +fit in with the "call" measures of the song.</p> + +<p>Of course these prose "calls" had to be rhythmic to fit into the +measures, but much freedom was allowed in respacing the time allotted to +notes, and in the redivision of the notes in the "fitting in" process. +Even these prose stanzas bore the mark of Rhyme to the Negro fancy. The +reader will notice that, where the "call" is in prose, it is always +repeated, and thus the line in fancy rhymed with itself. Examples as +found in our Second Play Song:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Hail storm, frosty night.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hail storm, frosty night."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Now, it was considered by Negroes, in the days gone by, something of an +accomplishment for a leader to be able to sing "calls," for so long a +time, when they bore some meaning, and still a greater accomplishment<!-- Page 272 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> +to sing the calls both in rhyme and with meaning. This led each +individual to rhyme his calls as far as possible because leaders were +invited to lead songs during an evening's entertainment, largely in +accordance with their ability, and thus those desiring to lead were +compelled to make attainment in both rhyme and meaning. Now, the reader +will notice under "Holly Dink," heading "(b)," "I shō' loves Miss +Donie." This is a part of the opening line of our Negro Rhyme, "Likes +and Dislikes." I would convey the thought to the reader that this whole +Rhyme, and any other Negro Rhyme which would fit into a 2/4 music +measure, could be, and was used by the Play Song leader in singing the +calls of "Holly Dink." Thus a leader would lead such a song; and by +using one whole Rhyme after another, succeed in rhyming the calls for a +quarter of an hour. If his Rhymes "gave out," he used rhythmic prose +calls; and since these did not need to have meaning, his store was +unlimited. Just as any Rhyme which could be fitted into a 2/4 music +measure would be used with "Holly Dink," so any Rhyme which could be +fitted into a 4/4 measure would be used with the "'Tain't Gwineter Rain +No Mō'." Illustrations given under "(b)" and "(c)" under the last +mentioned song are<!-- Page 273 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span>—"Promises of Freedom," and "Hawk and Buzzard."</p> + +<p>Since all Negro Songs with a few exceptions were written in 4/4 measures +and 2/4 measures, and Negro rhymed "calls" were also written in the same +way, the rhymed "calls" which may have originated with one song were +transferred to, and used with other songs. <i>Thus the rhymed "calls" +becoming detached for use with any and all songs into which they could +be fitted, gave rise to the multitude of Negro Folk Rhymes, a small +fragment of which multitude is recorded in our collection.</i> Negro Dances +and Dance Rhymes were both constructed in 2/4 and 4/4 measures, and the +Rhymes were propagated for that same reason. Rhymes, once detached from +their original song or dance, were learned, and often repeated for mere +pastime, and thus they were transmitted to others as unit compositions.</p> + +<p>We have now seen how detached rhymed "calls" made our Negro Folk Rhymes. +Next let us consider how and why whole little "poems" arose in a Play +Song. One will notice in reading Negro Folk Rhymes that the larger +number of them tell a little story or give some little comic +description, or some little striking thought. Since all the Rhymes had +to be memorized to insure their continued existence,<!-- Page 274 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> and since Memory +works largely through Association; one readily sees that the putting of +the Rhymes into a story, descriptive, or striking thought form, was the +only thing that could cause their being kept alive. It was only through +their being composed thus that Association was able to assist Memory in +recalling them. Those carrying another form carried their death warrant.</p> + +<p>Now let us look a little more intimately into how the Rhymes were +probably composed. In collecting them, I often had the same Rhyme given +to me over and over again by different individuals. Most of the Rhymes +were given by different individuals in fragmentary form. In case of all +the Rhymes thus received, there would always be a half stanza, or a +whole stanza which all contributors' versions held in common. As +examples: in "Promises of Freedom," all contributors gave the lines—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"My ole Mistiss promise me<br /></span> +<span class="i0">W'en she died, she'd set me free."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>In "She Hugged Me and Kissed Me," the second stanza was given by all. In +"Old Man Know-All," the first two lines of the last stanza came from all +who gave the Rhyme. The writer terms these parts of the individual +Rhymes, seemingly known to all<!-- Page 275 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> who know the "poems," <i>key verses</i>. The +very fact that the key verses, only, are known to all, seems to me to +warrant the conclusion that these were probably the first verses made in +each individual Rhyme. Now when an individual made such a key verse, one +can easily see that various singers of "calls" using it would attempt to +associate other verses of their own making with it in order to remember +them all for their long "singing Bees." The story, the description, and +the striking thought furnished convenient vehicles for this association +of verses, so as to make them easy to keep in memory. This is why the +verses of many singers of "Calls" finally became blended into little +poem-like Rhymes.</p> + +<p>I have pointed out "call" and "sponse," in Rhymes, and have shown how, +through them, in song, the form of the Negro Rhyme came into existence. +But many of the Pastime Rhymes apparently had no connection with the +Play or the Dance. I must now endeavor to account for such Rhymes as +these.</p> + +<p>In order to do this, I must enter upon the task of trying to show how +"call" and "sponse" originated.</p> + +<p>The origin of "call" and "sponse" is plainly written on the faces of the +rhymes of the Social Instinct type. Read once again the following rhyme +recorded<!-- Page 276 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> in our collection under the caption of "Antebellum Courtship +Inquiry"—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">(He)—"Is you a flyin' lark, or a settin' dove?"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">(She)—"I'se a flyin' lark, my Honey Love."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">(He)—"Is you a bird o' one fedder, or a bird o' two?"<br /></span> +<span class="i0">(She)—"I'se a bird o' one fedder, w'en it comes to you."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">(He)—"Den Mam:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"I has desire an' quick temptation<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To jine my fence to yō' plantation."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>This is primitive courtship; direct, quick, conclusive. It is the crude +call of one heart, and the crude response of another heart. The two +answering and blending into one, in the primitive days, made a rhymed +couplet—one. It is "call" and "sponse," born to vibrate in +complementary unison with two hearts that beat as one. "Did all Negroes +carry on courtship in this manner in olden days?" No, not by any means. +Only the more primitive by custom, and otherwise used such forms of +courtship. The more intelligent of those who came out of slavery had +made the white man's customs their own, and laughed at such crudities, +quite as much as we of the present day. The writer thinks his ability +to<!-- Page 277 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> recall from childhood days a clear remembrance of many of these +crude things is due to the fact that he belonged to a Negro family that +laughed much, early and late, at such things. But the simple forms of +"call" and "sponse" were used much in courtship by the more primitive. +This points out something of the general origin of "call" and "sponse" +in Social Instinct Rhymes, but does not account for their origin in +other types of Rhymes. I now turn attention to those.</p> + +<p>About eighteen years ago I was making a Sociological investigation for +Tuskegee Institute, which carried me into a remote rural district in the +Black Belt of Alabama. In the afternoon, when the Negro laborers were +going home from the fields and occasionally during the day, these +laborers on one plantation would utter loud musical "calls" and the +"calls" would be answered by musical responses from the laborers on +other plantations. These calls and responses had no peculiar +significance. They were only for whatever pleasure these Negroes found +in the cries and apparently might be placed in a parallel column +alongside of the call of a song bird in the woods being answered by +another. Dr. William H. Sheppard, many years a missionary in Congo, +Africa, upon inquiry, tells me that similar<!-- Page 278 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> calls and responses obtain +there, though not so musical. He also tells me that the calls have a +meaning there. There are calls and responses for those lost in the +forest, for fire, for the approach of enemies, etc. These Alabama Negro +calls, however, had no meaning, and yet the calls and responses so +fitted into each other as to make a little complete tune.</p> + +<p>Now, I had heard "field" calls all during my early childhood in +Tennessee, and these also were answered by men in adjoining fields. But +the Tennessee calls and responses which I remembered had no kinship +which would combine them into a kind of little completed song as was the +case with the Alabama calls and responses.</p> + +<p>Again, in Tennessee when a musical call was uttered by the laborers in +one field, those in the other fields around would often use identically +the same call as a response. The Alabama calls and responses were short, +while those of Tennessee were long.</p> + +<p>I am listing an Alabama "call" and "response." I regret that I cannot +recall more of them. I am also recording three Tennessee calls or +responses (for they may be called either). Then I am recording a fourth +one from Tennessee, not exactly a call, but partly call and partly song. +The reason for<!-- Page 279 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> this will appear later. By a study of these I think we +can pretty reasonably make a final interesting deduction as to the +general origin of "call" and "sponse" in the form of the types of Rhyme +not already discussed.</p> + +<p>In the Alabama Field Call and response one cannot help seeing a +counterpart in music of the "call" and "sponse" in the words of the +types of Rhymes already discussed.</p> + +<h5>ALABAMA FIELD CALL AND RESPONSE</h5> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 449px;"> +<img src="images/alabama.png" width="449" height="195" alt="Alabama Call and 'Sponse Musical Notation" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="center"><a href="music/294a-alabama.midi">[Listen]</a></p> + +<h5>TENNESSEE FIELD CALLS OR RESPONSES</h5> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> +<img src="images/tenn1.png" width="450" height="184" alt="Tennessee Call and 'Sponse Musical Notation 1" title="" /> +</div> +<p class="center"><a href="music/294b-tenn1.midi">[Listen]</a></p> + +<p><!-- Page 280 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 452px;"> +<img src="images/tenn2.png" width="452" height="190" alt="Tennessee Call and 'Sponse Musical Notation 2" title="" /> +</div> +<p class="center"><a href="music/295a-tenn2.midi">[Listen]</a></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 453px;"> +<img src="images/tenn3.png" width="453" height="222" alt="Tennessee Call and 'Sponse Musical Notation 3" title="" /> +</div> +<p class="center"><a href="music/295b-tenn3.midi">[Listen]</a></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 449px;"> +<img src="images/tenn4.png" width="449" height="191" alt="Tennessee Call and 'Sponse Musical Notation 4" title="" /> +</div> +<p class="center"><a href="music/295c-tenn4.midi">[Listen]</a></p> + +<p><!-- Page 281 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span></p> + +<p>If one looks at Number 1 under the Tennessee calls or responses, there +is nothing to indicate especially that it was ever other than the whole +as it is here written. But when he looks at Number 2 under Tennessee +calls or responses he is struck with the remarkable fact that it changes +right in the midst from the rhythm of the 9/8 measure to that of the 6/8 +measure. Now if there be any one characteristic which is constant in +Negro music it is that the rhythm remains the same throughout a given +production. In a very, very few long Negro productions I have known an +occasional change in the time, but <i>never</i> in a musical production +consisting of a few measures. The only reasonable explanation to be +offered for the break in the time of Number 2, as a Negro production, is +that it was originally a "call" and "response"; the "call" being in a +9/8 measure and the "response" being in a 6/8 measure. Here then we have +"call" and "sponse." It would look as if the Negroes in Tennessee had +combined the "calls" and "sponses" into one and had used them as a +whole. When we accept this view all the differences, between the Alabama +and Tennessee productions, before mentioned are accounted for. Then +looking again at Number 1 under Tennessee calls or responses, one sees +that it would conveniently<!-- Page 282 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> divide right in the middle to make a "call" +and "sponse." Now look at Number 3 under Tennessee calls. It was usually +cried off with the syllable <i>ah</i> and would easily divide in the middle. +I remember this "call" very distinctly from my childhood because the men +giving it placed the thumb upon the larynx and made it vibrate +longitudinally while uttering the cry. The thumb thus used produced a +peculiar screeching and rattling tone that hardly sounded human. But the +words "I want a piece of hoecake, etc.," as recorded under the "call," +were often rhymed off in song with it. Thus we trace the form of "call" +and "sponse" from the friendly musical greeting between laborers at a +distance to the place of the formation of a crude Rhyme to go with it. I +would have the reader notice that these words finally supplied were in +"call" and "sponse" form. The idea is that one individual says: "I want +a piece of hoecake, I want a piece o' bread," and another chimes in by +way of response: "Well, I'se so tired and hongry dat I'se almos' dead."</p> + +<p>"Ole Billie Bawlie" found as Number 4 was a little song which was used +to deride men who had little ability musically to intonate "calls" and +"sponses." The name "Bawlie" was applied to emphasize that the +individual bawled instead of sounding<!-- Page 283 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span> pleasant notes. It is of interest +to us because it is a mixture of Rhyme and Field "call" and completes +the connecting links along the line of Evolution between the "call" and +"sponse" and the Rhyme.</p> + +<p>Wherever one thing is derived from another by process of Evolution, +there is the well known biological law that there ought to be every +grade of connecting link between the original and the last evolved +product. The law holds good here in our Rhymes. If this last statement +holds good then the law must be universal. May we be permitted to +digress enough to show that the law is universal because, though it is a +law whose biological phase has been long recognized, not much attention +has been paid to it in other fields.</p> + +<p>It holds good in the world of inanimate matter. There are three general +classes of chemical compounds: Acids, bases, and salts. But along with +these three general classes are found all kinds of connecting links: +Acid salts, basic salts, hydroxy acids, etc.</p> + +<p>It holds good in the animal and plant worlds. Looking at the ancestors +of the horse in geological history we find that the first kind of horse +to appear upon the earth was the Œohippus. He had<!-- Page 284 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span> four toes on the +hind foot and three on the front one. Through a long period of +development, the present day one-toed horse descended from this +many-toed primitive horse. There is certainty of the line of descent of +the horse because all the connecting links have been discovered in +fossil form, between the primitive horse and the present day horse. +Plants in like manner show all kinds of connecting links.</p> + +<p>The law holds sway in the world of language; and that is the world with +which we are concerned here. The state of Louisiana once belonged to the +French; now it belongs to an English-speaking people. If one goes among +the Creoles in Louisiana he will find a very few who speak almost +Parisian French and very poor English. Then he will find a very large +number who speak a pure English and a very poor French. Between these +classes he will find those speaking all grades of French and English. +These last mentioned are the connecting links, and the connecting links +bespeak a line of evolution where those of French descent are gradually +passing over to a class which will finally speak the English language +exclusively.</p> + +<p>Now let us turn our attention again directly to the discussion of the +evolution of Negro Folk<!-- Page 285 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> Rhymes. One can judge whether or not he has +discovered the correct line of descent of the Rhymes by seeing whether +or not he has all the connecting links requisite to the line of +evolution. I think it must be agreed that I have given every type of +connecting link between common Field "calls" and "sponses," and +incipient crude Negro Rhymes. They set the mold for the other general +Negro Rhymes not hitherto discussed.</p> + +<p>If the reader will be kind enough to apply the test of connecting links +to the Play and other Rhymes already discussed, he will find that the +reactions will indicate that we have traced their correct lines of +origin and descent.</p> + +<p>The spirit of "call" and "sponse" hovers ghost-like over the very +thought of many Negro Rhymes. In "Jaybird," the first two lines of each +stanza are a call in thought, while the last two lines are a "sponse" in +thought to it. The same is true of "He Is My Horse," "Stand Back, Black +Man," "Bob-White's Song," "Promises of Freedom," "The Town and the +Country Bird," and many others.</p> + +<p>Then "call" and "sponse" looms up in the midst in thought between stanza +and stanza in many Rhymes. Good examples are found in "The Great Owl's +Song," "Sheep and Goat," "The Snail's Reply,"<!-- Page 286 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span> "Let's Marry—Courtship," +"Shoo! Shoo!" "When I Go to Marry," and many others.</p> + +<p>"Call" and "sponse" even runs, at least in one case, between whole +Rhymes. "I Wouldn't Marry a Black Girl" as a "call" has for its +"sponse": "I Wouldn't Marry a Yellow or a White Negro Girl." The Rhyme +"I'd Rather Be a Negro Than a Poor White Man" is a "sponse" to an +imaginary "call" that the Negro is inferior by nature.</p> + +<p>After some consideration, as compiler of the Negro Rhymes, I thought I +ought to say something of their rhyming system, but before doing this I +want to consider for a little the general structure of a stanza in Negro +Rhymes.</p> + +<p>Of course there is no law, but the number of lines in a stanza of +English poetry is commonly a multiple of two. The large majority of +Negro Rhymes follows this same rule, but, even in case of these, the +lines are so unsymmetrical that they make but the faintest approach to +the commonly accepted standards. Then there are Rhymes with stanzas of +three lines and there are those with five, six, and seven lines. This is +because the imaginary music measure is the unit of measurement instead +of feet, and the stanzas are all right so long as they run in consonance +with the laws governing music measures<!-- Page 287 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> and rhythm. In a tune like "Old +Hundred" commonly used in churches as a Doxology, there are four +divisions in the music corresponding with the four lines of the stanza. +Each division is called, in music, a Phrase. Two of these Phrases make a +Phrase Group and two Phrase Groups make a Period. Now when one moves +musically through a Phrase Group his sense of rhythm is partially +satisfied and when he has moved through a Period the sense of Rhythm is +entirely satisfied.</p> + +<p>When one reads the three line stanzas of Negro Folk Rhymes he passes +through a music Period and thus the stanza satisfies in its rhythm. +Example:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Bridle up er rat,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Saddle up er cat,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' han' me down my big straw hat."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Here the first two lines are a Phrase each and constitute together a +Phrase Group. The third line is made up of two Phrases, or a Phrase +Group in itself. Thus this third line along with the first two makes a +Music Period and the whole satisfies our rhythmic sense though the lines +are apparently odd. In all Negro Rhymes, however odd in number and +however ragged may seem the lines, the music<!-- Page 288 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span> Phrases and Periods are +there in such symmetry as to satisfy our sense of rhythm.</p> + +<p>I now turn attention to the rhyming of the lines in Negro verse. The +ordinary systems of rhyming as set forth by our best authors will take +in most Negro Rhymes. Most of them are Adjacent and Interwoven Rhymes. +There are five systems of rhyming commonly used in the white man's +poetry but the Negro Rhyme has nine systems. Here again we find a +parallelism, as in case of music scales, etc. Five in each system are +the same. The ordinary commonly accepted systems are:</p> + +<table border="0" summary="Rhyming Systems"> + +<tr> + <td>a</td> + <td rowspan="1" class="b-rt"> </td> + <td class="b-lb"> </td> + <td rowspan="2">Where the adjacent lines rhyme by twos. We + call it "Adjacent rhymes" or a "Couplet."</td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td>a</td> + <td rowspan="1" class="b-rb"> </td> +</tr> + +<tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td> +<td> </td></tr> + +<tr> +<td>a</td> +<td class="b-rt"> </td> +<td> </td> + <td rowspan="4">Where the alternating lines rhyme we + call it "Alternate" or "Interwoven Rhyme."</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>b</td> +<td> </td> +<td class="b-lb"> </td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>a</td> +<td> </td> +<td class="b-lt"> </td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>b</td> +<td class="b-rb"> </td> +<td> </td> +</tr> + +<tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td> +<td> </td></tr> + +<tr> +<td>a</td> +<td class="b-rt"> </td> +<td> </td> + <td rowspan="4">Where lines 1 and 4, and 2 and 3 rhyme + respectively with each other. This is called + "Close Rhyme."</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>b</td> +<td> </td> +<td class="b-lb"> </td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>b</td> +<td> </td> +<td class="b-lt"> </td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>a</td> +<td class="b-rb"> </td> +<td> </td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> </td><td> </td><td> </td> +<td><!-- Page 289 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span> +</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>a</td> +<td class="b-rt"> </td> +<td> </td> + <td rowspan="4">Where in a stanza of four lines, lines 2 and +4 only rhyme. This is sometimes also called +"Alternate Rhyme."</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>b</td> +<td> </td> +<td class="b-lb"> </td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>c</td> +<td> </td> +<td class="b-lt"> </td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>b</td> +<td class="b-rb"> </td> +<td> </td> +</tr> + +<tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td> +<td> </td></tr> + +<tr> +<td>a</td> +<td class="b-rt"> </td> +<td> </td> + <td rowspan="4">Where in a stanza of four lines 1, 2 and 4 + rhyme. This is called "Interrupted Rhyme."</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>a</td> +<td> </td> +<td class="b-lb"> </td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>b</td> +<td> </td> +<td class="b-lt"> </td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td>a</td> +<td class="b-rb"> </td> +<td> </td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p>I now beg to offer a system of classification in rhyming which will +include all Negro Rhymes. I shall insert the ordinary names in +parenthesis along with the new names wherever the system coincides with +the ordinary system for white men's Rhymes. The only reason for not +using the old names exclusively in these places is that nomenclature +should be kept consistent in any proposed classification, so far as that +is possible.</p> + +<p>In classifying the rhyming of the lines or verses I have borrowed terms +from the gem world, partly because the Negro hails from Africa, a land +of gems; and partly because the verses bear whatever beauty there might +have been in his crude crystalized thoughts in the dark days of his +enslavement.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 290 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span> +I present herewith the outline and follow it with explanations:</p> + +<table border="0" summary="Negro Folk Rhymes Rhyming System"> + +<tr> +<th class="ital">Class</th> +<td> </td> +<td> </td> +<th class="ital">Systems</th> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td rowspan="2" valign="top">I Rhythmic <ins class="correction" title="original reads: Solitaire.">Solitaire</ins></td> +<td rowspan="1" class="b-rb"> </td> +<td rowspan="1" class="b-lt"> </td> +<td rowspan="2">(a) Rhythmic measured lines</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td rowspan="1" class="b-rt"> </td> + <td rowspan="1" class="b-lb"> </td> +</tr> + +<tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr> + +<tr> +<td rowspan="3" valign="top">II Rhymed Doublet</td> +<td> </td> +<td class="b-lt"> </td> +<td>(a) Regular (Adjacent Rhyme)</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="b-rt"> </td> +<td> </td> +<td>(b) Divided (Includes Close Rhyme)</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td class="b-lb"> </td> +<td>(c) <ins class="correction" title="original reads: Supplemented.">Supplemented</ins></td> +</tr> + +<tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr> + +<tr> + <td rowspan="2" valign="top">III Rhyming Doublet</td> + <td class="b-rb"> </td> + <td class="b-lt"> </td> + <td>(a) Regular (Includes Alternate Rhyme)</td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td> </td> + <td class="b-lb"> </td> + <td>(b) Inverted (Close Rhyme)</td> +</tr> + +<tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr> + +<tr> +<td rowspan="3" valign="top">IV Rhymed Cluster</td> +<td> </td> +<td class="b-lt"> </td> +<td>(a) Regular</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="b-rt"> </td> +<td> </td> +<td>(b) Divided (Interrupted Rhyme)</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> </td> +<td class="b-lb"> </td> +<td>(c) Supplemented</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p><ins class="correction" title="original reads: I a"><i>I a.</i></ins> Rhythmic Solitaire, Rhythmic measured lines. In many Rhymes there +is a rhythmic line dropped in here and there that doesn't rhyme with<!-- Page 291 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span> +any other line. They are rhythmic like the other lines and serve equally +to fill out the music Phrases and Periods. These are the Rhythmic +Solitaires and because of their solitaire nature it follows that there +is only one system. Examples are found in the first line of each stanza +of "Likes and Dislikes"; in the second line of each stanza of "Old Aunt +Kate;" in lines five and six of each stanza of "I'll Wear Me a Cotton +Dress," in lines three and four of the "Sweet Pinks Kissing Song," etc. +The Rhythmic Solitaires do not seem to have been largely used by Negroes +for whole compositions. Only one whole Rhyme in our collection is +written with Rhythmic Solitaires. That Rhyme is: "Song to the Runaway +Slave." This Rhyme is made up of blank verse as measured by the white +man's standard.</p> + +<p><i>II a.</i> The Regular Rhymed Doublet. This is the same as our common +Adjacent Rhyme. There are large numbers of Negro Rhymes which belong to +this system. The "Jaybird" is a good example.</p> + +<p><i>II b.</i> The Divided Rhymed Doublet. It includes Close Rhyme and there +are many of this system. In ordinary Close Rhyme one set of rhyming +lines (two in number) is separated by two intervening lines, but this +"Rhyming Couplet" in Negro<!-- Page 292 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span> Rhymes may be separated by three lines as in +"Bought Me a Wife," where the divided doublet consists of lines 3 and 7. +Then the Divided Rhymed Doublet may be separated by only one line, as in +"Good-by, Wife," where the Doublet is found in lines 5 and 7.</p> + +<p><i>II c.</i> The Supplemented Rhymed Doublet. It is illustrated by "Juba" +found in our collection. The words "Juba! Juba!" found following the +second line of each stanza, are the supplement. I shall take up the +explanation of Supplemented Rhyme later, since the explanation goes with +all Supplemented Rhyme and not with the Doublet only. I consider the +Supplement one of the things peculiarly characteristic of Negro Rhyme. +The following stanza illustrates such a Supplemented Doublet:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Juba jump! Juba sing!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Juba cut dat Pidgeon's Wing! Juba! <ins class="correction" title="! missing in original">Juba!</ins>"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Representing such a rhyming by letters we have</p> + +<table class="lettering" border="0" summary="Supplemented Rhymed Doublet"> +<tr> + <td>(a</td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td>(a-x</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<p><i>III.</i> The Rhyming Doublet. It is generally made up of two consecutive +lines not rhyming with each other but so constructed that one of the +lines will rhyme with one line of another Doublet similarly constructed +and found in the same stanza.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 293 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span></p><p><i>III a.</i> The Regular Rhyming Doublet. It is the same as our common +interwoven rhyme and is very common among Negro Rhymes. There is one +peculiar Interwoven Rhyme found in our collection; it is "Watermelon +Preferred." In it the second Rhyming Doublet is divided by a kind of +parenthetic Rhythmic Solitaire.</p> + +<p><i>III b.</i> The Inverted Rhyming Doublet. It is the same as our ordinary +Close Rhyme.</p> + +<p>The writer had expected to find the Supplemented Rhyming Doublet among +Negro Rhymes but peculiarly enough it does not seem to exist.</p> + +<p><i>IV a.</i> The Regular Rhymed Cluster. It consists of three consecutive +lines in the same stanza which rhyme. An example is found in "Bridle Up +a Rat," one of whose stanzas we have already quoted. It is represented +by the lettering</p> + +<table class="lettering" border="0" summary="Regular Rhymed Cluster"> +<tr><td>(a</td></tr> +<tr><td>(a</td></tr> +<tr><td>(a</td></tr> +</table> + +<p><i>IV. b.</i> The Divided Rhymed Cluster. It includes ordinary Interrupted +Rhyme—with the lettering</p> + +<table class="lettering" border="0" summary="Divided Rhymed Cluster 1"> +<tr> +<td>(a</td> +<td rowspan="5">An example is found in the Ebo or Guinea Rhyme "Tree Frogs."</td> +</tr> + +<tr><td>(a</td></tr> +<tr><td>(b</td></tr> +<tr><td>(a</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>But in Negro Folk Rhymes two lines may divide the +<!-- Page 294 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span> Rhymed Cluster +instead of one. An example of this is found in "Animal Fair," whose +rhyming may be represented by the lettering</p> + +<table class="lettering" border="0" summary="Divided Rhymed Cluster 2"> +<tr><td>(a</td></tr> +<tr><td>(a</td></tr> +<tr><td>(b</td></tr> +<tr><td>(b</td></tr> +<tr><td>(a</td></tr> +</table> + +<p><i>IV c.</i> The Supplemented Rhymed Clusters. They are well represented in +Negro Rhymes. Some have a single supplement as in "Negroes Never Die," +whose rhyming is lettered</p> + +<table class="lettering" border="0" summary="Supplemented Rhymed Cluster 1"> +<tr><td>(a</td></tr> +<tr><td>(a</td></tr> +<tr><td>(a-x</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>Some have double supplements as in "Frog Went a-Courting" whose rhyming +is lettered</p> + +<table class="lettering" border="0" summary="Supplemented Rhymed Cluster 2"> +<tr><td>(a-x</td></tr> +<tr><td>(a</td></tr> +<tr><td>(a-x</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>Now Negroes did not retain, permanently, meaningless words in their +Rhymes. The Rhymes themselves were "calls" and had meaning. The +"sponses," such as "Holly Dink," "Jing-Jang," "Oh, fare you well," +"'Tain't gwineter rain no more," etc., that had no meaning, died year +after year and new "sponses" and songs came into existence.</p> + +<p>Let us see what these permanently retained seemingly senseless +Supplements mean.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 295 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span></p><p>In "Frog Went a-Courting" we see the Supplement "uh-huh! uh-huh!" It is +placed in the midst to keep vividly before the mind of the listener the +ardent singing of the frog in Spring during his courtship season, while +we hear a recounting of his adventures. It is to this Simple Rhyme what +stage scenery is to the Shakespearian play or the Wagnerian opera. It +seems to me (however crude his verse) that the Negro has here suggested +something new to the field of poetry. He suggests that, while one +recounts a story or what not, he could to advantage use words at the +same time having no bearing on the story to depict the surroundings or +settings of the production. The gifted Negro poet, Paul Laurence Dunbar, +has used the supplement in this way in one of his poems. The poem is +called "A Negro Love Song." The little sentence, "Jump back, Honey, jump +back," is thrown in, in the midst and at the end of each stanza. +Explaining it, the following is written by a friend, at the heading of +this poem:</p> + +<p>"During the World's Fair he (Mr. Dunbar) served for a short time as a +hotel waiter. When the Negroes were not busy they had a custom of +congregating and talking about their sweethearts. Then a man with a tray +would come along and, as the<!-- Page 296 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span> dining-room was frequently crowded, he +would say when in need of passing room, 'Jump back, Honey, jump back.' +Out of the commonplace confidences, he wove the musical little +composition—'A Negro Love Song.'"</p> + +<p>Now, this line, "Jump back, Honey, jump back," was used by Mr. Dunbar to +recall and picture before the mind the scurrying hotel waiter as he +bragged to his fellows of his sweetheart and told his tales of +adventure. It is the "stage scenery" method used by the slave Negro +verse maker. Mr. Dunbar uses this style also in "A Lullaby," +"Discovered," "Lil' Gal" and "A Plea." Whether he used it knowingly in +all cases, or whether he instinctively sang in the measured strains of +his benighted ancestors, I do not know.</p> + +<p>The Supplement was used in another way in Negro Folk Dance Rhymes. I +have already explained how the Rhymes were used in a general way in the +Dance. Let us glance at the Dance Rhyme "Juba" with its Supplement, +"Juba! Juba!" to illustrate this special use of the Supplement. "Juba" +itself was a kind of dance step. Now let us imagine two dancers in a +circle of men to be dancing while the following lines are being patted +and repeated:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 297 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span> +<span class="i0">"Juba Circle, raise de latch,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Juba dance dat Long Dog Scratch, Juba! Juba!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>While this was being patted and repeated, the dancers within the circle +described a circle with raised foot and ended doing a dance step called +"Dog Scratch." Then when the Supplement "Juba! Juba!" was said the whole +circle of men joined in the dance step "Juba" for a few moments. Then +the next stanza would be repeated and patted with the same general order +of procedure.</p> + +<p>The Supplement, then, in the Dance Rhyme was used as the signal for all +to join in the dance for a while at intervals after they had witnessed +the finished foot movements of their most skilled dancers.</p> + +<p>The Supplement was used in a third way in Negro Rhymes. This is +illustrated by the Rhyme, "Anchor Line" where the Supplement is "Dinah." +This was a Play Song and was commonly used as such, but the Negro boy +often sang such a song to his sweetheart, the Negro father to his child, +etc. When such songs were sung on other occasions than the Play, the +name of the person to whom it was being sung was often substituted for +the name Dinah. Thus it would be sung</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<!-- Page 298 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span> +<span class="i0">"I'se gwine out on de Anchor Line—Mary," etc.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The Supplement then seems to have been used in some cases to broaden the +scope of direct application of the Rhyme.</p> + +<p>The last use of the Supplement to be mentioned is closely related in its +nature to the "stage scenery" use already mentioned. This kind of +Supplement is used to depict the mental condition or attitude of an +individual passing through the experiences being related. Good examples +are found in "My First and My Second Wife" where we have the +Supplements, "Now wusn't I sorrowful in mind," etc.; and in "Stinky +Slave Owners" with its Supplements "Eh-Eh!" "Sho-sho!" etc.</p> + +<p>The Negro Rhymes here and there also have some kind of little +introductory word or line to each stanza. I consider this also something +peculiar to Negro Rhyme. I have named these little introductory words or +sentences the "Verse Crown." They are receivers into which verses are +set and serve as dividing lines in the production. As the reader knows, +the portion of the ring which receives the gems and sets them into a +harmonious whole is called the "Crown." Having borrowed the terms +Solitaire, Doublet, etc., for the verses, the name for<!-- Page 299 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span> these +introductory words and lines automatically became "Verse Crown."</p> + +<p>Just as I have figuratively termed the Supplements in one place "stage +scenery," so I may with equal propriety term the "Verse Crown" the +"rise" or the "fall" of the stage curtain. They separate the little Acts +of the Rhymes into scenes. As an example read the comic little Rhyme "I +Walked the Roads." The word "Well" to the first stanza marks the raising +of the curtain and we see the ardent Negro boy lover nonsensically +prattling to the one of his fancy about everything in creation until he +is so tired that he can scarcely stand erect. The curtain drops and +rises with the word "Den." In this, the second scene, he finally gets +around to the point where he makes all manner of awkward protestations +of love. The hearer of the Rhyme is left laughing, with a sort of +satisfactory feeling that possibly he succeeded in his suit and possibly +he didn't. Among the many examples of Rhymes where verse crowns serve as +curtains to divide the Acts into scenes may be mentioned "I Wish I Was +an Apple," "Rejected by Eliza Jane," "Courtship," "Plaster," "The Newly +Weds," and "Four Runaway Negroes."</p> + +<p>Though the stanzas in Negro Rhymes commonly have just one kind of +rhyming, in some cases as many<!-- Page 300 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span> as three of the systems of rhyming are +found in one stanza. I venture to suggest the calling of those with one +system "Simple Rhymed Stanzas;" those with two, "Complex Rhymed +Stanzas;" those with more than two "Complicated Complex Rhymed Stanzas."</p> + +<p>I next call attention to the seeming parodies found occasionally among +Negro Rhymes. The words of most Negro parodies are such that they are +not fit for print. We have recorded three: "He Paid Me Seven," Parody on +"Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep," and Parody on "Reign, Master Jesus, +Reign." We can best explain the nature of the Negro Parody by taking +that beautiful and touching well-known Jubilee song, "Steal Away to +Jesus" and briefly recounting the story of its origin. Its history is +well known. We hope the reader will not be disappointed when we say that +this song is a parody in the sense in which Negroes composed and used +parodies.</p> + +<p>The words around which the whole song ranges itself are "Steal away to +Jesus, I hain't got long to stay here." Now the slave Negroes on the far +away plantations of the South occasionally met in the dead of night in +some secluded lonely spot for a religious meeting even when they had +been forbidden to do so by their masters. So they made up this song,<!-- Page 301 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span> +"Steal away to Jesus, I hain't got long to stay here." Late in the +afternoons when the slaves on any plantation sang it, it served as a +notice to slaves on other plantations that a secret religious meeting +was to be held that night at the place formerly mutually agreed upon for +meetings.</p> + +<p>Now here is where the parody comes in under the Negro standard: To the +slave master the words meant that his good, obedient slaves were only +studying how to be good and to get along peaceably, because they +considered, after all, that their time upon earth was short and not of +much consequence; but to the listening Negro it meant both a +notification of a meeting and slaves disobedient enough to go where they +wanted to go. To the listening master it meant that the Negro was +thinking of what a short time it would be before he would die and leave +the earth, but to the listening slaves it meant that he was thinking of +how short a time it would be before he left the cotton field for a +pleasant religious meeting. All these meanings were truly literally +present but the meaning apparent depended upon the viewpoint of the +listener. It was composed thus, so that if the master suspected the +viewpoint of the slave hearers, the other viewpoint, intended for him, +might be held out in strong relief.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 302 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span></p><p>Now let us consider the parodies recorded in our Collection. The Parody +on the beautiful little child prayer, "Now I lay me down to sleep" is +but the bitter protest from the heart of the woman who, after putting +the little white children piously repeating this child prayer, "Now I +lay me down to sleep," in their immaculate beds, herself retired to a +vermin infested cabin with no time left for cleaning it. It was a tirade +against the oppressor but the comic, good-natured "It means nothing" was +there to be held up to those calling the one repeating it to task. The +parody on "Reign, Master Jesus, Reign!" when heard by the Master meant +only a good natured jocular appeal to him for plenty of meat and bread, +but with the Negro it was a scathing indictment of a Christian earthly +master who muzzled those who produced the food. "He Paid Me Seven" is a +mock at the white man for failing to practice his own religion but the +clown mask is there to be held up for safety to any who may see the +<i>real</i> side and take offense.</p> + +<p>Slave parodies, then, are little Rhymes capable of two distinct +interpretations, both of which are true. They were so composed that if a +slave were accused through one interpretation, he could and would +truthfully point out the other meaning to the accuser and thus escape +serious trouble.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 303 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span></p><p>Under all the classes of Negro Rhymes, with the exception of the one +Marriage Ceremony Rhyme, there were those which were sung and played on +instruments. Since instrumental music called into existence some of the +very best among Negro Rhymes it seems as if a little ought to be said +concerning the Negro's instruments. Banjos and fiddles (violins) were +owned only limitedly by antebellum Negroes. Those who owned them +mastered them to such a degree that the memory of their skill will long +<ins class="correction" title="original reads: linger,">linger.</ins> These instruments are familiar and need no discussion.</p> + +<p>Probably the Negro's most primitive instrument, which he could call his +very own, was "Quills." It is mentioned in the story, "Brother Fox, +Brother Rabbit, and King Deer's Daughter" which I have already quoted at +some length. If the reader will notice in this story he will see, after +the singing of the first stanza by the rabbit and fox, a description in +these words, "Den de quills and de tr'angle, dey come in, an' den Br'er +Rabbit pursue on wid de call." Here we have described in the Negro's own +way the long form of instrumental music composition which we have +hitherto discussed, and "quills" and "tr'angles" are given as the +instruments.</p> + +<p>In my early childhood I saw many sets of "Quills." They were short reed +pipes, closed at one<!-- Page 304 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span> end, made from cane found in our Southern +canebrakes. The reed pipes were made closed at one end by being so cut +that the bottom of each was a node of the cane. These pipes were +"whittled" square with a jack knife and were then wedged into a wooden +frame, and the player blew them with his mouth. The "quills," or reed +pipes, were cut of such graduated lengths that they constituted the +Negro's peculiar music Scale. The music intervals though approximating +those of the Caucasian scale were not the same. At times, when in a +reminiscent humor, I hum to myself some little songs of my childhood. On +occasions, afterwards, I have "picked out" some of the same tunes on the +piano. When I have done this I have always felt like giving its +production on the piano the same greeting that I gave a friend who had +once worn a full beard but had shaved. My greeting was "Hello, friend A; +I came near not knowing you."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 239px;"> +<span class="caption">A LITTLE SET OF QUILLS</span> +<img src="images/fig1quills.png" width="239" height="400" alt="" title="" /> +<span class="caption smcap">Figure I</span> +</div> + +<p>"Quills" were made in two sets. They were known as a "Little Set of +Quills" and a "Big Set of Quills." There were five reeds in the Little +Set but I do not know how many there were in a Big Set. I think there +were more than twice as many as in a Little Set. I have inserted a cut +of a Little Set of "Quills." (Figure I.) The fact that I<!-- Page 305 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span> was in the +class of "The Little Boy Who Couldn't Count Seven" when I saw and +handled quills makes it necessary to explain how it comes that I am sure +of the number of "Quills" in a "Little Set." I recall the intricate tune +that could be played only by the performer's putting in the lowest +pitched note with his voice. I am herewith presenting that tune, and +"blocking out" the voice note there are only five notes left, thus I +know there were five "Quills" in the set. I thought a tune played on a +"Big Set"<!-- Page 306 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span> might be of interest and so I am giving one of those also. If +there be those who would laugh at the crudity of "Quills" it might not +be amiss to remember in justice to the inventors that "Quills" +constitute a pipe organ in its most rudimentary form.</p> + +<h5>TUNE PLAYED ON A LITTLE SET OF QUILLS</h5> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 452px;"> +<img src="images/littlequills.png" width="452" height="284" alt="Tune for Little Quills Musical Notation" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="center"><a href="music/321a-littlequills.midi">[Listen]</a></p> + +<h5>TUNE PLAYED ON A BIG SET OF QUILLS</h5> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> +<img src="images/bigquills.png" width="450" height="563" alt="Tune for Big Quills Musical Notation" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="center"><a href="music/321b-322-bigquills.midi">[Listen]</a></p> + +<p><!-- Page 307 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span> +The "tr'angle" or triangle mentioned as the other primitive instrument +used by the rabbit and fox in serenading King Deer's family was only the +U-shaped iron clives which with its pin was used for hitching horses to +a plow. The antebellum Negro often suspended this U-shaped clives by a +string and beat it with its pin along with the playing on "Quills" much +after the order that a drum is beaten. These crude instruments produced +music not of unpleasant<!-- Page 308 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span> strain and inspired the production of some of +the best Negro Rhymes.</p> + +<p>I would next consider for a little the origin of the subject matter +found in Negro Rhymes. When the Negro sings "Master Is Six Feet One Way" +or "The Alabama Way" there is no question where the subject matter came +from. But when he sings of animals, calling them all "Brother" or +"Sister," and "Bought Me a Wife," etc., the origin of the conception and +subject matter is not so clear. I now come to the question: From whence +came such subject matter?</p> + +<p>First of all, Mr. Joel Chandler Harris, in his introduction to "Nights +with Uncle Remus," has shown that the Negro stories of our country have +counterparts in the Kaffir Tales of Africa. He therefore leaves strong +grounds for inference that the American Negroes probably brought the dim +outlines of their Br'er Rabbit stories along with them when they came +from Africa. I have already pointed out that some of the Folk Rhymes +belong to these Br'er Rabbit stories. Since the origin of the subject +matter of one is the origin of the subject matter of the other, it +follows that we are reasonably sure of the origin of such Folk Rhymes +because of the "counterpart" data presented by Mr. Harris.<!-- Page 309 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span> But I have +been fortunate enough recently to secure direct evidence that one of the +American Negro stories recorded by Mr. Harris came from Africa.</p> + +<p>While collecting our Rhymes, I asked Dr. C. C. Fuller of the South +African Mission, at Chikore, Melsetter, Rhodesia, Africa, for an African +Rhyme in Chindau. I might add parenthetically: I have never seen +pictures of a cruder or more primitive people than these people who +speak Chindau. He obtained and sent me the Rhyme "The Turkey Buzzard" +found in our Foreign Section. It was given to him by the Reverend J. E. +Hatch of the South African General Mission. Along with this rhyme came +the following in his kind and obliging letter: "We thought the story of +how the Crocodile got its scaly skin might be of interest also":</p> + +<p>"Why the Crocodile Has a Hard, Scaly Skin."</p> + +<p>"Long ago the Crocodile had a soft skin like that of the other animals. +He used to go far from the rivers and catch animals and children and by +so doing annoyed the people very much. So one day when he was far away +from water, they surrounded him and set the grass on fire on every side, +so that he could not escape to the river without passing through the +fire. The fire overtook him and scorched and seared his back, so that +from that day<!-- Page 310 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span> his skin has been hard and scaly, and he no longer goes +far from the rivers."</p> + +<p>This is about as literal an outline of the American Negro story "Why the +Alligator's Back is Rough" as one could have. The slight difference is +that the direct African version mixes people in with the plot. This +along with Mr. Harris's evidences practically establishes the fact that +the Negro animal story outlines came with the Negroes themselves from +Africa and would also render it practically certain that many animal +rhymes came in the same way since these Rhymes in many cases accompany +the stories.</p> + +<p>Then there are Rhymes, not animal Rhymes, which seem to carry plainly in +their thought content a probable African origin. In the Rhyme, "Bought +Me a Wife," there is not only the mentioning of buying a wife, but there +is the setting forth of feeding her along with guineas, chickens, etc., +out under a tree. Such a conception does not fit in with American slave +life but does fit into widely prevailing conditions found in Africa.</p> + +<p>Read the last stanza of "Ration Day," where the slave sings of going +after death to a land where there are trees that bear fritters and where +there are ponds of honey. Surely there is nothing in America to<!-- Page 311 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span> suggest +such thoughts, but such thoughts might have come from Africa where +natives gather their fruit from the bread tree and dip it into honey +gathered from the forests.</p> + +<p>Read "When My Wife Dies." This is a Dance Rhyme Song. When the Rhymer +chants in seemingly light vein in our hearing that he will simply get +another wife when his wife dies, we turn away our faces in disgust, but +we turn back almost amazed when he announces in the immediately +succeeding lines that his heart will sorrow when she is gone because +none better has been created among women. The dance goes on and we +almost see grim Death himself smile as the Rhymer closes his Dance Song +with directions not to bury him deep, and to put bread in his hand and +molasses at his feet that he may eat on the way to the "Promised Land."</p> + +<p>If you had asked a Negro boy in the days gone by what this Dance Rhyme +Song meant, he would have told you that he didn't know, that it was +simply an old song he had picked up from somewhere. Thus he would go +right along thoughtlessly singing or repeating and passing the Rhyme to +others. The dancing over the dead and the song which accompanied it +certainly had no place in American life. But do you ask where there was +such a place? Get Dr.<!-- Page 312 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> William H. Sheppard's "Presbyterian Pioneers in +Congo" and read on page 136 the author's description of the behavior of +the Africans in Lukenga's Land on the day following the death of one of +their fellow tribesmen. It reads in part as follows: "The next day +friends from neighboring villages joined with these and in their best +clothes danced all day. These dances are to cheer up the bereaved family +and to run away evil spirits." Dr. Sheppard also tells us that in one of +the tribes in Africa where he labored, a kind of funnel was pushed down +into the grave and down this funnel food was dropped for the deceased to +feed upon. I have heard from other missionaries to other parts of Africa +similar accounts. The minute you suppose the Rhyme "When My Wife Dies" +to have had its origin in Africa, the whole thought content is +explained. Of course the stanza concerning the pickling of the bones in +alcohol is probably of American origin but I doubt not that the thought +of the "key verses" came from Africa.</p> + +<p>These Rhymes whose thought content I have just discussed I consider only +illustrative of the many Rhymes whose thought drift came from Africa.</p> + +<p>Many of the Folk Rhymes fall under the heading commonly denominated +"Nature Rhymes." By actual<!-- Page 313 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span> count more than a hundred and fifty recorded +by the writer have something in their stanzas concerning some animal. I +do not think the makers of these Rhymes were makers of Nature Rhymes in +the ordinary sense of the term. It would really be more to the point to +call them "Animal Rhymes" instead of "Nature Rhymes." With the exception +of about a half dozen Rhymes which mention some kind of tree or plant, +all the other Rhymes with Nature allusions pertain to animals. The Uncle +Remus stories recorded by Joel Chandler Harris are practically all +animal stories. I have said in my foregoing discussion that the Negro +communed with Nature and she gave him Rhymes for amusement. This is +true, but when we say "communed" we simply express a vague intangible +something the existence of which lives somewhere in a kind of mental +fiction.</p> + +<p>Though I was brought up with the Rhymes I make no pretensions that I +really know why so many of them were made concerning the animal world. I +have heard no Negro tradition on this point. I have thought much on it +and I now beg the reader to walk with me over the peculiar paths along +which my mind has swept in its search for the truth of this mystery of +Animal Rhyme.</p> + +<p>Before the great American Civil War the Negro<!-- Page 314 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span> slave preachers could +not, as a class, read and they were taught their Bible texts by white +men, commonly their owners. The texts taught them embraced most of the +central truths of our Bible. The subjects upon which the antebellum +Negro preached, however, were comparatively few. Of course a very few +antebellum Negro preachers could read. In case of these individuals +their texts and subjects were scarcely limited by the "lids" of the +Bible. I heard scores of these men preach in my childhood days.</p> + +<p>The following subjects embrace about all those known to the average of +these slave preachers. 1. Joshua. 2. Samson. 3. The Ark. 4. Jacob. 5. +Pharaoh and Moses. 6. Daniel. 7. Ezekiel—vision of the valley of dry +bones. 8. Judgment Day. 9. Paul and Silas in jail. 10. Peter. 11. John's +vision on the Isle of Patmos. 12. Jesus Christ—his love and his +miracles. 13. "Servants, obey your Masters."</p> + +<p>Now it is strange enough that the ignorant slave, while adopting his +Master's religious topics, refused to adopt his hymns and proceeded to +make his own songs and to cluster all these songs in thought around the +Bible subjects with which he was acquainted. If the reader will get +nearly any copy of Jubilee Songs he will find that the larger number +group themselves<!-- Page 315 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span> about Jesus Christ and the others cluster about Moses, +Daniel, Judgment Day, etc., subjects partially known and handled by the +preachers in their sermons. There is just one exception. There is no +Jubilee Song on "Servants, obey your Masters." We shall leave for the +"feeble" imagination of the reader the reason why. The Negroes +practically left out of their Jubilee Songs, Jeremiah, Job, Abraham, +Isaac, Solomon, Samuel, Ezra, Mark, Luke, John, James, The Psalms, The +Proverbs, etc., simply because these subjects did not fall among those +taught them as preaching subjects.</p> + +<p>Now let us consider for a while the Negro's religion in Africa. Turning +to Bettanny's "The World's Religions" we learn the following facts about +aboriginal African worship.</p> + +<p>The Bushmen worshiped a Caddis worm and an antelope (a species of deer). +The Damaras believed that they and all living creatures descended from a +kind of tree and they worshiped that tree. The Mulungu worshiped +alligators and lion-shaped idols. The Fantis considered snakes and many +other animals messengers of spirits. The Dahomans worshiped snakes, a +silk tree, a poison tree and a kind of ocean god whom they called Hu.</p> + +<p>Now turning our attention to Negro Folk<!-- Page 316 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span> Rhymes we find them clustering +around the animals of aboriginal African Folk worship. The Negro stories +recorded by Mr. Harris center around these animals also. In the Folk +Rhyme "Walk Tom Wilson" our hero steps on an alligator. In "The Ark" the +lion almost breaks out of his enclosure of palings. In one rhyme the +snake is described as descended from the Devil and then the Devil +figures prominently in many Rhymes. Then we have "Green Oak Tree +Rocky-o" answering to the tree worship.</p> + +<p>I have placed in our collection of Rhymes a small foreign section +including African Rhymes. I have recorded precious few but those few are +enough to show two things. (1) That the Negro of savage Africa has the +rhyme-making habit and probably has always had it, and thus the American +Negro brought this habit with him to America. (2) That a small handful +from darkest Africa contains stanzas on the owl, the frog, and the +turkey buzzard just like the American rhymes.</p> + +<p>Knowing that the Negro made rhymes in Africa, and knowing that he +centered his Jubilee Song words around his American Christian religion, +is it not reasonable to suppose that he centered his secular or African +Rhymes around his African religion? He must have done so unless he +changed<!-- Page 317 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> all his rhyme-making habits after coming to America, for he +certainly clustered his American verse largely around his religion. +Assuming this to be true the large amount of animal lore in Negro rhyme +and story is at once explained.</p> + +<p>Possibly the greatest hindrance to one's coming to this conclusion is +the fact that the Rabbit and some other animals found in Negro rhyme and +story do not appear in the records among those worshiped by aboriginal +Africans. The known record of the Africans' early religion covers only a +very few pages. Christians have not been willing to spend any time to +speak of in investigating the religions of the primitive and the lowly. +Thus if these animals were widely worshiped it would not be strange if +we should never have heard of it. Let us consider what is known, +however.</p> + +<p>Taking up the matter of the rabbit Mr. John McBride, Jr., had a very +fine and lengthy discussion on "Br'er Rabbit in the Folk Tales of the +Negro and other Races" in <i>The Sewanee Review</i>, April, 1911. On page 201 +of that journal's issue we find these words: "Among the Hottentots, for +example, there is a story in which the hare appears in the moon and of +which several versions are extant. The story goes that the moon sent the +hare to the earth<!-- Page 318 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span> to inform men that, as she died away and rose again, +so should all men die and again come to life," etc. I drop the story +here because so much of it suffices my purpose. It brings out the fact +that the African here had probably truly considered the Rabbit as a +messenger of the moon. Now the fact that the Hottentots were thus +talking in lore of receiving messages concerning immortality from the +moon means there must have been at least a time in their history when +they considered the Moon a kind of super-being, a kind of god.</p> + +<p>I quote again from Dr. Sheppard's "Presbyterian Pioneers in Congo," page +113. "King Lukenga offers up a sacrifice of a goat or lamb on every new +moon. The blood is sprinkled on a large idol in his own fetich house, in +the presence of all his counselors. This sacrifice is for the +healthfulness of all the King's country, for the crops," etc.</p> + +<p>I think after considering the foregoing one will see that there are +those of Africa who connect their worship with the moon. We learn also +that there are those who claim the rabbit to be the moon's messenger. +From this, if we should accept the theory for Animal Rhymes advanced, we +would easily see why the rabbit as a messenger of a god or gods would +figure so largely in Rhyme and in story. We<!-- Page 319 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span> also would easily see how +and why as a messenger of a god he would become "Brother Rabbit." If one +will read the little Rhyme "Jaybird" he will notice that the rhymer +places the intelligence of the rabbit above his own. Our theory accounts +for this.</p> + +<p>I would next consider the frog, but I imagine I hear the reader saying: +"That is not a beginning. How about your bear, terrapin, wolf, squirrel, +etc.?"</p> + +<p>Seeing that I am faced by so large an array of animals, I beg the reader +to walk with me through just one more little path of thought and with +his consent I shall leave the matter there.</p> + +<p>We see, in two of our African Rhymes, lines on a buzzard and an owl; yet +these African natives do not worship these birds. The American Negro +children of my childhood repeated Folk Rhymes concerning the rabbit, the +fox, etc., without any thought whatever of worshiping them. These +American children had received the whole through dim traditional rhymes +and stories and engaged in passing them on to others without any special +thought. The uncivilized and the unlettered hand down everything by word +of mouth. Religion, trades, superstition, medicine, sense, and nonsense +all flow in the same stream and from this stream all is drunk down +without question. If therefore the Negro's rhyme-clustering<!-- Page 320 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span> habit in +America was the same as it had ever been and the centering of rhymes +about animals is due to a former worship of them in Africa, the verses +would include not only the animals worshiped in modern Africa but in +ancient Africa. The verses would take in animals included in any +accepted African religion antedating the comparatively recent religions +found there.</p> + +<p>The Bakuba tribe have a tradition of their origin. Quoting from Dr. +Sheppard's book again, page 114, we have the following: "From all the +information I can gather, they (the Bakuba) migrated from the far North, +crossed rivers and settled on the high table land." Here is one +tradition, standing as a guide post, with its hand pointing toward +Egypt. A one fact premise practically never forms a safe basis for a +conclusion, but when we couple this tradition with the fact that, so far +as we know, men originated in Southwest Asia and therefore probably came +into Africa by way of the Isthmus of Suez, I think the case of the +Bakuba hand pointing toward a near Egyptian residence a strong one. Now +turn to your Encyclopedia Britannica, Vol. X, ninth edition, with +American revisions and additions, to the article on "Glass," page 647. +Near the bottom of the second column on that page we read: "The<!-- Page 321 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span> +Phoenicians probably derived this knowledge of the art (of glass making) +from Egypt. * * * It seems probable that the earliest products of the +industry of Phoenicia in the art of glass making are the colored beads +which have been found in almost all parts of Europe, in India, and other +parts of Asia, and in <i>Africa</i>. The "aggry" beads so much valued by the +<i>Ashantees and other natives</i> of that part of Africa which lies near the +Gold Coast, have <i>probably</i> the same origin. * * * Their wide dispersion +may be referred with much probability to their having been objects of +barter between the Phoenician merchants and the barbarous inhabitants of +the various countries with which they traded." Here are evidences, then, +that the African in his prehistoric days traded with somebody who +bartered in beads of Phoenician or Egyptian make. I say Egyptian or +Phoenician because if the Phoenicians got this art from the Egyptians I +think it would be very difficult for those who lived thousands of years +afterward to be sure in which country a specific bead was made, the art +as practiced by one country being a kind of copy of the art as practiced +in the other country. With the historic record that the Phoenicians were +the great traders of the Ancient World our writers attributed the +carrying of the beads into Africa, among the natives,<!-- Page 322 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span> to the +Phoenicians. Without questioning these time-honored conclusions, we do +know that Egyptian caravans still make journeys into the interior of +Africa for the purpose of trade. Shall we think this trading practice on +the part of Egypt in Africa one of recent origin or probably one that +runs back through the centuries? I see no reason for believing this +trading custom to be other than an ancient one. If the ancient Egyptians +traded with the surrounding Africans and these Africans gradually +migrated South, as is stated in the Bakuba tradition, the whole matter +of how all kinds of animals got mixed into Negro Folk Rhymes by custom +becomes clear. It also will explain how animal worship got scattered +throughout Africa, for it is the unbroken history of the world that +traders of a race superior in attainment always somehow manage to carry +along their religion to the race inferior in attainment. The religious +emissaries generally follow along in the wake of the traders. If we make +the assumption, on the foregoing grounds, that the very ancient African +Negro got in touch with the religion of Ancient Egypt, then the +appearance of the frog, birds, etc., in Negro Rhyme is explained, for if +we read the lists of animal gods of Ancient Egypt and the animal states +through which spirits were<!-- Page 323 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span> supposed to pass, we have no trouble finding +the list of animals extolled in Negro rhyme and story.</p> + +<p>If Negro Rhyme has always centered about Negro religion, then when the +Negro was brought to America and began changing his religion, he should +have had some songs or rhymes on the dividing line between the old and +the new. In other words, there ought to be connecting links between +"secular" Folk Rhymes and Jubilee Songs, songs that by nature partake of +both types. This must happen in order to be in accord with the law of +the presence of connecting links where evolution produces a new type +from an old one. By using the procedure under Mendel's law of mating +like descendants from a cross between two and by eliminating those who +do not reproduce constant to the type which we are trying to produce, we +can produce a new and constant type in the third succeeding generation +of descendants.</p> + +<p>Now the Negro slave turned quickly in America from heathenism to +Christianity. This was accomplished through white Christians correcting +and eliminating all thoughts and productions which hovered on the border +line between heathen ideals and Christianity. They used the Mendelian +procedure of eliminating all crosses that did not give a product with +Christian characteristics and thus necessarily<!-- Page 324 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span> eliminated Rhymes or +songs of the connecting link type. They did a good thorough job but the +writer believes he sees two connecting links that escaped their +sensitive ears and sharp eyes. They are Jubilee songs; one is "Keep +inching along like a poor inch worm, Jesus will come by-and-by," the +other is "Go chain the lion down before the Heaven doors close."</p> + +<p>The reader will recall that I have already shown that the worm and the +lion were connected with native African worship. Of course we all know +quite well that a "Caddis worm" is not an "Inch worm," but for a man +trying to turn from the old to the new, from idolatry to Christianity, a +closer relation than this might not be very comfortable neutral ground.</p> + +<p>The following Folk Rhymes found in our collection might also pass for +connecting links: "Jawbone," "Outrunning the Devil," "How to Get to +Glory Land," "The Ark," "Destinies of Good and Bad Children," "How to +Keep or Kill the Devil," "Ration Day," and "When My Wife Dies." The +superstitions of the Negro Rhymes are possibly only fossils left in one +way or another by ancient native African worship.</p> + +<p>In a few Rhymes the vice of stealing is either<!-- Page 325 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span> laughed at, or +apparently laughed at. Such Rhymes carry on their face a strictly +American slave origin. An example is found in "Christmas Turkey." If one +asks how I know its origin to be American, the answer is that the native +African had no such thing as Christmas and turkeys are indigenous to +America. In explanation of the origin of these "stealing" Rhymes I would +say that it was never the Negro slave's viewpoint that his hard-earned +productions righteously belonged to another. His whole viewpoint in all +such cases, where he sang in this kind of verse, is well summed up in +the last two lines of this little Rhyme itself:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"I tuck mysef to my tucky roos',<br /></span> +<span class="i0">An' I brung <i>my</i> tucky home."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>To the Negro it was his turkey. This was the Negro slave view and +accounts for the origin and evolution of such verse. We leave to others +a fair discussion of the ethics and a righteous conclusion; only asking +them in fairness to conduct the discussion in the light of slave +conditions and slave surroundings.</p> + +<p>In a few of the Folk Rhymes one stanza will be found to be longer than +any of the others. Now as to the origin of this, in the case of those +sung whose tunes I happen to know, the long stanza was used<!-- Page 326 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span> as a kind +of chorus, while the other stanzas were used as song "verses." I +therefore think this is probably true in all cases. The reader will note +that the long stanza is written first in many cases. This is because the +Negro habitually begins his song with the Chorus, which is just the +opposite to the custom of the Caucasian who begins his ordinary songs +with the verse. This appears then to be the possible genesis of stanzas +of unequal length.</p> + +<p>I have written this little treatise on the use, origin, and evolution of +the Negro Rhyme with much hesitation. I finally decided to do it only +because I thought a truthful statement of fact concerning Negro Folk +Rhymes might prove a help to those who are expert investigators in the +field of literature and who are in search of the origin of all Folk +literature and finally of all literature. The Negro being the last to +come to the bright light of civilization has given or probably will give +the last crop of Folk Rhymes. Human processes being largely the same, I +hope that my little personal knowledge of the Negro Rhymes may help +others in the other larger literary fields.</p> + +<p>I am hoping that it may help and I am penning the last strokes to record +my sincere desire that it may in no way hinder.</p> + +<p><!-- Page 327 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span></p> +<h2>GENERAL INDEX</h2> + +<h3>Part I</h3> + +<ul> +<li>A. B. C., <a href="#Page_154">154</a></li> +<li>Alabama Way, The, <a href="#Page_164">164</a></li> +<li>Anchor Line, <a href="#Page_87">87</a></li> +<li>Animal Attire, <a href="#Page_158">158</a></li> +<li>Animal Fair, <a href="#Page_159">159</a></li> +<li>Animal Persecutors, <a href="#Page_205">205</a></li> +<li>Antebellum Courtship Inquiry, <a href="#Page_135">135</a></li> +<li>Antebellum Marriage Proposal, <a href="#Page_137">137</a></li> +<li>Are You Careful, <a href="#Page_203">203</a></li> +<li>Ark, The, <a href="#Page_44">44</a></li> +<li>As I Went to Shiloh, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> +<li>Aspiration, <a href="#Page_159">159</a></li> +<li>Aunt Dinah Drunk, <a href="#Page_53">53</a></li> +<li>Aunt Jemima, <a href="#Page_107">107</a></li> +<li>Awful Harbingers, <a href="#Page_149">149</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Baa! Baa! Black Sheep, <a href="#Page_27">27</a></li> +<li>Baby Wants Cherries, <a href="#Page_181">181</a></li> +<li>Bad Features, <a href="#Page_100">100</a></li> +<li>Banjo Picking, The, <a href="#Page_21">21</a></li> +<li>Bat! Bat! <a href="#Page_202">202</a></li> +<li>Bedbug, <a href="#Page_96">96</a></li> +<li>Bitter Lovers' Quarrel, A, <a href="#Page_127">127</a></li> +<li>Black-eyed Peas For Luck, <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> +<li>Blessings, <a href="#Page_204">204</a></li> +<li>Blindfold Play Chant, <a href="#Page_73">73</a></li> +<li>Bob-White's Song, <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li> +<li>Bought Me a Wife, <a href="#Page_145">145</a></li> +<li>Brag and Boast, <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li>Bridle up a Rat, <a href="#Page_157">157</a> +<!-- Page 328 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span></li> +<li>Bring on your Hot Corn, <a href="#Page_29">29</a></li> +<li>Brother Ben and Sister Sal, <a href="#Page_46">46</a></li> +<li>Buck and Berry, <a href="#Page_172">172</a></li> +<li>Buck-eyed Rabbit! Whoopee!, <a href="#Page_175">175</a></li> +<li>Budget, A, <a href="#Page_79">79</a></li> +<li>Bull Frog Put on the Soldier Clothes, <a href="#Page_20">20</a></li> +<li>Butterfly, <a href="#Page_182">182</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Captain Coon, <a href="#Page_176">176</a></li> +<li>Captain Dime, <a href="#Page_5">5</a></li> +<li>Care in Bread-making, <a href="#Page_112">112</a></li> +<li>Caught by the Witch Play, <a href="#Page_74">74</a></li> +<li>Chicken in the Bread Tray, <a href="#Page_7">7</a></li> +<li>Chicken Pie, <a href="#Page_69">69</a></li> +<li>Children's Seating Rhyme, <a href="#Page_179">179</a></li> +<li>Christmas Turkey, <a href="#Page_98">98</a></li> +<li>Chuck Will's Widow Song, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li> +<li>Clandestine Letter, A, <a href="#Page_136">136</a></li> +<li>Coffee Grows on White Folks' Trees, <a href="#Page_107">107</a></li> +<li>College Ox, The, <a href="#Page_112">112</a></li> +<li>Cooking Dinner, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li> +<li>Cotton-eyed Joe, <a href="#Page_32">32</a></li> +<li>Courting Boy, The, <a href="#Page_141">141</a></li> +<li>Courtship, <a href="#Page_138">138</a></li> +<li>Cow Needs a Tail in Fly-time, The, <a href="#Page_35">35</a></li> +<li>Crooked Nose Jane, <a href="#Page_99">99</a></li> +<li>Crossing a Foot-Log, <a href="#Page_109">109</a></li> +<li>Crossing the River, <a href="#Page_6">6</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><ins class="correction" title="original reads: Day's Happenings, A,">Day's Happiness, A,</ins> <a href="#Page_125">125</a></li> +<li>Deedle, Dumpling, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li> +<li>Destinies of Good and Bad Children, <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> +<li>Destitute Former Slave Owners, <a href="#Page_97">97</a></li> +<li>Devilish Pigs, <a href="#Page_24">24</a></li> +<li>Did You Feed My Cow? <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> +<li>Die in the Pig-Pen Fighting, <a href="#Page_39">39</a></li> +<li>Dinah's Dinner Horn, <a href="#Page_18">18</a></li> +<li>Do I Love You? <a href="#Page_129">129</a> +<!-- Page 329 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span></li> +<li>Does Money Talk?, <a href="#Page_113">113</a></li> +<li>Don't Ask Me Questions, <a href="#Page_63">63</a></li> +<li>Don't Sing before Breakfast, <a href="#Page_186">186</a></li> +<li>Don't Tell All You Know, <a href="#Page_214">214</a></li> +<li>Doodle-Bug, <a href="#Page_174">174</a></li> +<li>Down in the Lonesome Garden, <a href="#Page_89">89</a></li> +<li>Drinking Razor Soup, <a href="#Page_211">211</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Elephant, The, <a href="#Page_116">116</a></li> +<li>End of Ten Little Negroes, The, <a href="#Page_163">163</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Fattening Frogs for Snakes, <a href="#Page_97">97</a></li> +<li>Fed From the Tree of Knowledge, <a href="#Page_212">212</a></li> +<li>Few Negroes by States, A, <a href="#Page_117">117</a></li> +<li>Fine Plaster, A, <a href="#Page_124">124</a></li> +<li>Fishing Simon, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li> +<li>Flap-jacks, <a href="#Page_196">196</a></li> +<li>Forty-four, <a href="#Page_71">71</a></li> +<li>Four Runaway Negroes; Whence They Came, <a href="#Page_205">205</a></li> +<li>Fox and Geese, <a href="#Page_40">40</a></li> +<li>Fox and Geese Play, <a href="#Page_73">73</a></li> +<li>Fox and Rabbit Drinking Propositions, <a href="#Page_111">111</a></li> +<li>Frightened Away from a Chicken-Roost, <a href="#Page_95">95</a></li> +<li>Frog in a Mill (Guinea or Ebo Rhyme), <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li> +<li>Frog Went a-Courting, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> +<li>From Slavery, <a href="#Page_162">162</a></li> +<li>Full Pocketbook, A, <a href="#Page_99">99</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Getting Ten Negro Boys Together, <a href="#Page_184">184</a></li> +<li>Go to Bed, <a href="#Page_175">175</a></li> +<li>Going To Be Good Slaves, <a href="#Page_101">101</a></li> +<li>Good-by, Ring, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li> +<li>Good-by, Wife!, <a href="#Page_148">148</a></li> +<li>Gooseberry Wine, <a href="#Page_41">41</a></li> +<li>Goosie-Gander Play Rhyme, <a href="#Page_75">75</a></li> +<li>Grasshopper Sense, <a href="#Page_169">169</a></li> +<li>Grasshopper Sitting on a Sweet Potato Vine, <a href="#Page_173">173</a></li> +<li>Gray and Black Horses, <a href="#Page_45">45</a></li> +<li>Great Owl's Song, The, <a href="#Page_151">151</a> +<!-- Page 330 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span></li> +<li>Green Oak Tree! Rocky-o!, <a href="#Page_81">81</a></li> +<li>Guinea Gall, <a href="#Page_176">176</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Half Way Doings, <a href="#Page_120">120</a></li> +<li>Ham Beats all Meat, <a href="#Page_67">67</a></li> +<li>Harvest Song, <a href="#Page_57">57</a></li> +<li>Hated Blackbird and Crow, The, <a href="#Page_183">183</a></li> +<li>Hawk and Buzzard, <a href="#Page_75">75</a></li> +<li>Hawk and Chickens, <a href="#Page_185">185</a></li> +<li>Hawk and Chickens Play, <a href="#Page_74">74</a></li> +<li>He Is My Horse, <a href="#Page_16">16</a></li> +<li>He Loves Sugar and Tea, <a href="#Page_84">84</a></li> +<li>He Paid Me Seven (Parody), <a href="#Page_122">122</a></li> +<li>He Will Get Mr. Coon, <a href="#Page_28">28</a></li> +<li>Hear-say, <a href="#Page_114">114</a></li> +<li>Here Comes a Young Man Courting, <a href="#Page_85">85</a></li> +<li>Here I Stand, <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li> +<li>Hoecake, <a href="#Page_49">49</a></li> +<li>How to Get to Glory Land, <a href="#Page_96">96</a></li> +<li>How to Keep or Kill The Devil, <a href="#Page_104">104</a></li> +<li>How to Make it Rain, <a href="#Page_101">101</a></li> +<li>How to Plant and Cultivate Seeds, <a href="#Page_208">208</a></li> +<li>How to Please a Preacher, <a href="#Page_117">117</a></li> +<li>Hunting Camp, The, <a href="#Page_43">43</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>I am not Going to Hobo Any More, <a href="#Page_70">70</a></li> +<li>I Love Somebody, <a href="#Page_51">51</a></li> +<li>I Walked the Roads, <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> +<li>I Went down the Road, <a href="#Page_50">50</a></li> +<li>I Wish I Was an Apple, <a href="#Page_133">133</a></li> +<li>I Would not Marry a Black Girl, <a href="#Page_56">56</a></li> +<li>I Would not Marry A Yellow Or A White Negro Girl, <a href="#Page_63">63</a></li> +<li>I'd rather Be a Negro than a Poor White Man, <a href="#Page_42">42</a></li> +<li>I'll Eat When I'm Hungry, <a href="#Page_114">114</a></li> +<li>I'll Get You, Rabbit!, <a href="#Page_116">116</a></li> +<li>I'll Wear Me a Cotton Dress, <a href="#Page_118">118</a> +<!-- Page 331 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span></li> +<li>I'm a "Round-Town" Gentleman, <a href="#Page_108">108</a></li> +<li>If You Frown, <a href="#Page_137">137</a></li> +<li>In '76, <a href="#Page_178">178</a></li> +<li>In a Mulberry Tree, <a href="#Page_158">158</a></li> +<li>In a Rush, <a href="#Page_183">183</a></li> +<li>Independent, <a href="#Page_209">209</a></li> +<li>Indian Flea, <a href="#Page_12">12</a></li> +<li>Invited to Take the Escort's Arm, <a href="#Page_135">135</a></li> +<li>It Is Hard to Love, <a href="#Page_132">132</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Jack and Dinah Want Freedom, <a href="#Page_215">215</a></li> +<li>Jackson, Put that Kettle On!, <a href="#Page_17">17</a></li> +<li>Jawbone, <a href="#Page_12">12</a></li> +<li>Jaybird, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> +<li>Jaybird Died with the Whooping Cough, <a href="#Page_36">36</a></li> +<li>Joe and Malinda Jane, <a href="#Page_4">4</a></li> +<li>John Henry, <a href="#Page_105">105</a></li> +<li>Johnny Bigfoot, <a href="#Page_93">93</a></li> +<li>Jonah's Band Party, <a href="#Page_1">1</a></li> +<li>Juba, <a href="#Page_9">9</a></li> +<li>Judge Buzzard, <a href="#Page_16">16</a></li> +<li>Jump Jim Crow, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Kept Busy, <a href="#Page_109">109</a></li> +<li>Kissing Song, <a href="#Page_82">82</a></li> +<li>Kneel on This Carpet, <a href="#Page_82">82</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Last of Jack, The, <a href="#Page_149">149</a></li> +<li>Learn to Count, <a href="#Page_207">207</a></li> +<li>"Let's Marry" Courtship, <a href="#Page_138">138</a></li> +<li>Likes and Dislikes, <a href="#Page_76">76</a></li> +<li>Little Boy Who Couldn't Count Seven, <a href="#Page_160">160</a></li> +<li>Little Dogs, <a href="#Page_150">150</a></li> +<li>Little Negro Fly, The, <a href="#Page_199">199</a></li> +<li>Little Pickaninny, A, <a href="#Page_186">186</a></li> +<li>Little Red Hen, <a href="#Page_37">37</a></li> +<li>Little Rooster, The, <a href="#Page_29">29</a></li> +<li>Little Sister, Won't You Marry Me? <a href="#Page_90">90</a></li> +<li>Little Sleeping Negroes, <a href="#Page_187">187</a></li> +<li>Looking for a Fight, <a href="#Page_118">118</a> +<!-- Page 332 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span></li> +<li>Love Is Just a Thing of Fancy, <a href="#Page_2">2</a></li> +<li>Lovers' Good-night, <a href="#Page_129">129</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Mamma's Darling, <a href="#Page_188">188</a></li> +<li>Man of Words, A, <a href="#Page_208">208</a></li> +<li>Master is Six Feet One Way, <a href="#Page_40">40</a></li> +<li>Master Killed a Big Bull, <a href="#Page_126">126</a></li> +<li>Master's "Stolen" Coat, The, <a href="#Page_62">62</a></li> +<li>Me and my Lover, <a href="#Page_132">132</a></li> +<li>Miss Blodger, <a href="#Page_199">199</a></li> +<li>Miss Slippy Sloppy, <a href="#Page_100">100</a></li> +<li>Miss Terrapin and Miss Toad, <a href="#Page_162">162</a></li> +<li>Molly Cottontail, <a href="#Page_8">8</a></li> +<li>Mother Says I am Six Years Old, <a href="#Page_164">164</a></li> +<li>Mourning Slave Fiancees, <a href="#Page_129">129</a></li> +<li>Mud-Log Pond, <a href="#Page_185">185</a></li> +<li>Mule's Kick, The, <a href="#Page_98">98</a></li> +<li>Mule's Nature, The, <a href="#Page_108">108</a></li> +<li>My Baby, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li> +<li>My Dog, Cuff, <a href="#Page_150">150</a></li> +<li>My Fiddle, <a href="#Page_39">39</a></li> +<li>My First and my Second Wife, <a href="#Page_147">147</a></li> +<li>My Folks and your Folks, <a href="#Page_187">187</a></li> +<li>My Little Pig, <a href="#Page_157">157</a></li> +<li>My Mule, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> +<li>My Speckled Hen, <a href="#Page_170">170</a></li> +<li>My Wonderful Travel, <a href="#Page_55">55</a></li> +<li>Mysterious Face Washing, <a href="#Page_174">174</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Nashville Ladies, The, <a href="#Page_106">106</a></li> +<li>Negro and the Policeman, The, <a href="#Page_66">66</a></li> +<li>Negro Baker Man, <a href="#Page_154">154</a></li> +<li>Negro Soldier's Civil War Chant, <a href="#Page_115">115</a></li> +<li>Negroes Never Die, <a href="#Page_11">11</a></li> +<li>Nesting, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li> +<li>Newly Weds, The, <a href="#Page_144">144</a></li> +<li>No Room to Poke Fun, <a href="#Page_99">99</a></li> +<li>Nobody Looking, <a href="#Page_48">48</a> +<!-- Page 333 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Off from Richmond, <a href="#Page_15">15</a></li> +<li>Old Aunt Kate, <a href="#Page_179">179</a></li> +<li>Old Black Gnats, The, <a href="#Page_80">80</a></li> +<li>Old Gray Mink, <a href="#Page_33">33</a></li> +<li>Old Hen Cackled, The, <a href="#Page_50">50</a></li> +<li>Old Man Know-all, <a href="#Page_211">211</a></li> +<li>Old Molly Hare, <a href="#Page_22">22</a></li> +<li>Old Section Boss, The, <a href="#Page_64">64</a></li> +<li>Old Woman in the Hills, The, <a href="#Page_54">54</a></li> +<li>On Top of the Pot, <a href="#Page_10">10</a></li> +<li>Opossum Hunt, An, <a href="#Page_23">23</a></li> +<li>Origin of the Snake, The, <a href="#Page_165">165</a></li> +<li>Our Old Mule, <a href="#Page_112">112</a></li> +<li>Outrunning the Devil, <a href="#Page_103">103</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Page's Geese, <a href="#Page_102">102</a></li> +<li>Parody—He Paid Me Seven, <a href="#Page_122">122</a></li> +<li>Parody on "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep", <a href="#Page_115">115</a></li> +<li>Parody on "Reign, Master Jesus! Reign!", <a href="#Page_122">122</a></li> +<li>Paying Debts with Kicks, <a href="#Page_184">184</a></li> +<li>Peep Squirrel, <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> +<li>Periwinkle, <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> +<li>Pig Tail, <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li> +<li>Plaster, <a href="#Page_60">60</a></li> +<li>'Possum up the Gum Stump, <a href="#Page_3">3</a></li> +<li>Precious Things, <a href="#Page_84">84</a></li> +<li>Presenting a Hat to Phoebe, <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> +<li>Pretty Little Girl, <a href="#Page_172">172</a></li> +<li>Pretty Little Pink, <a href="#Page_127">127</a></li> +<li>Pretty Pair of Chickens, A, <a href="#Page_181">181</a></li> +<li>Pretty Polly Ann, <a href="#Page_142">142</a></li> +<li>Promises of Freedom, <a href="#Page_25">25</a></li> +<li><ins class="correction" title="While listed in the Index, this rhyme does not appear anywhere in the text.">Push the Hog's Feet under the Bed,</ins></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Rabbit Hash, <a href="#Page_203">203</a></li> +<li>Rabbit Soup, <a href="#Page_33">33</a></li> +<li>Raccoon and Opossum Fight, <a href="#Page_31">31</a></li> +<li>Race-starter's Rhyme, A, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li> +<li>Raise a "Rucus" To-night, <a href="#Page_90">90</a> +<!-- Page 334 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span></li> +<li>Randsome Tantsome, <a href="#Page_202">202</a></li> +<li>Rascal, The, <a href="#Page_106">106</a></li> +<li>Ration Day, <a href="#Page_38">38</a></li> +<li>Rattler, <a href="#Page_46">46</a></li> +<li>Raw Head and Bloody Bones, <a href="#Page_174">174</a></li> +<li>Redhead Woodpecker, <a href="#Page_178">178</a></li> +<li>Rejected by Eliza Jane, <a href="#Page_134">134</a></li> +<li>Request to Sell, A, <a href="#Page_123">123</a></li> +<li>Roses Red, <a href="#Page_128">128</a></li> +<li>Run, Nigger, Run!, <a href="#Page_34">34</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Sail Away, Ladies!, <a href="#Page_20">20</a></li> +<li>Sallie, <a href="#Page_87">87</a></li> +<li>Salt-rising Bread, <a href="#Page_83">83</a></li> +<li>Sam Is a Clever Fellow, <a href="#Page_151">151</a></li> +<li>Satan, <a href="#Page_93">93</a></li> +<li>Self-control, <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li>Sex Laugh, <a href="#Page_102">102</a></li> +<li>Shake the Persimmons Down, <a href="#Page_34">34</a></li> +<li>She Hugged Me and Kissed Me, <a href="#Page_131">131</a></li> +<li>Sheep and Goat, <a href="#Page_17">17</a></li> +<li>Sheep Shell Corn, <a href="#Page_59">59</a></li> +<li>Shoo! Shoo!, <a href="#Page_196">196</a></li> +<li>Short Letter, A, <a href="#Page_113">113</a></li> +<li>Sick Wife, A, <a href="#Page_55">55</a></li> +<li>Simon Slick's Mule, <a href="#Page_47">47</a></li> +<li>Slave Marriage Ceremony Supplement, <a href="#Page_143">143</a></li> +<li>Snail's Reply, The, <a href="#Page_170">170</a></li> +<li>Song to the Runaway Slave, <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> +<li>Sparking or Courting, <a href="#Page_136">136</a></li> +<li>Speak Softly, <a href="#Page_214">214</a></li> +<li>Stand Back, Black Man, <a href="#Page_10">10</a></li> +<li>Stealing a Ride, <a href="#Page_188">188</a></li> +<li>Stick-a-ma-stew, <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li> +<li>Still Water Creek, <a href="#Page_2">2</a></li> +<li>Still Water Runs Deep, <a href="#Page_214">214</a></li> +<li>Strange Brood, A, <a href="#Page_166">166</a></li> +<li>Strange Family, A, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li> +<li>Strange Old Woman, A, <a href="#Page_178">178</a> +<!-- Page 335 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span></li> +<li>Strong Hands, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li> +<li>Sugar in Coffee, <a href="#Page_30">30</a></li> +<li>Sugar Loaf Tea, <a href="#Page_81">81</a></li> +<li>Susan Jane, <a href="#Page_77">77</a></li> +<li>Susie Girl, <a href="#Page_76">76</a></li> +<li>Suze Ann, <a href="#Page_68">68</a></li> +<li>Sweet Pinks and Roses, <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Tails, <a href="#Page_5">5</a></li> +<li>Taking a Walk, <a href="#Page_183">183</a></li> +<li>Teaching Table Manners, <a href="#Page_197">197</a></li> +<li>Temperance Rhyme, <a href="#Page_209">209</a></li> +<li>That Hypocrite, <a href="#Page_210">210</a></li> +<li>"They Steal" Gossip, <a href="#Page_110">110</a></li> +<li>This Sun is Hot, <a href="#Page_108">108</a></li> +<li>Thrifty Slave, The, <a href="#Page_94">94</a></li> +<li>To Win a Yellow Girl, <a href="#Page_102">102</a></li> +<li>Tongue, The, <a href="#Page_212">212</a></li> +<li>Too Much Watermelon, <a href="#Page_182">182</a></li> +<li>Town Bird and the Country Bird, The, <a href="#Page_166">166</a></li> +<li>Training the Boy, <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> +<li>Tree Frogs (Guinea or Ebo Rhyme), <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li> +<li>Turkey Funeral, A, <a href="#Page_111">111</a></li> +<li>T-U-Turkey, <a href="#Page_6">6</a></li> +<li>Turtle's Song, The, <a href="#Page_30">30</a></li> +<li>Two Sick Negro Boys, <a href="#Page_173">173</a></li> +<li>Two Times One, <a href="#Page_121">121</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Uncle Jerry Fants, <a href="#Page_109">109</a></li> +<li>Uncle Ned, <a href="#Page_61">61</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Vinie, <a href="#Page_130">130</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Walk, Talk, Chicken with your Head Pecked, <a href="#Page_4">4</a></li> +<li>Walk, Tom Wilson, <a href="#Page_68">68</a></li> +<li>Wanted: Cornbread and Coon, <a href="#Page_37">37</a></li> +<li>War is On, The, <a href="#Page_207">207</a></li> +<li>Washing Mamma's Dishes, <a href="#Page_189">189</a></li> +<li>Watermelon Preferred, <a href="#Page_110">110</a></li> +<li>We Are "All the Go", <a href="#Page_52">52</a></li> +<li>We'll Stick to the Hoe, <a href="#Page_123">123</a> +<!-- Page 336 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span></li> +<li>What Will We Do for Bacon?, <a href="#Page_185">185</a></li> +<li>When I Go to Marry, <a href="#Page_144">144</a></li> +<li>When I Was a Little Boy, <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li> +<li>When I Was a Roustabout, <a href="#Page_145">145</a></li> +<li>When My Wife Dies, <a href="#Page_26">26</a></li> +<li>Why Look at Me, <a href="#Page_113">113</a></li> +<li>Why the Woodpecker's Head Is Red, <a href="#Page_203">203</a></li> +<li>Wild Hog Hunt, <a href="#Page_165">165</a></li> +<li>Wild Negro Bill, <a href="#Page_94">94</a></li> +<li>Willie Wee, <a href="#Page_189">189</a></li> +<li>Wind Bag, A, <a href="#Page_101">101</a></li> +<li>Wooing, <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Year of Jubilee, <a href="#Page_58">58</a></li> +<li>You Had Better Mind Master, <a href="#Page_126">126</a></li> +<li>You Have Made Me Weep, <a href="#Page_128">128</a></li> +<li>You Love your Girl, <a href="#Page_95">95</a></li> +<li>Young Master and Old Master, <a href="#Page_169">169</a></li> +</ul> + +<h3>Foreign Section Index</h3> + +<ul> +<li><i>African Rhymes</i> + +<ul><li> Byanswahn-Byanswahn, <a href="#Page_219">219</a></li> +<li> Near Waldo Teedo o mah nah mejai, <a href="#Page_216">216</a></li> +<li> Sai Boddeoh Sumpun Komo, <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li> +<li> The Frogs, <a href="#Page_220">220</a></li> +<li> The Owl, <a href="#Page_217">217</a></li> +<li> The Turkey Buzzard, <a href="#Page_220">220</a></li> +<li> Tuba Blay, <a href="#Page_217">217</a></li></ul></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><i>A Philippine Island Rhyme</i>, <a href="#Page_227">227</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><i>Trinidad Rhymes</i> + +<ul> +<li> A Tom Cat, <a href="#Page_226">226</a></li> +<li><ins class="correction" title="original was not indented, and reads: Unbelle">Un Belle</ins> Marie Coolie, <a href="#Page_225">225</a></li></ul></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><i>Jamaica Rhyme</i> + + <ul><li>Buscher Garden, <a href="#Page_222">222</a></li></ul></li> +</ul> + +<ul><li><i>Venezuelan Rhymes</i> + + <ul><li>A "Would Be" Immigrant, <a href="#Page_224">224</a></li> + <li>Game Contestants' Song, <a href="#Page_223">223</a></li> +</ul></li> +</ul> + +<p><!-- Page 337 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span></p> +<h3>Part II</h3> + +<ul><li>A Study in Negro Folk Rhymes, <a href="#Page_228">228</a></li></ul> + +<h2>COMPARATIVE STUDY INDEX</h2> + +<h3 class="ital">Love Songs</h3> + +<ul> +<li>Bitter Lovers' Quarrel; One Side, <a href="#Page_127">127</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Courting Boy, The, <a href="#Page_141">141</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>It Is Hard to Love, <a href="#Page_132">132</a></li> +<li>I Wish I Was an Apple, <a href="#Page_133">133</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Lovers' Good-night, <a href="#Page_129">129</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Me and my Lover, <a href="#Page_132">132</a></li> +<li>Mourning Slave Fiancees, <a href="#Page_129">129</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Pretty Polly Ann, <a href="#Page_142">142</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Rejected by Eliza Jane, <a href="#Page_134">134</a></li> +<li>Roses Red, <a href="#Page_128">128</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>She Hugged Me and She Kissed Me, <a href="#Page_131">131</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Vinie, <a href="#Page_130">130</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Wooing, <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>You Have Made Me Weep, <a href="#Page_128">128</a></li> +<li>You Love your Girl, <a href="#Page_95">95</a></li> +</ul> + +<h3 class="ital">Dance Songs</h3> + +<ul> +<li>Ark, The, <a href="#Page_44">44</a></li> +<li>Aunt Dinah Drunk, <a href="#Page_53">53</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Baa! Baa! Black Sheep, <a href="#Page_27">27</a></li> +<li>Banjo Picking, <a href="#Page_21">21</a></li> +<li>Brother Ben and Sister Sal, <a href="#Page_46">46</a></li> +<li>Bull Frog Put on the Soldier Clothes, <a href="#Page_20">20</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Chicken Pie, <a href="#Page_69">69</a></li> +<li>Cotton-eyed Joe, <a href="#Page_32">32</a></li> +<li>Cow Needs a Tail in Fly-time, The, <a href="#Page_35">35</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Devilish Pigs, <a href="#Page_24">24</a></li> +<li>Die in the Pig-Pen Fighting, <a href="#Page_39">39</a></li> +<li>Dinah's Dinner Horn, <a href="#Page_18">18</a></li> +<li>Don't Ask Me Questions, <a href="#Page_63">63</a> +<!-- Page 338 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Forty-four, <a href="#Page_71">71</a></li> +<li>Fox and Geese, <a href="#Page_40">40</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Gooseberry Wine, <a href="#Page_41">41</a></li> +<li>Gray and Black Horses, <a href="#Page_45">45</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Ham Beats All Meat, <a href="#Page_67">67</a></li> +<li>He Is my Horse, <a href="#Page_16">16</a></li> +<li>Hoecake, <a href="#Page_49">49</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>I am not Going to Hobo Any More, <a href="#Page_70">70</a></li> +<li>I Love Somebody, <a href="#Page_51">51</a></li> +<li>I Went down the Road, <a href="#Page_50">50</a></li> +<li>I Would not Marry a Black Girl, <a href="#Page_56">56</a></li> +<li>I Would not Marry a Yellow or a White Negro Girl, <a href="#Page_63">63</a></li> +<li>I'd rather Be a Negro than a Poor White Man, <a href="#Page_42">42</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Jack and Dinah Want Freedom, <a href="#Page_215">215</a></li> +<li>Jaybird, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> +<li>Jaybird Died with the Whooping Cough, <a href="#Page_36">36</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Little Red Hen, <a href="#Page_37">37</a></li> +<li>Little Rooster, The, <a href="#Page_29">29</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Master is Six Feet One Way, <a href="#Page_40">40</a></li> +<li>Master's "Stolen Coat," The, <a href="#Page_62">62</a></li> +<li>My Fiddle, <a href="#Page_39">39</a></li> +<li>My Mule, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> +<li>My Wonderful Travel, <a href="#Page_55">55</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Negro and the Policeman, The, <a href="#Page_66">66</a></li> +<li>Nobody Looking, <a href="#Page_48">48</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Off from Richmond, <a href="#Page_15">15</a></li> +<li>Old Gray Mink, <a href="#Page_33">33</a></li> +<li>Old Hen Cackled, The, <a href="#Page_50">50</a></li> +<li>Old Molly Hare, <a href="#Page_22">22</a></li> +<li>Old Section Boss, The, <a href="#Page_64">64</a></li> +<li>Old Woman in the Hills, The, <a href="#Page_54">54</a></li> +<li>Opossum Hunt, An, <a href="#Page_23">23</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Plaster, <a href="#Page_60">60</a></li> +<li>'Possum up the Gum Stump, <a href="#Page_3">3</a></li> +<li>Promises of Freedom, <a href="#Page_25">25</a> +<!-- Page 339 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Rabbit Soup, <a href="#Page_33">33</a></li> +<li>Raccoon and Opossum Fight, <a href="#Page_31">31</a></li> +<li>Ration Day, <a href="#Page_38">38</a></li> +<li>Rattler, <a href="#Page_46">46</a></li> +<li>Run, Nigger, Run! <a href="#Page_34">34</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Sail Away, Ladies! <a href="#Page_20">20</a></li> +<li>Shake the Persimmons Down, <a href="#Page_34">34</a></li> +<li>Sheep and Goat, <a href="#Page_17">17</a></li> +<li>Sheep Shell Corn, <a href="#Page_59">59</a></li> +<li>Sick Wife, A, <a href="#Page_55">55</a></li> +<li>Simon Slick's Mule, <a href="#Page_47">47</a></li> +<li>Sugar in Coffee, <a href="#Page_30">30</a></li> +<li>Suze Ann, <a href="#Page_68">68</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Uncle Ned, <a href="#Page_61">61</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Walk, Tom Wilson, <a href="#Page_68">68</a></li> +<li>Wanted: Cornbread and Coon, <a href="#Page_37">37</a></li> +<li>We Are "All the Go", <a href="#Page_52">52</a></li> +<li>When My Wife Dies, <a href="#Page_26">26</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Year of Jubilee, <a href="#Page_58">58</a></li> +</ul> + +<h3 class="ital">Animal and Nature Lore</h3> + +<ul> +<li>Animal Attire, <a href="#Page_158">158</a></li> +<li>Animal Fair, <a href="#Page_159">159</a></li> +<li>Animal Persecutors, <a href="#Page_205">205</a></li> +<li>Awful Harbingers, <a href="#Page_149">149</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Bob-White's Song, <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li> +<li>Bridle Up a Rat, <a href="#Page_157">157</a></li> +<li>Buck and Berry, <a href="#Page_172">172</a></li> +<li>Buck-eyed Rabbit! Whoopee! <a href="#Page_175">175</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Chuck Will's Widow Song, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Frog in a Mill, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li> +<li>Frog Went a-Courting, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> +<li>Full Pocketbook, A, <a href="#Page_99">99</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Great Owl's Song, <a href="#Page_151">151</a> +<!-- Page 340 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Jaybird, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> +<li>Judge Buzzard, <a href="#Page_16">16</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Last of Jack, The, <a href="#Page_149">149</a></li> +<li>Little Dogs, <a href="#Page_150">150</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Man of Words, A, <a href="#Page_208">208</a></li> +<li>Miss Terrapin and Miss Toad, <a href="#Page_162">162</a></li> +<li>Molly Cottontail, <a href="#Page_8">8</a></li> +<li>My Dog, Cuff, <a href="#Page_150">150</a></li> +<li>My Speckled Hen, <a href="#Page_170">170</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Old Molly Hare, <a href="#Page_22">22</a></li> +<li>Origin of the Snake, The, <a href="#Page_165">165</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Snail's Reply, The, <a href="#Page_170">170</a></li> +<li>Strange Brood, A, <a href="#Page_166">166</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Tails, <a href="#Page_5">5</a></li> +<li>Town Bird and the Country Bird, The, <a href="#Page_166">166</a></li> +<li>Turtle's Song, The, <a href="#Page_30">30</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Why the Woodpecker's Head is Red, <a href="#Page_203">203</a></li> +</ul> + +<h3 class="ital">Nursery Rhymes</h3> + +<ul> +<li>A. B. C., <a href="#Page_154">154</a></li> +<li>Alabama Way, The, <a href="#Page_164">164</a></li> +<li>Animal Fair, <a href="#Page_159">159</a></li> +<li>Are You Careful?, <a href="#Page_203">203</a></li> +<li>Aspiration, <a href="#Page_159">159</a></li> +<li>Awful Harbingers, <a href="#Page_149">149</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Baby Wants Cherries, <a href="#Page_181">181</a></li> +<li>Bat! Bat!, <a href="#Page_202">202</a></li> +<li>Black-eyed Peas for Luck, <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> +<li>Blessings, <a href="#Page_204">204</a></li> +<li>Bob-White's Song, <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li> +<li>Buck-eyed Rabbit! Whoopee!, <a href="#Page_175">175</a></li> +<li>Butterfly, <a href="#Page_182">182</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Captain Coon, <a href="#Page_176">176</a></li> +<li>Children's Seating Rhyme, <a href="#Page_179">179</a> +<!-- Page 341 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span></li> +<li>Chuck Will's Widow Song, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li> +<li>Cooking Dinner, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li> +<li>Crossing the River, <a href="#Page_6">6</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Deedle, Dumpling, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li> +<li>Destinies of Good and Bad Children, <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> +<li>Did You Feed My Cow?, <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> +<li>Don't Sing before Breakfast, <a href="#Page_186">186</a></li> +<li>Doodle-Bug, <a href="#Page_174">174</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>End of Ten Little Negroes, The, <a href="#Page_163">163</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Fishing Simon, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li> +<li>Flap-jacks, <a href="#Page_196">196</a></li> +<li>Four Runaway Negroes; Whence They Came, <a href="#Page_205">205</a></li> +<li>Frog Went a-Courting, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> +<li>From Slavery, <a href="#Page_162">162</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Getting Ten Negro Boys Together, <a href="#Page_184">184</a></li> +<li>Go to Bed, <a href="#Page_175">175</a></li> +<li>Good-by, Ring, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li> +<li>Grasshopper Sitting on a Sweet Potato Vine, <a href="#Page_173">173</a></li> +<li>Grasshopper-Sense, <a href="#Page_169">169</a></li> +<li>Great Owl's Song, The, <a href="#Page_151">151</a></li> +<li>Guinea Gall, <a href="#Page_176">176</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Hated Blackbird and Crow, The, <a href="#Page_183">183</a></li> +<li>Hawk and Chickens, <a href="#Page_185">185</a></li> +<li>Here I Stand, <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>In '76, <a href="#Page_178">178</a></li> +<li>In a Mulberry Tree, <a href="#Page_158">158</a></li> +<li>In a Rush, <a href="#Page_183">183</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Judge Buzzard, <a href="#Page_16">16</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Little Boy Who Couldn't Count Seven, <a href="#Page_160">160</a></li> +<li>Little Dogs, <a href="#Page_150">150</a></li> +<li>Little Negro Fly, The, <a href="#Page_199">199</a></li> +<li>Little Pickaninny, A, <a href="#Page_186">186</a></li> +<li>Little Sleeping Negroes, <a href="#Page_187">187</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Mamma's Darling, <a href="#Page_188">188</a></li> +<li>Miss Blodger, <a href="#Page_199">199</a> +<!-- Page 342 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span></li> +<li>Miss Terrapin and Miss Toad, <a href="#Page_162">162</a></li> +<li>Mother Says I am Six Years Old, <a href="#Page_164">164</a></li> +<li>Mud-Log Pond, <a href="#Page_185">185</a></li> +<li>My Baby, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li> +<li>My Dog, Cuff, <a href="#Page_150">150</a></li> +<li>My Folks and your Folks, <a href="#Page_187">187</a></li> +<li>My Little Pig, <a href="#Page_157">157</a></li> +<li>My Speckled Hen, <a href="#Page_170">170</a></li> +<li>Mysterious Face Washing, <a href="#Page_174">174</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Negro Baker Man, <a href="#Page_154">154</a></li> +<li>Nesting, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Old Aunt Kate, <a href="#Page_179">179</a></li> +<li>Origin of the Snake, The, <a href="#Page_165">165</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Paying Debts with Kicks, <a href="#Page_184">184</a></li> +<li>Periwinkle, <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> +<li>Pig Tail, <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li> +<li>'Possum up the Gum Stump, <a href="#Page_3">3</a></li> +<li>Pretty Little Girl, <a href="#Page_172">172</a></li> +<li>Pretty Pair of Chickens, A, <a href="#Page_181">181</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Rabbit Hash, <a href="#Page_203">203</a></li> +<li>Rabbit Soup, <a href="#Page_33">33</a></li> +<li>Race-Starter's Rhyme, A, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li> +<li>Randsome Tantsome, <a href="#Page_202">202</a></li> +<li>Raw Head and Bloody Bones, <a href="#Page_174">174</a></li> +<li>Redhead Woodpecker, <a href="#Page_178">178</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Sam is a Clever Fellow, <a href="#Page_151">151</a></li> +<li>Shoo! Shoo!, <a href="#Page_196">196</a></li> +<li>Stealing a Ride, <a href="#Page_188">188</a></li> +<li>Stick-a-ma-stew, <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li> +<li>Strange Family, A, <a href="#Page_171">171</a></li> +<li>Strange Old Woman, A, <a href="#Page_178">178</a></li> +<li>Strong Hands, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Tails, <a href="#Page_5">5</a></li> +<li>Taking a Walk, <a href="#Page_183">183</a></li> +<li>Teaching Table Manners, <a href="#Page_197">197</a> +<!-- Page 343 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span></li> +<li>Too Much Watermelon, <a href="#Page_182">182</a></li> +<li>Training the Boy, <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> +<li>Tree Frogs, <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li> +<li>Turtle's Song, The, <a href="#Page_30">30</a></li> +<li>Two Sick Negro Boys, <a href="#Page_173">173</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Washing Mamma's Dishes, <a href="#Page_189">189</a></li> +<li>What Will We Do for Bacon?, <a href="#Page_185">185</a></li> +<li>Wild Hog Hunt, <a href="#Page_165">165</a></li> +<li>Willie Wee, <a href="#Page_189">189</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>You Had Better Mind Master, <a href="#Page_126">126</a></li> +<li>Young Master and Old Master, <a href="#Page_169">169</a></li> +</ul> + +<h3 class="ital">Charms and Superstitions</h3> + +<ul> +<li>Bat! Bat!, <a href="#Page_202">202</a></li> +<li>Black-eyed Peas for Luck, <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Don't Sing before Breakfast, <a href="#Page_186">186</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>How to Make it Rain, <a href="#Page_101">101</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Jaybird, <a href="#Page_14">14</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Molly Cottontail, or Graveyard Rabbit, <a href="#Page_8">8</a></li> +<li>My Speckled Hen, <a href="#Page_170">170</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Periwinkle, <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Speak Softly, <a href="#Page_214">214</a></li> +</ul> + +<h3 class="ital">Hunting Songs</h3> + +<ul> +<li>Fox and Geese, <a href="#Page_40">40</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>He will Get Mr. Coon, <a href="#Page_28">28</a></li> +<li>Hunting Camp, The, <a href="#Page_43">43</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Miss Slippy Sloppy, <a href="#Page_100">100</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Opossum Hunt, An, <a href="#Page_23"> 23</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Rattler, <a href="#Page_46">46</a></li> +</ul> + +<h3 class="ital">Drinking Songs</h3> + +<ul> +<li>Aunt Dinah Drunk, <a href="#Page_53">53</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Bring on your Hot Corn, <a href="#Page_29">29</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Little Red Hen, <a href="#Page_37">37</a></li> +</ul> + +<h3 class="ital">Wise and Gnomic Sayings</h3> + +<ul> +<li>Brag and Boast, <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Don't Tell All You Know, <a href="#Page_214">214</a> +<!-- Page 344 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span></li> +<li>Drinking Razor Soup, <a href="#Page_211">211</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Fed from the Tree of Knowledge, <a href="#Page_212">212</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>How to Plant and Cultivate Seeds, <a href="#Page_208">208</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Independent, <a href="#Page_209">209</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Learn to Count, <a href="#Page_207">207</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Man of Words, A, <a href="#Page_208">208</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Old Man Know-all, <a href="#Page_211">211</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Self-control, <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li>Speak Softly, <a href="#Page_214">214</a></li> +<li>Still Water Runs Deep, <a href="#Page_214">214</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Temperance Rhyme, <a href="#Page_209">209</a></li> +<li>That Hypocrite, <a href="#Page_210">210</a></li> +<li>Tongue, The, <a href="#Page_212">212</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>War is On, The, <a href="#Page_207">207</a></li> +</ul> + +<h3 class="ital">Harvest Songs</h3> + +<ul> +<li>Harvest Song, <a href="#Page_57">57</a></li> +</ul> + +<h3 class="ital">Biblical and Religious Themes</h3> + +<ul> +<li>Ark, The, <a href="#Page_44">44</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>How to Keep or Kill the Devil, <a href="#Page_104">104</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Jawbone, <a href="#Page_12">12</a></li> +<li>Jonah's Band, <a href="#Page_1">1</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Satan, <a href="#Page_93">93</a></li> +</ul> + +<h3 class="ital">Play Songs</h3> + +<ul> +<li>Anchor Line, <a href="#Page_87">87</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Budget, A, <a href="#Page_79">79</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Did You Feed my Cow?, <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> +<li>Down in the Lonesome Garden, <a href="#Page_89">89</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Green Oak Tree! Rocky-o!, <a href="#Page_81">81</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Hawk and Buzzard, <a href="#Page_75">75</a></li> +<li>He Loves Sugar and Tea, <a href="#Page_84">84</a></li> +<li>Here Comes a Young Man Courting, <a href="#Page_85">85</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Kissing Song, <a href="#Page_82">82</a></li> +<li>Kneel on This Carpet, <a href="#Page_82">82</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Likes and Dislikes, <a href="#Page_76">76</a></li> +<li>Little Sister, Won't You Marry Me?, <a href="#Page_90">90</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Old Black Gnats, The, <a href="#Page_80">80</a> +<!-- Page 345 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Peep Squirrel, <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> +<li>Precious Things, <a href="#Page_84">84</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Raise a "Rucus" To-night, <a href="#Page_90">90</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Sallie, <a href="#Page_87">87</a></li> +<li>Salt-rising Bread, <a href="#Page_83">83</a></li> +<li>Song to the Runaway Slave, <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> +<li>Sugar Loaf Tea, <a href="#Page_81">81</a></li> +<li>Susan Jane, <a href="#Page_77">77</a></li> +<li>Susie Girl, <a href="#Page_76">76</a></li> +<li>Sweet Pinks and Roses, <a href="#Page_92">92</a></li> +</ul> + +<h3 class="ital">Miscellaneous</h3> + +<ul> +<li>Antebellum Courtship Inquiry, <a href="#Page_135">135</a></li> +<li>Antebellum Marriage Proposal, <a href="#Page_137">137</a></li> +<li>As I Went to Shiloh, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> +<li>Aunt Jemima, <a href="#Page_107">107</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Bad Features, <a href="#Page_100">100</a></li> +<li>Bedbug, <a href="#Page_96">96</a></li> +<li>Blindfold Play Chant, <a href="#Page_73">73</a></li> +<li>Bought Me a Wife, <a href="#Page_145">145</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Captain Dime, <a href="#Page_5">5</a></li> +<li>Care in Bread-making, <a href="#Page_112">112</a></li> +<li>Caught by the Witch Play, <a href="#Page_74">74</a></li> +<li>Christmas Turkey, <a href="#Page_98">98</a></li> +<li>Clandestine Letter, A, <a href="#Page_136">136</a></li> +<li>Coffee Grows on White Folks' Trees, <a href="#Page_107">107</a></li> +<li>College Ox, The, <a href="#Page_112">112</a></li> +<li>Courtship, <a href="#Page_138">138</a></li> +<li>Crooked Nose Jane, <a href="#Page_99">99</a></li> +<li>Crossing a Foot-Log, <a href="#Page_109">109</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li><ins class="correction" title="original reads: Day's Happenings, A,">Day's Happiness, A,</ins> <a href="#Page_125">125</a></li> +<li>Destitute Former Slave Owners, <a href="#Page_97">97</a></li> +<li>Do I Love You?, <a href="#Page_129">129</a></li> +<li>Does Money Talk?, <a href="#Page_113">113</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Elephant, The, <a href="#Page_116">116</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Fattening Frogs for Snakes, <a href="#Page_97">97</a></li> +<li>Few Negroes by States, A, <a href="#Page_117">117</a> +<!-- Page 346 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span></li> +<li>Fine Plaster, A, <a href="#Page_124">124</a></li> +<li>Fox and Geese Play, <a href="#Page_73">73</a></li> +<li>Fox and Rabbit Drinking Proposition, <a href="#Page_111">111</a></li> +<li>Frightened Away from a Chicken-Roost, <a href="#Page_95">95</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Going to be Good Slaves, <a href="#Page_101">101</a></li> +<li>Good-by, Wife!, <a href="#Page_148">148</a></li> +<li>Goosie-Gander Play Rhyme, <a href="#Page_75">75</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Half Way Doings, <a href="#Page_120">120</a></li> +<li>Hawk and Chickens Play, <a href="#Page_74">74</a></li> +<li>He Paid Me Seven (Parody), <a href="#Page_122">122</a></li> +<li>Hear-say, <a href="#Page_114">114</a></li> +<li>How to Get to Glory Land, <a href="#Page_96">96</a></li> +<li>How to Please a Preacher, <a href="#Page_117">117</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>I Walked the Road, <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> +<li>I'll Eat when I'm Hungry, <a href="#Page_114">114</a></li> +<li>I'll Get You, Rabbit!, <a href="#Page_116">116</a></li> +<li>I'll Wear Me a Cotton Dress, <a href="#Page_118">118</a></li> +<li>I'm a "Round-Town" Gentleman, <a href="#Page_108">108</a></li> +<li>If You Frown, <a href="#Page_137">137</a></li> +<li>Indian Flea, <a href="#Page_12">12</a></li> +<li>Invited to Take the Escort's Arm, <a href="#Page_135">135</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Joe and Malinda Jane, <a href="#Page_4">4</a></li> +<li>John Henry, <a href="#Page_105">105</a></li> +<li>Johnny Bigfoot, <a href="#Page_93">93</a></li> +<li>Juba, <a href="#Page_9">9</a></li> +<li>Jump Jim Crow, <a href="#Page_13">13</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Kept Busy, <a href="#Page_109">109</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Let's Marry Courtship, <a href="#Page_138">138</a></li> +<li>Looking for a Fight, <a href="#Page_118">118</a></li> +<li>Love is Just a Thing of Fancy, <a href="#Page_2">2</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Mule's Kick, The, <a href="#Page_98">98</a></li> +<li>Mule's Nature, The, <a href="#Page_108">108</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Negro Soldier's Civil War Chant, <a href="#Page_115">115</a></li> +<li>Negroes Never Die, <a href="#Page_11">11</a> +<!-- Page 347 --><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span></li> +<li>Newly Weds, The, <a href="#Page_144">144</a></li> +<li>No Room to Poke Fun, <a href="#Page_99">99</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>On Top of the Pot, <a href="#Page_10">10</a></li> +<li>Our Old Mule, <a href="#Page_112">112</a></li> +<li>Outrunning the Devil, <a href="#Page_103">103</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Page's Geese, <a href="#Page_102">102</a></li> +<li>Parody—He Paid Me Seven, <a href="#Page_122">122</a></li> +<li>Parody on "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep", <a href="#Page_115">115</a></li> +<li>Parody on "Reign, Master Jesus! Reign!", <a href="#Page_122">122</a></li> +<li>Presenting a Hat to Phoebe, <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> +<li>Pretty Little Pink, <a href="#Page_127">127</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Rascal, The, <a href="#Page_106">106</a></li> +<li>Request to Sell, A, <a href="#Page_123">123</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Sex Laugh, <a href="#Page_102">102</a></li> +<li>Short Letter, A, <a href="#Page_113">113</a></li> +<li>Slave Marriage Ceremony Supplement, <a href="#Page_143">143</a></li> +<li>Sparking or Courting, <a href="#Page_136">136</a></li> +<li>Stand Back, Black Man, <a href="#Page_10">10</a></li> +<li>Still Water Creek, <a href="#Page_2">2</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>"They Steal" Gossip, <a href="#Page_110">110</a></li> +<li>This Sun is Hot, <a href="#Page_108">108</a></li> +<li>Thrifty Slave, The, <a href="#Page_94">94</a></li> +<li>To Win a Yellow Girl, <a href="#Page_102">102</a></li> +<li>Turkey Funeral, <a href="#Page_111">111</a></li> +<li>T-U-Turkey, <a href="#Page_6">6</a></li> +<li>Two Times One, <a href="#Page_121">121</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Uncle Jerry Fants, <a href="#Page_109">109</a></li> +</ul> + +<ul> +<li>Walk, Talk, Chicken With your Head Pecked, <a href="#Page_4">4</a></li> +<li>We'll Stick to the Hoe, <a href="#Page_123">123</a></li> +<li>When I Go to Marry, <a href="#Page_144">144</a></li> +<li>When I Was a Roustabout, <a href="#Page_145">145</a></li> +<li>Why Look at Me?, <a href="#Page_113">113</a></li> +<li>Wild Negro Bill, <a href="#Page_94">94</a></li> +<li>Wind Bag, A, <a href="#Page_101">101</a></li> +</ul> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Negro Folk Rhymes, by Thomas W. Talley + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NEGRO FOLK RHYMES *** + +***** This file should be named 27195-h.htm or 27195-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/7/1/9/27195/ + +Produced by Audrey Longhurst, S.D. and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/27195-h/images/alabama.png b/27195-h/images/alabama.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..61f5cb3 --- /dev/null +++ b/27195-h/images/alabama.png diff --git a/27195-h/images/bigquills.png b/27195-h/images/bigquills.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..65b08d5 --- /dev/null +++ b/27195-h/images/bigquills.png diff --git a/27195-h/images/blacksheep.png b/27195-h/images/blacksheep.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..16a8c96 --- /dev/null +++ b/27195-h/images/blacksheep.png diff --git a/27195-h/images/fig1quills.png b/27195-h/images/fig1quills.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6ffde07 --- /dev/null +++ b/27195-h/images/fig1quills.png diff --git a/27195-h/images/frog.png b/27195-h/images/frog.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6287342 --- /dev/null +++ b/27195-h/images/frog.png diff --git a/27195-h/images/hailstorm.png b/27195-h/images/hailstorm.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1f1db8d --- /dev/null +++ b/27195-h/images/hailstorm.png diff --git a/27195-h/images/hollydink.png b/27195-h/images/hollydink.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8478c83 --- /dev/null +++ b/27195-h/images/hollydink.png diff --git a/27195-h/images/jaybird.png b/27195-h/images/jaybird.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3dfc2e9 --- /dev/null +++ b/27195-h/images/jaybird.png diff --git a/27195-h/images/jonah.png b/27195-h/images/jonah.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4ab1803 --- /dev/null +++ b/27195-h/images/jonah.png diff --git a/27195-h/images/littlequills.png b/27195-h/images/littlequills.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c151793 --- /dev/null +++ b/27195-h/images/littlequills.png diff --git a/27195-h/images/opossum.png b/27195-h/images/opossum.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..dd6cc53 --- /dev/null +++ b/27195-h/images/opossum.png diff --git a/27195-h/images/prntmk1.png b/27195-h/images/prntmk1.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2bbc048 --- /dev/null +++ b/27195-h/images/prntmk1.png diff --git a/27195-h/images/tenn1.png b/27195-h/images/tenn1.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..299a7f0 --- /dev/null +++ b/27195-h/images/tenn1.png diff --git a/27195-h/images/tenn2.png b/27195-h/images/tenn2.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..030be07 --- /dev/null +++ b/27195-h/images/tenn2.png diff --git a/27195-h/images/tenn3.png b/27195-h/images/tenn3.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7210241 --- /dev/null +++ b/27195-h/images/tenn3.png diff --git a/27195-h/images/tenn4.png b/27195-h/images/tenn4.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c200809 --- /dev/null +++ b/27195-h/images/tenn4.png diff --git a/27195-h/images/tpquills.png b/27195-h/images/tpquills.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d8f24b7 --- /dev/null +++ b/27195-h/images/tpquills.png diff --git a/27195-h/music/029-jaybird.midi b/27195-h/music/029-jaybird.midi Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..01bec5f --- /dev/null +++ b/27195-h/music/029-jaybird.midi diff --git a/27195-h/music/038-opossum.midi b/27195-h/music/038-opossum.midi Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..deacd42 --- /dev/null +++ b/27195-h/music/038-opossum.midi diff --git a/27195-h/music/042-blacksheep.midi b/27195-h/music/042-blacksheep.midi Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b13f07d --- /dev/null +++ b/27195-h/music/042-blacksheep.midi diff --git a/27195-h/music/205-frog.midi b/27195-h/music/205-frog.midi Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6867106 --- /dev/null +++ b/27195-h/music/205-frog.midi diff --git a/27195-h/music/276-jonah.midi b/27195-h/music/276-jonah.midi Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b03da34 --- /dev/null +++ b/27195-h/music/276-jonah.midi diff --git a/27195-h/music/284a-hollydink.midi b/27195-h/music/284a-hollydink.midi Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..18a30cf --- /dev/null +++ b/27195-h/music/284a-hollydink.midi diff --git a/27195-h/music/284b-hailstorm.midi b/27195-h/music/284b-hailstorm.midi Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1220d2a --- /dev/null +++ b/27195-h/music/284b-hailstorm.midi diff --git a/27195-h/music/294a-alabama.midi b/27195-h/music/294a-alabama.midi Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..55c09b2 --- /dev/null +++ b/27195-h/music/294a-alabama.midi diff --git a/27195-h/music/294b-tenn1.midi b/27195-h/music/294b-tenn1.midi Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2bbcdc3 --- /dev/null +++ b/27195-h/music/294b-tenn1.midi diff --git a/27195-h/music/295a-tenn2.midi b/27195-h/music/295a-tenn2.midi Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4cad1e3 --- /dev/null +++ b/27195-h/music/295a-tenn2.midi diff --git a/27195-h/music/295b-tenn3.midi b/27195-h/music/295b-tenn3.midi Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..756ff2b --- /dev/null +++ b/27195-h/music/295b-tenn3.midi diff --git a/27195-h/music/295c-tenn4.midi b/27195-h/music/295c-tenn4.midi Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5d254f8 --- /dev/null +++ b/27195-h/music/295c-tenn4.midi diff --git a/27195-h/music/321a-littlequills.midi b/27195-h/music/321a-littlequills.midi Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..85a53db --- /dev/null +++ b/27195-h/music/321a-littlequills.midi diff --git a/27195-h/music/321b-322-bigquills.midi b/27195-h/music/321b-322-bigquills.midi Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1ca91c0 --- /dev/null +++ b/27195-h/music/321b-322-bigquills.midi |
