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diff --git a/old/66997-0.txt b/old/66997-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index d7f5350..0000000 --- a/old/66997-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3420 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Plantation Echoes, by Elliott Blaine -Henderson - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Plantation Echoes - A Collection of Original Negro Dialect Poems - -Author: Elliott Blaine Henderson - -Release Date: December 22, 2021 [eBook #66997] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: Charlene Taylor and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team - at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images - generously made available by The Internet Archive/American - Libraries.) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PLANTATION ECHOES *** -Transcriber’s Note: Henderson’s writing captures African American -dialect of his time, but the poems contain slang words and racial -stereotypes that the modern reader is likely to find offensive. - - - - - - Plantation Echoes - - A COLLECTION _of_ ORIGINAL - NEGRO DIALECT POEMS - - _By_ - ELLIOTT BLAINE HENDERSON - - [Illustration] - - COLUMBUS, OHIO - PRESS OF F. J. HEER - 1904 - - Entered According to Act of Congress - in the year 1904 - - BY E. B. HENDERSON - - In the office of the Librarian of Congress - at Washington. - - - - -Dedication - - - THIS BOOK IS RESPECTFULLY - DEDICATED TO - - MESSERS. - - HOWARD BURBA - L. WALTER HARRISON - PROF. L. M. LAYTON - T. J. McCORMICK - OSMAN C. HOOPER - - Literary Editor of the Columbus Dispatch, - Columbus, Ohio. - - - - -INTRODUCTION - - -The music of the American negro, the fresh and spontaneous expression -of a good and care-free heart, has long been one of the most pleasing -features of American life. It is human nature in its first vocal -garb—original and unique, often humorous and always true to the -sentiment of the singer. If there ever was an illustration of the close -relationship between language and thought, it is this. - -What is true of the melodies of the negro as developed in the simple -existence on the plantation is also true of that other form of singing, -verse-making. Among the negroes there have sprung up a number of -exponents of the wisdom, wit and humor of the race. They have caught the -spirit of others—the humble philosophers of their kind—and they have -employed the dialect to reproduce the thought in all its quaintness and -originality. One of the most notable of these exponents or interpreters -is an Ohio negro, Paul Lawrence Dunbar, who has taken high rank among -the poets of the day. Another is Elliott Blaine Henderson, also a son of -Ohio, whose first volume of verse is herewith presented. - -In much that Mr. Henderson here presents, there is the rush of expression -and the jingle of words that are so characteristic of the negro. There is -also humor and there is sentiment, and always that other quality which -makes verse in these days readable—good cheer. - -He who correctly interprets the spirit of his race serves a good cause, -and it is believed that Mr. Henderson will be found to have succeeded in -his undertaking to make his people better and more widely understood. - - E. G. BURKHAM, - _Editor of the Columbus Dispatch, Columbus, Ohio_. - - - - -CONTENTS - - - When the Moon Hangs Low 9 - - Seems Dey’s No Place 10 - - Good Bye, Honey, Good Bye 12 - - Whut We Gwine To Do 14 - - Kaze I kno’ I Kain’t Stop 16 - - Dahky Whut Yo’ Doin? 18 - - When De Fiah Am Kindlin’ Hot 20 - - Lammentation 22 - - When De Summah’s Dun Cum 23 - - The Coon’s Serenade 24 - - Blissful Anticipations 25 - - Pawson Johnson At Dinner 27 - - Go ’Way, Mah Honey 28 - - Brer Possum Declines 30 - - I Hain’t Foolin’ Honey 31 - - Sleep— 33 - - A Profuse Encomium 34 - - Peepin’ Th’ew De Husk 35 - - Axin’ Coon Cum Obeah 38 - - Hustle— 38 - - Go Sleep 40 - - Kase De Sun Am Sinkin’ 41 - - Soft Falls The Night 43 - - Git On Board, Chillun 44 - - Uncle Ned An’ De Mockin’ Bird 46 - - Po’ Li’l’ Rastus 48 - - Sambo’s Rain Philosophy 50 - - Jes’ Keep Er Lookin’ Up 51 - - Wished I’d Rode Mah Hoss 53 - - Eggs! Eggs!! Eggs!!! 54 - - It Am De Possum Time 55 - - Stick To Your Race 57 - - Memorial Day 58 - - Trussy’s Visit 60 - - Is Yo’ Lonesum, Honey? 64 - - Larn To He’p Yo’se’f 64 - - Courtin’ O’ De Phone 66 - - Lonesum Valley Christmas Tree 68 - - Yes, Wees Got Er Flag 72 - - Hi, Mistah Dahky 75 - - Dey’s Er Col’ Wave Breshin’ Nigh 77 - - Force Of Words 79 - - I Tol’ Yo’ So 80 - - The Passing Of Night 82 - - A Tale O’ Woe 83 - - Lullaby 84 - - The Exstacy of Uncle Joe 85 - - Keep Er Goin’ 87 - - Climin’ Up De Hill 88 - - Sistah Ruffle 90 - - The Gallant Blacks of San Juan Hill 93 - - - - -WHEN THE MOON HANGS LOW. - - - A straying chicken - Lost from home - Bewildered, finds - Itself a-roam. - And innocently - Stalks the ground, - Not dreaming - That a coon’s around. - - As evening’s shadows - Gently fall, - The chicken, lonesome, - Gives a call. - A coon steals out - Soft in the night, - To catch him - For his appetite. - - The night is still! - The moon is low! - Not e’en a zephyr - Seems to blow. - The coon with sack - Clutched in his hand, - Moves silently - Across the land. - - The chicken gives - Another squawk! - The coon has got her - Like a hawk. - The moon now breaks - Forth into light, - The coon and chicken’s - Out of sight. - - - - -SEEMS DEY’S NO PLACE. - - - Well er coon kin go to kollege - Git his head chucked full o’ knowledge, - Till he knows ez much ez Solomon de wise. - He kin study an’ summize, - Count de stars up in de skies, - Seems dey’s no place - Fo’ de eddeekayted coon. - - Tawk erbout yo’ eddeekayshun - Gittin’ in de cullahd nayshun, - Gittin’ “lighten” in de head an’ sich ez dat, - Yo’ kin larn sah, till yo’ hat - On yo’ head woan’ fit exzac’, - Seems dey’s no place - Fo’ de eddeekayted coon. - - Eddeekayshun am all right - Ef er coon kin git er sight - ’Stead o’ makin’ bread an’ buttah by de hoe, - He kood entah any do’ - Whah he’s qualified to go. - Seems dey’s no place - Fo’ de eddeekayted coon. - - He doan’ allus want to hoe, - He wood like er little sho, - Fo’ to git er little sweetness out o’ life; - He has had er worl’ o’ strife, - Allus struck by trouble’s knife. - Seems dey’s no place - Fo’ de eddeekayted coon. - - All de coons kin cut dey pranks - Fo’ to git into de banks, - Wid de white fo’ks fo’ to handle wid dey cash - Dat wood sorter spile de hash, - Make er fraycus an’ er clash. - Seems dey’s no place - Fo’ de eddeekayted coon. - - All de coons kin go to Yale, - Larn Greek, Latin, by de bale, - Larn to numbah all de hyahs up in dey head; - Dey may read dis thing wid dread, - Nufin’ else kin dey be said. - Seems dey’s no place - Fo’ de eddeekayted coon. - - Ez I saunter ’roun’ de town, - An’ I skim mah eyes eroun’, - Whah de white fo’ks am in business ebbry where, - Yo’ kain’t find er coon in dare - Wid de white fo’ks sellin’ ware. - Seems dey’s no place - Fo’ de eddeekayted coon. - - - - -GOOD BYE, HONEY—GOOD BYE. - - - Gwine to leeb dis dear ol’ place, - Good bye, honey; good bye! - Time’s er flyin’, I mus’ make has’e, - Good bye, honey; good bye! - Hate to go, but I kain’t say no, - It gives mah hea’t er pang o’ woe, - Yo’ all’s mah fren’, not one’s mah foe, - Good bye, honey; good bye! - - Sistah Jane, an’ uncle Joe? - Good bye, honey; good bye! - I hope we’ll see us all sum mo’, - Good bye, honey; good bye! - We’s gittin’ ol’, we’s gittin’ gray, - Ah days am dun’ fo’ makin’ hay, - Ah steps cum slo’ we’s wastin’ ’way, - Good bye, honey; good bye! - - We’s had good times on dis ol’ place, - Good bye, honey; good bye! - We’s frollic’d in de possum chase, - Good bye, honey; good bye! - We’s picked de cotton, hoed de co’n, - We’s picked de berries spite o’ thorns, - We’s wocked at night, we’s wocked at morn, - Good bye, honey; good bye! - - Hain’t dat Miss Linndy, obeah dah? - Good bye, honey; good bye! - Sho’ it am; well, I declah! - Good bye, honey; good bye! - Cum an’ shake de ol’ man’s han’, - Gwine to leeb ol’ massa’s lan’ - ’Deed, Miss Linndy, yo’ look gran’, - Good bye, honey; good bye! - - Rastus? little Rastus, chile, - Good bye, honey; good bye! - Look ee dah, jes’ see him smile, - Good bye, honey; good bye! - Jes’ ez natshul ez his paw, - De bes’ chile dat I ebbah saw, - Got de mannahs ub his maw, - Good bye, honey; good bye! - - Whah is Massa, is he ’roun’? - Good bye, honey; good bye! - ’Pears’ I koch his footstep soun’, - Good bye, honey; good bye! - I ’fess it’s hard to leeb him now, - To say good bye, I doan’ kno’ how, - I’ll shake his han’, jes’ make er bow, - Good bye, honey; good bye! - - Mockin’ bird up in de tree? - Good bye, honey; good bye! - Yo’s sung er manny day to me. - Good bye, honey; good bye! - Er manny day dis hea’t o’ mine - Yo’s cheered it wid yo’ song divine, - An’ made de sunlight brighter shine, - Good bye, honey; good bye! - - - - -WHAT WE GWINE TO DO? - - - Well, de way de thing am lookin’ - To ol’ Hezzeekyah Yoon, - Dis kentry’s gittin’ wussah - Fo’ de po’ and he’pless coon. - - Dey lynch him on de lef’, - An’ dey lynch him on de right, - Dey cum an’ git er niggah - In de day an’ in de night. - - Whut we gwine to do? - Hain’t dey no whah in de lan’? - Hain’t dey fo’ de niggah - Not er kin’ an’ he’pin’ han’? - - Oh de niggah’s got er moighty - Tuff an’ thorny road to tread— - Dey’s bullets, clubs an’ razzahs - Allus flyin’ at his head. - It’s er mer’kul all de niggahs - Haben’ suffer’d dat same fate. - De string up to de lamp-pos’ - An’ de string up to de gate. - When de signul’s gibbun - Fo’ to rally ’roun’ de flag, - Nebbah fo’ er minute - Am er niggah seed to lagg. - - De niggah hain’t rebelyus - Though he doan’ git all things jus’; - He’s loyal to his kentry, - Nebbah habs betrayed his trus’. - He allus takes de bitters - ’Zactly lak he does de sweet, - He goes right on light hea’ted, - Wid er tew step to his feet. - - Whut we gwine to do? - Hain’t dey no whah in de lan’? - Hain’t dey fo’ de niggah - Not er kin’ an’ he’pin’ han’? - - - - -KAZE I KNO’ I KAIN’T STOP. - - - Summah breezes blowin’, - An’ de sun am roas’in’ hot! - Jes’ right am de meadows - Fo’ to take ’em fo’ er cot! - Grasses sof’ an’ downy, - Am jes’ like er feddah bed! - Hain’t er spot dat am mo’ ’vitin’ - Fo’ er niggah lay his head! - - Ah tell yo’ whut’s de mattah, - Sah, de feebah’s mountain high. - When ah ’fleck ub ah kun’dishyun - Makes dis niggah sot an’ cry. - To hyeah de fo’ks er tawkin’ - How de niggah’s got to fare, - Dey mob, dey burn an’ lynch him, - An’ dey skin him lak er hare. - - It’s true dey’s lots er niggahs - Dat am wurfluss to de co’, - De debbul wooden’ hab ’em - Even inside ub his do’. - But de Lawd in heaven knows - Dat all de niggahs hain’t dat way, - Dey’s lots dat’s good an’ hones’ - An’ dey nebbah goes estray. - - De niggah hain’t to blame— - To cum hyeah he diden’ kyeah. - De white fo’ks, why dey made him, - Why dey fotch’d him obeah hyeah. - An’ now to knock his head off - Kaze he’s tryin’ to git erlong, - Accawdin’ to my Bible, - Why de whole thing ub it’s wrong. - - De niggah loves dis kentry— - Ebbry time he’ll put up fight. - Fo’ it wheddah it am - In de wrong ah in de right. - - But er niggah, kain’t stop! - Mus’ keep hoein’ at de crop! - Out de weeds mus’ keep er pullin’ - Till he’s ready, mos’ to drop! - - White man take it easy, - Am er livin’ lak er king! - Free ez am de buzzahd, - Doesn’t hab to do er thing! - Niggah’d lak to togg up - In his Sunday meetin’ dress, - An’ jes’ lak de white man, - Sot, an’ lay back, take his res’. - - But er niggah, kain’t stop! - Mus’ keep hoein’ at de crop! - Out de weeds mus’ keep er pullin’ - Till he’s ready, mos’ to drop! - - Sumtimes git to ’fleckin’ - Scratch dis head whah it doan’ itch! - Axin’ why de Lawd, sah, - Diden’ make dis niggah rich! - But dey hain’t no use to kick, - But jes’ keep er josslin’ ’long. - Now an’ den I keeps er whis’lin’ - An’ er hummin’ at mah song. - - Kaze I kno’ I kain’t stop! - Mus’ keep hoein’ out de crop! - Out de weeds mus’ keep er pullin’ - Till Ise’s ready, mos’ to drop! - - Now an’ den I sortah - Git er ticklin’ in mah heel! - Fo’ to go to dancin’ - At de ol’ Verginny reel! - Soople ez a skeedah! - Dance de jig fum night till morn, - Nebbah stop er minute, bruddah, - Fo’ an’ ache er fo’ er co’n! - - But er niggah, kain’t stop! - Mus’ keep hoein’ at de crop! - Out de weeds mus’ keep er pullin’ - Till he’s ready, mos’ to drop! - - - - -DAHKY, WHUT YO’ DUN? - - - Oh, but how er dollah - Is er moighty fren’, - In de dead o’ wintah, - Ef yo’ idle den. - Winds dey may be howlin’, - Whizzin’ th’ew de trees! - Needen’ worry, dahky, - Yo’ hain’ gwine to freez! - - Summah is er flyin’, - Breezes gittin’ cool! - Beddah be er layin’ - In yo’ wintah fuel! - Leaves begin to fallin’, - Harvestin’ is dun, - Birds am now er troopin’ - Soufward wid de sun. - - Hoein’ time is obeah, - Dahky take yo’ res’! - Th’ow off wockin’ hahness, - Don yo’ Sunday bes’! - Fiddles an’ de banjos— - Git ’em all in tune, - ’Nipulate de ditties - Gibbs de soul er boon! - - In de spring an’ summah, - Dahky whut yo’ dun? - Ridin’ on de skershuns, - Habin’ lots o’ fun? - Dancin’ wid de ladies, - Spen’in’ all yo’ got? - Thinkin’ kaze it’s summah, - ’Twill be allus hot? - - Yo’ de kine cum - Knockin’ on de cabin do’, - Fo’ to get er sistance, - Tell ’er tale o’ wo’. - Den’s de time to sho’ yo’ - We’s no easy thing, - ’Videin’ fo’ yo’ stummucks - Wid ah hoe earnin’. - - Whut yo’ needs er lesson - In de ’speerence school. - Git de realizayshun - Whah yo’ bin er fool. - Den yo’ll git de idea, - Dollah is yo’ fren’, - Larn to be mo’ kyahful - How yo’ money spen’. - - - - -WHEN DE FIAH AM KINDLIN’ HOT. - - - When de sno’ it am er fallin,’ - Winds er whizzin’ down de lanes, - An’ de fros’ it am er freezin’ - Fo’ yo’ eyes erpun de panes, - Whut am beddah den er neslin’ - ’Roun’ er fiah dat’s roas’in’ hot? - Fo’ er pickahninny dahky - Hain’t er mo’ enchantin’ spot. - - When de breezes am er moanin’ - An’ de sun am sinkin’ lo’, - An’ de gloomy clouds an’ shaddahs - Geddah ’roun’ erbout yo’ do’; - When yo’ hyeah de co’n er poppin’, - See de cidah all er foam, - In yo’ soul de joy an’ gladness - Seems eroun’ erbout to roam. - - An’ yo’ granny am er hummin’, - Cat er purrin’ on de rug, - An’ yo’ git er sniff de burbun - Dat am steamin’ fum de jug— - Umph! de berry ’maggahnayshun - Makes er puson think it’s real. - It am glory! Hesh yo’ mouf, sah, - Doan’ yo’ ax me how yo’ feel. - - All yo’ troubles an’ yo’ burdens - Seems to take de swif’es flight! - ’Pears yo’ berry soul am lif’ed - To de blissful mountain heights! - Whah de lan’s erflo’ wid honey, - Streets an’ alleys paved wid gol’, - An’ de simphonnies o’ heaben’s - Got er sweetnes’ kaint be tol’. - - Yo’ kin sing de song o’ Moses, - Shout yo’se’f clah to de sky! - Pickahninny’s den in cloveah, - No time den to weep an’ sigh. - Let de sno’ keep on er fallin’, - Let de breezes whizz an’ moan, - Longs er pickahninny’s neslin’ - ’Roun’ er hot fiah ub his own. - - - - -LAMENTATION. - - - When de rent cums due - An’ yo’ haben got er dollah, - An’ yo’ hab to hunt - Fo’ er nuddah place to wollah, - De wintah’s dun cum, - An’ de coal pile’s sinkin’, - Dey’s nufin’ in de cupboard - An’ yo’ stummuck am er tinkin’, - - How yo’ head wool geddahs! - How yo’ hunt an’ scratch! - Fo’ to skibbah up er dollah - Beats de ol’ Sam Patch! - - When yo’ sot an’ ’fleck, - Seems befo’ yo’ keeps er bobbin’ - De possum an’ de coon, - An’ de peach an’ apple cobblin’. - Yo’ dream bout summah, - Wid de joocy wattah millun, - Dat yo’ sotin’ in de middle - An’ yo’ stummuck jes’ er fillin’, - - How yo’ mouf does wattah! - How yo’ stummuck jes’ jump! - An’ yo’ eyes am all er twinkle - An’ yo’ hump! hump! hump! - - When de night cums on - An’ dey hain’t er nuf de kibbah, - While yo’ bunk an’ snooz - Fo’ to keep yo’ fum de shibbah, - De coal’s dun sinkin’ - Till it am no mo’, - De weddah am at zero, - De worl am kibbahd in de sno’, - - How yo’ head wool geddahs! - How yo’ hunt an’ scratch - Fo’ to skibbah up er dollah - Beats de ol’ Sam Patch! - - - - -WHEN DE SUMMAH’S DUN CUM. - - - When de wintah’s dun gone - An’ de summah’s dun cum, - An’ de birds begin dey wahble - An’ de bees begin dey hum, - An’ de hills, de fields, de meadows - Wid de verdure all am green, - An’ de heaben’s panorama - Am er mos’ enchantin’ scene, - - Den er niggah kin sing! - Den er niggah kin hum! - Kaze de wintah’s dun gone, - An’ de summah’s dun cum! - - When de vines am climin’, - Spreadin’ beauty on de run, - An’ de cullahs o’ de lan’scape - An’ de sky dey blen’ ez one, - An’ de flowahs ez dey’s buddin’ - An’ er blossom’ an’ er bloom, - An’ de breezes fan dey petals - Koch dey sweetes’ smellin’ ’fume, - - How yo’ soul inspahs! - How yo’ hea’t does tickle! - Den er niggah am happy - Ef he haben’ got er nickel! - - When de craps am wavin’ - An’ de tassel’s on de co’n, - An’ de apples am er drapin’ - An’ de sweepahtayters born, - An’ de cabbage am er headin’, - Swellin’ lak dey got de mumps, - An’ de passnups am er peepin’ - Winkin’ at yo’ hine de stumps, - - How er niggah kin whis’le! - How his soul does ’joice! - ’Kaze it’s time fo’ de millun - An’ it’s time fo’ de squash! - - - - -THE COON’S SERENADE. - - - In de lonesum ub de night - When de moon’s er shinin’ bright, - Coon er sotin’ on er stump - Picks de banjo, plinkertee plump! - Sof’ly floats de mournful ’frain - ’Cross de dewy, grassy main— - Plinktee! plinktee! plinkertee plump! - Picks de coon erpun de stump! - - Ebbry win’ an’ ebbry breeze, - Ebbry twig erpun de trees, - Echoes wid de plinkertee plump! - Ub de coon erpun de stump! - Plinktee! plinktee! plinkertee plump! - Picks de coon erpun de stump! - - Ez de night glides slo’ly on, - An’ de moon slips down fo’ dawn, - An’ de veil draps fum de skies, - An’ de worl’ opens its eyes, - Dies erway de plinkertee plump! - Ub de coon erpun de stump! - Plinktee! plinktee! plinkertee plump! - Stops de coon erpun de stump - - - - -BLISSFUL ANTICIPATIONS. - - - Jes’ gimme summah all de time, - An’ lemme take it easy. - Jes’ lay back in de cloveah beds - An’ dream whah it am breezy. - I doan kyeah fo’ no robe ner crown - Ez long ez I kin wollah ’roun’ - An’ nebbah hab to hoe de grown’. - Ha! ha! yo’ thinks Ise lazy! - I’d spawk an’ court Miss Lissy Jane— - Umph! but I’d cut er spluttah! - I’d tell her dis, I’d tell her dat, - Fus’ one thing den er nuddah. - We’d ramble whah de wild flow’rs bloom - Dat fill de air wid sweet scent ’fume - Whah dey’s no clouds an’ dey’s no gloom! - We’d sot de worl’ to fiuttah! - - I’d git mah banjo fum de wall - An’ now an’ den go plinkin’! - I’d make de dahky’s heels jes’ itch - To dance ez fas’ es winkin’! - I’d make her sing, I’d make her moan, - I’d sen’ er tone to Gabriel’s throne, - I’d play dem tricks befo’ unknown, - I’d sot de fo’ks to thinkin’! - - I kno’ yo’ thinks dis dahky slo’ - An’ tawkin’ jes’ fo’ blowin’! - An’ buildin’ castles in de air, - An’ debbilment er sowin’. - It’s jes, prezaxly lak I say, - Jes’ shows Ise ol’ an’ shows Ise gray. - Befo’ de Lawd! it’s almos’ day! - To bed! de chicken’s crowin’! - - - - -PAWSON JOHNSON AT DINNER. - - - He’p you’se’f, mah bruddah, - Jes’ make yo’se’f at home! - ’Kaze yo’ am no stranger - To Siss Wiggle Sloam. - Go ’head on dat chicken, - ’Kase it tissen skace! - “Doan’ yo’ worry, sistah, - I is in no has’e! - - “Lan’ sakes, Sistah Wiggle, - You’ treat me lak er king! - Ha! ha! ’skooze me, sistah, - One mo’ chicken wing! - Tote me few dem waffles, - Chittlins good an’ hot! - Ebbah thing ise eatin’ - Trabbles to de spot! - - Lawd Gawd! Sistah Wiggle, - I jes’ seed dat possum! - Hiden’ an’ er grinin’ - ’Hine dat sunflow’r blossom! - ’Fo’ I’d let dat possum - Git out o’ mah sight, - Th’ow erside mah Gospel, - To de las’ I’d fight! - - Bruddah, kain’t yo’ sortah - Gibb er little toas’? - ’Deed I kain’t, Gawd knows it, - Whah dey’s possum roas’! - Feed de lambs, mah Sistah, - Whut de good book say! - Yo’s fulfillin’ Scripshah - Treatin’ me dis way!” - - - - -GO ’WAY, MAH HONEY. - - - Gitin’ sortah ’ristercratic - Go ’way, mah honey! - Sistah Jane, de ol’ roommatic! - Go ’way, mah honey! - Th’ow’d erway her dress o’ mattin’! - Wearin’ silk an’ wearin’ satin’! - Right in style, de lates’ patte’n! - Go ’way, mah honey! - - Wearin’ hoops, an’ got er bustle! - Go ’way, mah honey! - When she passed, Lawd, how dey rustle! - Go ’way, mah honey! - Umph! she stepped lak Queen o’ Sheeba. - Clah out dressed ol’ Sistah Feeba, - Hel’ her trail lak dat Miss Neeba! - Go ’way, mah honey! - - High heel shoes, she’s wearin’, too! - Go ’way, mah honey! - Look to me dey’s numbah two! - Go ’way, mah honey! - Paten’ leddah wid er buckle! - Hot stuff, reglah honey suckle! - When she pass’d, oh how fo’ks chuckle! - Go ’way, mah honey! - - Doan’ yo’ kno’ she had on powdah! - Go ’way, mah honey! - White fo’ks kooden’ looked mo’ loudah! - Go ’way, mah honey! - Had her hyah smoothed down wid tallow! - Bangs in front was short and shallow! - Gibb her face er p’culiar pallow! - Go ’way, mah honey! - - Umph! she tried to tawk so proppah! - Go ’way, mah honey! - Spoke dem wurds dat was er whoppah! - Go ’way, mah honey! - See her primp her mouf and tickle! - Made her look so pow’ful fickle! - Bet she diden’ hab er nickel! - Go ’way, mah honey! - - Scan’lous ’bout sum cullahd people! - Go ’way, mah honey! - Mattahs not how ol’ an’ feeble! - Go ’way, mah honey! - Git on sum new bibb an’ tuckah! - Dey’ll out step sah! ol’ Dan Tuckah! - Doan’ kyah ef dey’s er co’n shuckah! - Go ’way, mah honey! - - - - -BRER POSSUM DECLINES. - - - Way in de tree - Sots ol’ Bruddah Possum! - Hey, dah; I see yo’ - Bruddah Possum, hine de blossom! - Yo’ needn’ ac’ so timid, - Ner yo’ needen’ ac’ so shy, - Dey’s beddah, closeah frenship - Fo’ er possum, closeah nigh! - - Hey, dah, Bruddah Possum, - Yo’ ac’in’ moighty ’trary; - Saunter down er minute! - Now, yo’ needen’ hab no worry, - Ner pusnul tooberayshuns. - An’ de sich, de lak er dat! - Cum down, yo’ needen’ boddah - What de bawkin’ dogs er at! - - Look hyeah, Bruddah Possum, - Bleeb yo’ feelin’ kine o’ skeery! - Gittin’ tiad er coaxin’, - Makes me feel er little dreary! - Doan’ lak so much beggin’, - Ner I doan’ lak so much pleadin’, - ’Speshly to mah mine, - When dey’s not er bit o’ needin’. - - Hey, dah, Bruddah Possum, - Yo’ jes’ lak ol’ Bruddah Satan! - Think de odds er gin yo’, - An’ yo’ keep er fellah waitin’. - Well, it doesn’t mattah, - Ef yo’ ’sist on me er climein’, - Hol’ yo’ bref er minute! - ’Kase hyeah cums up - Bruddah Highmen! - - - - -I HAIN’T FOOLIN’ HONEY. - - - Seed yo’ wid yo’ gal las’ night! - I hain’t foolin’, honey! - Had yo’ arms eroun’ her tight! - I hain’t foolin’, honey! - Umph! whut made yo’ squeeze her so? - Jes’ bekaze yo’ am her beau? - I’d bin her I’d let yo’ go! - I hain’t foolin’, honey! - - Seed yo’ try to steal er kiss! - I hain’t foolin’, honey! - An’ she slapp’d yo’ wid her fis’! - I hain’t foolin’, honey! - Po’ gal kooden’ hardly speak! - Shocked to def wid all yo’ cheek! - Go way, Gumbo, yo’s er sneak! - I hain’t foolin’, honey! - - Yallah, too, hain’t she Gumbo? - I hain’t foolin’, honey! - Reason dat yo’ love her so! - I hain’t foolin’, honey! - Ef she had de wooly hyah, - Face ez black ez ol’ pine tah! - Court her? bet yo’ wooden’, dah! - I hain’t foolin’, honey! - - Gwine to marry her, Gumbo? - Stop yo’ foolin’, honey! - What dat? say yo’ doesn’t kno’? - Stop yo’ foolin’, honey! - Ax’d her fo’ her hea’t an’ han’? - Bet yo’ habben’ got de san’! - ’Fess up, Gumbo, umph! mah lan’! - I hain’t foolin’, honey! - - Bet she hain’t stuck on yo’ ’tall! - I hain’t foolin’, honey! - Does she kiss yo’ when yo’ call? - Stop yo’ foolin’, honey! - Lan’ sakes, Gumbo, yo’ woan’ do! - Go ’way; no, I woan’ kiss yo’! - Git yo’ big foots off mah shoe! - I hain’t foolin’, honey! - - I doan’ kiss no rusty coon! - I hain’t foolin’, honey! - Who, yo’ be mah chaperoon? - Hain’t you foolin’, honey? - Pick mah comp’ny, whut I do! - Lawd sakes, knows I doan’ want yo’! - Good day, home Ise long go due! - I hain’t foolin’, honey! - - - - -SLEEP. - - - Sleep! - Cums de solemn night, - An’ de day’s tuck flight! - Not er bird ner coon - Am er whis-lin’ choon. - Sleep! - - Sleep! - Slo’ de hours slip ’long - To de brooklet’s song, - In de sof deep hush - Cums de star’s sweet blush. - Sleep! - - Sleep! - In er lonesum tone - Ez he creep erlone, - Cums de cricket call - Fum de vine clad wall. - Sleep! - - Sleep! - Up de hillside steep - Now de moon take creep! - Th’ew de cab’n loft, gleam - On er coon in dream. - Sleep! - - - - -A PROFUSE ENCOMIUM. - - - Lookin’ nice to-night, Miss Liza, - Yo’s out dressed ’em all to-night. - Wid dat ah so frusterkaytun - Yo’ so dazzlin’ in de light! - Please doan’ ’strew mah wurds fo flattah - Spoken incandessenly, - But! wid mutuallistic frankness - ’Cep ’em fabbrykayshenly. - - “Thank you, Mistah Johnsin’, - Do yo’ think I look so fine? - ’Deed sah, Mistah Johnsin’, - Yo’ so asterroshus kine. - Woan’ yo’ sot beside me - An’ conversykate er while, - Please doan’ hab no skooples - Kaze Ize togged up in dis style.” - - “Yo’s suppassed yo’se’f, Miss Liza, - Quiv-vah-kay-shah-ently gran’, - An’ yo’ grace dis runkshus ’kayshun - Lak one fum de glory lan’. - Ef yo’ hab no interjeckshuns - Kaze sech ’joicin’ frollerkayshun - Gibbs fellerisher-tish-shus glee.” - - “’Skyoose me, Mistah Johnsin’, - I doan’ kyah to mingel late, - I wood raddah be specktay-shus - Sotin’ hyeah wid Mistah Gate. - Not dat I doan’ d’ sah yo’ tenshun - An’ doan’ preeshee-ate yo’ ’’ques’, - I prefer tran-quil-ler-kayshun - Sotin’ lookin’ at de res’.” - - “’Cep’ mah ’pology, Miss Liza, - Fo’ mah troo-ser-tay-shus ’ques’. - I jes ax’d yo’ fo’ politeness, - Tho’t yo’d lak to jine de res’.” - “’Tain’t er bit o’ trooshun, - Mistah Johnsin’, not at tall! - I may grant yo’ axin’ - When we ’ten’ sum uddah ball.” - - - - -PEEPIN’ TH’EW DE HUSK. - - - Dahky, doan’ worry, - Kaze de wintah’s dun gone! - Craps am all er sproutin’ - Soon we’ll hab de sugah co’n! - Den we’ll roas’ an’ stew it - An’ we’ll fry it in de pan, - Th’ow de buttah on it - Nufin’ fineah in de lan’! - - Hain’t er gwine to worry, - Needah make er bit o’ fuss! - Kaze de sugah co’n - Will soon be peepin’ th’ew de huss! - - See de wattah milluns - How dey’s cumin’ on de vine! - Lawd er mussy, chillun, - Puts yo’ teef erpun de grine! - Mussen’ think er bout ’em, - Gits mah stummuck all er jump! - Hea’t er fas’ah beatin’ - An’ er thumpin’! thump! thump! - - Hain’t er gwine to worry, - Needah make er bit o’ fuss! - Kaze de sugah co’n - Will soon be peepin’ th’ew de huss! - - When de wattah milluns - Git kervellopd on de vine, - Winkin’, peepin’ at yo’, - How er dahky’s eyes shine! - An’ yo’ buss’ ’em open - An’ yo’ see de blushin’ red, - Haben’ got er minute - Fo’ de bressins to be said! - - Hain’t er gwine to worry, - Needah make er bit o’ fuss! - Kaze de sugah co’n - Will soon be peepin’ th’ew de huss! - - Sun ’er creepin’ higher, - Am ’er gittin’ pow’ful hot! - Hoein’ an’ er weedin’ - Am er dahky’s tufes’ lot! - To de hoe er stickin’ - Till yo’ back jes’ ache an’ ache, - Sun er pohin’ on yo’ - Makes er dahky nahly bake! - - Hain’t er gwine to worry, - Needah make er bit o’ fuss! - Kaze de sugah co’n - Will soon be peepin’ th’ew de huss! - - Mo’ yo’ keeps er hoein’ - Fas’ah seems to gro’ de grass! - Dahky gits to thinkin’ - Hoein’ time will ebbah las’! - Weedin’ an’ er hoein’ - Ef er dahky was to stop, - Sho’ ez am de gospel - Wooden’ git er bit o’ crop! - - Hain’t er gwine to worry, - Needah make er bit o’ fuss! - Kaze de sugah co’n - Will soon be peepin’ th’ew de huss! - - - - -AXIN’, COON? CUM OBEAH. - - - Meadows lak er feddah bed, - Sproutin’ cloveah white an’ red, - Sof’ ez pillahs to de tread, - Axin’, coon? Cum obeah! - - Milluns loafin’ in de grass, - Flirtin’ when er coon cum pass, - When er look he dat way cas’, - Axin’, coon? Cum obeah! - - Cabbage loafin’ ’roun’ de stump, - Lookin’ sassy fat an’ plump, - Swellin’ up all in er bump, - Axin’, coon? Cum obeah! - - Coon er wockin’ at de co’n, - Doh dat’s all fo’ what he’s born, - Wockin, night and’ wockin’ morn, - Hain’t got time cum obeah! - - - - -HUSTLE. - - - Doan’ lag an’ fool - Erlong de way— - Hus’el! - Doan’ ’spec’ to do - All in er day— - Hus’el! - Things will cum - Out by an’ by, - Musen’ stop - To stew an’ sigh. - Den’s when success - May be nigh— - Hus’el! - - Take no time - Fo’ lookin’ back— - Hus’el! - T’ see whose cumin’ - On de track— - Hus’el! - Ebbry time - Yo’s losin’ groun’, - Time yo’ take - Fo’ gawkin ’roun’. - Ef yo’ ’spec’ - To git er crown— - Hus’el! - - Ef yo’ ’spec’ - Er good co’n crop— - Hus’el! - Nebah git it - Ef yo’ stop— - Hus’el! - Ef yo’ ’spec’ - De corn to gro’ - Full co’n stawks - In ebbry ro’, - Doan’ be skaid - To use de hoe— - Hus’el! - - Take no time - To argufy— - Hus’el! - T’ make sum fellah - Out er lie— - Hus’el! - Ha’f de time - Yo’s losin’ win’, - Same time doin’ - Er little sin. - Aftah all - Yo’ nuffin in— - Hus’el! - - - - -GO SLEEP. - - - Go sleep, li’l’ pickahninny! - Go sleep! - De boogahman koch yo’ - Ef yo’ peep! - Go sleep! - He prowlin’ ’roun’ - Sof’ ez er cat— - He kno’ whah - Li’l’ pickahninny’s at— - Go sleep! - - Go sleep, li’l’ pickahninny! - Go sleep! - Still ez er mouse - When creepin’ keep— - Go sleep! - De boogahman - Am moighty peert! - He sly ol’ fox - Dat’s on de ’lert! - Go sleep! - - Go sleep, li’l’ pickahninny! - Go sleep! - I hyeah de boogahman - Creep, creep creep! - Go sleep! - He kotch er hol’ - An’ shake de do’— - An’ ope his mouf - An’ said wo’, wo’! - Go sleep! - - - - -KAZE DE SUN AM SINKIN’. - - - Droopy, droopy, am de flow’rs, - Petals closed an’ shrinkin’, - Gone er sleepin’ an’ er doze— - Kaze de sun am sinkin’! - All de day er lookin’ gran’ - An’ er ’fumein’ up de lan’, - Baskin’ now in slumbah’s stran’— - Kaze de sun am sinkin’! - - Droopy, droopy, am de flow’rs, - Petals closed an’ shrinkin’ - Peepahs shet an’ fas’ ersleep, - Kaze de sun am sinkin’! - Crystal brooklet glidin’ ’long - Chants to dem er cradle song, - Res’ an’ slumbah, weary throng— - Kaze de sun am sinkin’! - - Droopy, droopy am de flow’rs, - Petals closed an’ shrinkin’, - Lull’d ersleep in fairy realm, - Kaze de sun am sinkin’! - All dey tinsels tints an’ hue - Dat attracts de bees an’ woo, - Closed dey now am all to view— - Kaze de sun am sinkin’! - - Droopy, droopy, am de flow’rs, - Petals closed an’ shrinkin’! - Soon will wake wid birds an’ bees, - When de sun’s dun sinkin’! - When de sunlight mounts to view, - At de tech o’ mornin’s dew - Once mo’ will dey ope to view— - Kaze de sun’s dun sinkin’! - - - - -SOFT FALLS THE NIGHT. - -This Poem is dedicated to MISS ANNA HALL SMITH. - - - Soft falls the night— - And chases ’way - The slowly dying - Summer day. - The sun from his - Ethereal height, - Is curtained by - The shades of night. - - Soft falls the night— - The birds that tune - Their song with nature - In commune - Now hush their lays - Seek silent rest, - Within their downy - Leafy nests. - - Soft falls the night— - Sweet peace divine - In each heart comes - To be enshrined, - While angels pause - On earth to show’r - The blessings of - The sovereign pow’r. - - Soft falls the night— - A peaceful sleep - O’er earthly mortals - Doth now creep. - They rest now from - Their day’s pursuit— - The world is still, - The world is mute. - - Soft falls the night— - The verdure green - Now glistens with - A dewy sheen. - The flowers droop, - Their petals close, - They dream away - In sweet repose. - - Soft fades the night— - Lo! breaks the dawn, - And nature ’wakens - With the morn, - Exultingly - Sends up her lays, - Her symphonies, - To God in praise. - - - - -GIT ON BOARD, CHILLUN. - - - De Gospel train am er scootin’ down de rail! - Git on board, chillun! - Fas’ah den er ship wid er ruddah an’ er sail! - Git on board, chillun! - De Lawd in heaben am de steam an’ de pow’r! - He run dat train forty millun miles an’ hour! - Jes’ es stroke ub de throttle - Sends her clah to heaben’s tow’r! - Git on board, chillun! - - No sinnah tribe kin ebbah ride on dat train! - Git on board, chillun! - De debil ner his imps ef day’s cut loose fum dey chain! - Git on board, chillun! - None but de lams ub de good Lawd’s fol’ - Kin ride dat train to de streets o’ gol’, - Wid de ’liggun lak an’ ocean obeahflowin’ in yo’ soul! - Git on board, chillun! - - She’s jes’ lak lightnin’ an’ de quibbah o’ de eye! - Git on board, chillun! - Ez she’s puffin’ an’ er steamin’ in er trabblin’ to de sky! - Git on board, chillun! - She’s limited, too, an’ she goes clah th’ew! - She’s got no time fo’ to fool wid yo’! - Yo’ mus’ git on board, when de time cums, doo! - Git on board, chillun! - - Dat train hain’t skeddul fo’ de secun’ time. - Git on board, chillun! - Fo’ to cum an’ fotch yo’ to de heabenly clime! - Git on board, chillun! - She goes straight on an’ she doan’ tarn back! - When she once git start why she hain’t gwine to slack! - Till she runs in heab’n on de right side track! - Git on board, chillun! - - De debil ner his imps kaint wreck dat ol’ train! - Git on board, chillun! - Ez she’s dashin’ an’ er steamin’ o’er de mountains an’ de plain! - Git on board, chillun! - She sticks to de rail lak de hyah on yo’ back! - An’ she nebbah was known fo’ to jump fum de track! - Kaze de Lawd’s at de throttle an’ he sho’ got de knac’! - Git on board, chillun! - - - - -UNCLE NED AN’ DE MOCKIN’ BIRD. - - - Bruddah Mocking Bird, - Yo’s moighty lazy. - Yo’ doan’ do nufin’ - But sing dat song, - Till de daylight’s gone - An’ de night cum ’long. - Er coon has got to hoe an’ hoe, - Till de sinkin’ sun - Tells de day to go. - - Lawd, but yo’ sing - So pow’ful sweet! - Perched up dah, - In yo’ leafy seat. - Is yo’ lonesum? - Does yo’ hea’t feel sad? - ’Pears to me - Dat yo’ soul feels glad. - - Ez Ise wockin’ hard, - Sweet ez de cloveah - Yo’ song - Floats obeah, - Way in de co’nfield - Whah de medlark sings, - Up in de bough - Ub de tree it clings. - - Yo’ nebah wock - But yo’ bread is sho’, - Out in de yahd; - ’Fo’ ebbry do’, - Sum kine han’ - Th’ows de little crum! - Kaze dey kno’ fo’ sho’ - Dat yo’ boun’ to cum. - - De good Samaritan - Part dey play. - Let yo’ go ’way? - Hungry? No! - Dey nebah wood, - Kase de Lawd wood say - Dat dey wasn’t good. - - I kinedah lak - To hyeah yo’ sing, - Ef yo’ is too lazy - To flop yo’ wing, - Sing on, - Fill de worl’ wid song. - I mus’ be gittin’ - Mah wock er long. - - - - -PO’ LI’L’ RASTUS. - - - Little Rastus feelin’ blue— - Po’ li’l’ Rastus! - Out o’ sorts an’ gloomy, too! - Po’ li’l’ Rastus! - Broke his little hobby hoss. - Makes de little fellah cross. - Doan’ cry, honey, ’tain’ much loss. - Po’ li’l’ Rastus! - - He jes’ wo’ out, rompin’ ’roun’, - Po’ li’l’ Rastus! - Git up, honey, fum de groun’. - Po’ li’l’ Rastus! - Look ee dah, dun spiled yo’ dress, - An’ it am yo’ Sunday bes’, - Now hain’t yo’ er poody mess! - Po’ li’l’ Rastus! - - Whut dat stickin’ on yo’ han’? - Po’ li’l’ Rastus! - Yo’ bin in de ’lasses can. - Po’ li’l’ Rastus! - Whut dat whut de Bible say - ’Bout de chile dat steal dat ’way? - He’ll go whah de bad man stay! - Po’ li’l’ Rastus! - - Dat ol’ bad man am er sight. - Po’ li’l’ Rastus! - Cum er sneakin’ ’roun’ at night. - Po’ li’l’ Rastus! - Cum an’ koch yo’ when yo’ sleep, - Den he take er great big leap! - Down er hol’ dat’s way down deep! - Po’ li’l’ Rastus! - - Cum hyeah, little wooly head. - Po’ li’l’ Rastus! - Gwine to tuck yo’ way to bed. - Po’ li’l’ Rastus! - Look ee dah, de day dun gone! - Shaddahs streamin’ th’ew de co’n, - Sleep until de sunlight dawn! - Po’ li’l’ Rastus! - - - - -SAMBO’S RAIN PHILOSOPHY. - - - Whut’s de use o’ raisin’ - ’Bout de weddah, cain? - Kase dey’s wid de sunshine - Mixed in clouds an’ rain; - Jes’ ez well be lafin’, - ’Joicin’ in yo’ soul. - Frettin’ an’ er stewin’ - Makes yo’ gray an’ ol’. - - Mussen’ ’spec’ to allus - Git things jes’ yo’ way. - Keep yo’ eye kock’d open - On er beddah day. - Learn to ’cep’ de weddah - Ez de Lawd control, - In time will be shinin’ - Sunshine bright an’ gold. - - Lawd am boun’ to sen’ de - Changes now an’ den, - Kaze He knows whut’s beddah - Fo’ yo’ in de en’. - Fus’ He sends de sunshine, - Nex’ He sends de rain, - To gibb life an’ viggah - To de gol’en grain. - - It’s de rainy weddah, - Buds de flowahs out, - Makes de wattahmilluns - An’ de ’tayters sprout; - It’s de rainy weddah - Makes de fahmahs shout; - Drives erway de famine, - Drives erway de drout. - - - - -JES’ KEEP ER LOOKIN’ UP. - - - Ef yo’ fren’s dey all fo’sake yo’, - Think yo’ gwine flat to de wall, - Salt an’ peppah nebbah’ll save yo’ - Fum an ebbah las’in’ fall. - - Ef yo’ got de right stuff in yo’, - You’ll keep allus lookin’ up, - ’Membrin’ sum de worl’s bes’ jewels - Drunk fum dis same bittah cup! - Ef yo’ habben’ got er dollah, - An’ no place to lay yo’ head, - An’ de meadows an’ de co’n fields - Only places fo’ yo’ bed; - - Ef de fo’ks am cuttin’ capeahs - ’Fo’ yo’ puttin’ on dey airs, - Wid dey silks an’ wid dey satins, - An’ all uddah kine o’ wares. - - Ef yo’ got de right stuff in yo’, - Yo’ll keep allus lookin up, - ’Membrin’ sum de worl’s bes’ jewels - Drunk fum dis same bittah cup! - Dey may tramp erpun yo’ feelin’s, - Dey may kick yo’ on de co’n, - An’ may tarn dey nose up at yo’ - Ez dey pass yo’ in dey scorn; - - Smiles dey nebbah may hab fo’ yo’, - Bes’ yo’ll git will be er frown, - An’ sum wurds mos’ harshly spoken, - Kaze dey think dat yo’ is down. - - Ef yo’ got de right stuff in yo’, - Yo’ll keep allus lookin’ up, - ’Membrin’ sum de worl’s bes’ jewels - Drunk fum dis same bittah cup! - Ef fo’ bread yo’ ax er bruddah, - An’ instead yo’ git er stone, - An’ yo’ ax fo’ consullayshun, - An’ yo’ bahly git er groan, - - An’ sum knock yo’ off yo’ shins, - An’ think yo’ nebah gwine to rise, - Swah to God dey nebbah dun it, - Meekly tell all kine o’ lies; - Let ’em go on hykerflootin’, - Ebbry dog sho’ habs his day; - Dey am uddah months, mah bruddah, - Jes’ es pleasant, ez am May. - - Ef yo’ got de right stuff in yo’, - Yo’ll keep allus lookin’ up, - ’Membrin’ sum de worl’s bes’ jewels - Drunk fum dis same bittah cup! - - - - -WISHED I’D RODE MAH HOSS. - - - Rode on dat ah ’lectric kyah! - Wished I’d rode mah hoss! - No musstake it raised mah hyah! - Oddah bin er long! - Nebbah seed sech runnin’ son! - Swo’ we’s flyin’ to de sun! - Tho’t dis dahky’s days was dun! - Wished I’d rode mah hoss! - - Gee! dat thing did split de ah! - Wished I’d rode mah hoss! - Nuffin’ wid it kin compah! - Oddah bin er long! - Ebbry thing wuz blurred in sight! - Dus’ flew higher den er kite! - Kooden’ tell de lef’ fum right! - Wished I’d rode mah hoss! - - When she struck eroun’ de kyerve, - Wished I’d rode mah hoss! - It unstrung mah ebbry nerve! - Oh, but I did squirm! - Oh, she kyahd us down de line! - No hobo kood stuck behine! - Ef he had he’d gone stone bline! - Wished I’d rode mah hoss! - - Now an’ den she sortah reel! - Wished I’d rode mah hoss! - Stirred me up fum head to heel! - Lawd but I did quake! - Tawk erbout er pow’ful prah! - I sho’ made one den an’ dah! - Strain was mo’ den I kood bah! - Wished I’d rode mah hoss! - - Once I hyeahd er moighty crack! - Wished I’d rode mah hoss! - Tho’t she’s gwine to leeb de track, - Oddah seed me, Chile! - I felt mos’ prekareyus, son! - I hain’t tawkin’ jes’ fo’ fun! - Tho’t dis dahky’s days was dun, - Wished I’d rode mah hoss! - - - - -EGGS! EGGS!! EGGS!!! - - - When I ’fleck o’ Eastah cum, - Eggs! eggs!! eggs!!! - Gits mah whol’ soul all er hum. - Eggs! eggs!! eggs!!! - When de chickens flopp dey wings, - Roostah cro’, de pullets sings, - Gib me ’bove all uddah things— - Eggs! eggs!! eggs!!! - - When de little chicks er creep, - Eggs! eggs!! eggs!!! - Run kerfrolic peep! peep! peep!! - Eggs! eggs!! eggs!!! - Appetite gits sort impressed, - Wood go good, roas’ chicken breas’, - Still goes beddah, nebahless. - Eggs! eggs!! eggs!!! - - When eroun’ de ol’ fiah place - Eggs! eggs!! eggs!!! - Eggs look yo’ squah in de face, - Eggs! eggs!! eggs!!! - Git ’em fryin’ in de pan, - Soun’ lak music o’ de ban’, - Chillun? Whee! But hain’t dey gran’. - Eggs! eggs!! eggs!!! - - Eat ’em poach ’er eat ’em bile, - Eggs! eggs!! eggs!!! - Make yo’ hit yo’ granny, chile. - Eggs! eggs!! eggs!!! - When yo’ eat ’em scramble, son, - Feel dat yo’ kood lif er ton, - Er brack bar yo’ kood out run. - Eggs! eggs!! eggs!!! - - - - -IT AM DE POSSUM TIME. - - - Weddah gittin’ chilly, - Fros’ er fallin’ on de vine! - Leaves er tarnin’ yallah, - Now de possum time is fine! - - Hickahnuts er fallin’, - Wid er thud, thud, thudd! - Poppin’ an’ er crackin’ - An’ er bus’in out de bud! - - It am de possum time! - Yes, it am de possum time! - It am de time er niggah - Fo’ de coon to go to clime! - - Crickets all er hollah - Tell er niggah it’s de fall! - Ripenin’ am de ’simmons - Fo’ de great an’ fo’ de small! - Niggah jes’ er waitin’ - Fo’ de fallin’ o’ de sno’, - Fo’ to chase de rabbit - Ez he’s wingin’ on de go! - - It am de possum time! - Yes, it am de possum time! - It am de time er niggah - Fo’ de coon to go to clime! - - When de sun’s dun sinkin’ - Cums de shinin’ o’ de moon, - Niggah’ll take de wahpaf - Fo’ to go to tree de coon! - Wid de dogs er bahkin’ - All er chasein’, all er romp! - Sniffin’ at de grasses - An’ er scratchin’ at de stump! - - It am de possum time! - Yes, it am de possum time! - It am de time er niggah - Fo’ de coon to go to clime! - - - - -STICK TO YOUR RACE! - - - Umph! how some cullahd fo’ks wan’ to be white. - Bekaze dey am brack dey doan’ nebah seem right. - Dey’s shame ub dey cullah; dey’s shame ub dey race; - Dat’s why dey wood lak to be white in de face. - - Bekaze dey kain’t bleech out, O, how dey deplore, - Fo’ to be cullahd to dem’s sech er bore. - To think de Lawd sent dem all into dis lan’ - Wif hyah dat am kinky an’ faces dat’s tan. - - Fus’ to de lef an’ den nex’ to de right, - Dey look to see if dey am sumfin’ in sight - To make dem bleech white, gib dem cheeks ub de rose - An’ sumfin’ to gib dem a high Roman noze. - - Dey’s kickin’ an fussin’ an’ raisin turmoil - Bekaze dey kain’t git hol’ de right kine ub oil - To take way de kinky effect dey kaint bah, - An’ make it jes’ lak de white folk’s auburn hyah. - - Dey use mutton sooit an’ tallow, an’ lard, - Oh Lward er Mussy! but don’t dey try hard! - To make it look wabey an’ glossy an’ slick. - Den paht in de middle dey am right to de quick. - Ef dey hain’t no hope, why dey go git a wig. - It mus’ be made fum white fok’s hyah, too, by jig. - Umph; who; Miss Sukie? why she wooden’ dah - To wah a wig made fum a coon’s nappy hyah. - - Whut’s de use er kickin’ - Bekaze o’ sech rot? - Bekaze yo’ kain’t bleech, - An’ turn white on de spot! - - Ef yo’ hyah’s kinky, - Yo’s brack ez de tar, - Thank de good Lawd - Dat yo’s jes’ lak yo’ are. - - - - -MEMORIAL DAY. - - - To sound of muffled drums to-day, - With slow and solemn tread; - The soldiers march with banners draped - Where dwell heroic dead. - - The blue, the gray of this fair realm - Assemble o’er this land, - Recount the deeds of valiant men - As one vast mourning band. - - The rich, the poor, the high, the low, - Observe this sacred day. - For all alike in days gone by - Have laid some friend away. - For death the mighty reaper comes - To rich as well as poor. - Unwelcome guest though he may be, - He comes to every door. - - To deck the graves of dear loved ones - Beneath luxuriant bow’rs, - Countless willing loving hands - Pluck nature’s tender flow’rs. - The tokens of a reverent love - For friends of that blest vale, - A love the ravages of time - Can never change nor pale. - - This day recalls much of the past— - The nation’s bloody wars, - The sacrifice of noble lives— - To make dominant the stripes and stars. - In philosophic narrative, - In eulogy and praise, - In honor of heroic dead - The speaker’s voice doth raise. - - And for the country’s honor fought - The black man once a slave. - Encouched within the history’s folds - The statement, “he was brave!” - Within the marching ranks to-day - Are remnants of the freed - Who fought and bled upon the field - When ’twas the country’s need. - - - - -TRUSSY’S VISIT. - - - Bress mah life! why, dis hain’t Trussey? - Go ’way Chile! whut dat yo’ say? - Yo’ hain’t fiddlin’ Peedah’s sonny— - Who’d er tho’t it, any way! - - Ax me ef I knowed yo’ daddy— - Knowed each uddah yeahs ergo. - Me an’ him hab bof togeddah, - Hoed er many ’taytah ro’. - - Res’ yo’ duddin’s! take de sofa, - Make yo’se’f jes’ lak yo’ home. - ’Cep’ mos’ free mah hooskerpalty, - Plenty time eroun’ to roam. - - See, hyeah, Dina, am dem chittlins - An’ dem hog feet th’ew er bile? - Who yo’ think we got fo’ dinnah? - Ol’ fren’ Fiddlin’ Peedah’s chile! - - Well, sah, I hain’t seed yo’ daddy - Since dat fight at Possum Trot. - Dog mah socks, we bof togeddah, - Whoop’d de debbil on de spot! - - Still er libbin’ down in Guinea? - Why, dat’s my ol’ rompin’ groun’. - Hain’t er spot, ner nook, ner crebbice - Dat I doan’ know ’bout dat town. - - Ready, Dinah? Bress de Lawd! umph! - Mah ol’ lady am er sight. - Kin she cook? Whut? Doan’ yo’ staht me! - She kin sho’ put things up right! - - Walk out, Trussy; go pertaykin’ - Ub de bes’ de ol’ man’s got! - Kose tain’t much, but prob’ly sumfin’s - Dah will kinedah tech de spot! - - Go ’head, say de bressins, Trussy, - Fo’ de Lawd sakes cut ’em short. - Lemme pos’ yo’ fo’ yo’ staht in, - Doan’ yo’ preach an’ try to e’ort— - - “Make us thankful, Heab’nly Faddah, - Fo’ dis hyeah pussipyus spread; - Hyeah deez few mos’ feeble ’spreshyuns - Dat yo’ umble sahvunt shed. - - “Gibb us wid ah daily bread, sah! - Chicken, an’ all sech ez dat! - Th’ow in now an’ den er possum, - Coon wid plenty lean an’ fat! - - “Po’ dy bressins on dis family— - Put mo’ chickens on dey roos’; - Things git skace, dey needs er he’pin’, - Len’ er ban’, gibb ’em er boos’.” - - Jump in, Trussy; git to business! - Ebbry fellah fo’ himse’f. - Whut’s hyeah fo’ us on dis table’s - Nuf to take er possum’s bref. - - Ha! ha! Trussy, dem ol’ hog feet - Sots dis ol’ soul all er chune! - Ha! ha! Dina? look at Trussy - Kock dat lef’ eye at dat coon! - - Yo’ hain’t full kin to yo’ daddy - Ef yo’ doesn’t lak de coon; - Possum, chicken, sweepahtaytahs. - An’ de sumpshus musherroon. - - Tell us ’bout ol’ Tootsy Tadpole. - Slipshod Beebe, Feeby Scott! - Susan Rhinehole. Sukie Slowup, - Husky Botts, de res’ de lot. - - Does I ’membah Slimmy Twostep? - Who? dat dah ol’ onry cuss? - Usetah hug de stove when happy, - In church raised all kine o’ fuss? - - Gibb him mo’ coon dumplin’s, Dina! - Sakes! he’s jes’ fell into eat. - Tote him few dem frizzlin’ passnups, - Lecktrifies yo’ to yo’ feet! - - Whah’s ol’ Susan Peecock, Trussy? - Is de debbil got her yet? - Sakes o’ lie! she’s got mo’ husban’s - Den yo’s fingers got, I’ll bet! - - Cum on wid dem pig tails, Dina! - Doan’ be primpin’ in de glass! - Mussen’ make de ol’ man wait so, - Yo’ look poody nuf to pass. - - Bress de Lawd! whee! glory! glory! - No joke, dem am sizzlin’ hot! - Lissen at de res’ dem fellahs - Prayin’ an’ singin’ in de pot! - - Go ’way, Fido! see hyeah, Dina! - Kick dat debbil out de do’! - Ebbry time he sniffs dem chittlins - He’s er hangin’ ’roun’ hyeah, sho’. - - See hyeah, chile! yo’ hain’t th’ew eatin’, - Rake mo’ dumplin’s on yo’ plate! - Go dem flapp jacks, sum dat grabey, - Eat ’long in de mopein’ gait. - - Pass de ol’ man few dem biskits; - B’lieve I’ll take sum poke chops, too! - Little mo’ dat drap down coffee, - Nuddah dose dat bullyun stew. - - Go on in de pollah, Trussy, - Ef yo’ got ernuf to eat. - I’ll be th’ew in jes’ er minute, - Den we’ll go an’ thrash sum wheat. - - - - -IS YO’ LONESUM, HONEY? - - - Ez de twilight fall, - An’ de koo-koo call, - An’ yo’ doan’ hyeah ’tall - Dis hyeah coon’s foot fall, - Is yo’ lonesum, Honey? - - Ez de moon creep high, - In de starlit sky, - An’ yo’ sot an’ sigh, - Kaze I doan’ cum nigh, - Is yo’ lonesum, Honey? - - Ez de night creep on, - Till de sun brings dawn, - Ez yo’ wake an’ yawn - In de cool ob de morn, - Still, yo’ lonesum, honey? - - - - -LARN TO HE’P YO’SE’F. - - - Bruddah Dahky, ef yo’d win, - Larn to he’p yo’se’f. - Mussen’ stop fo’ knocks on shin, - Larn to he’p yo’se’f. - Stop yo’ whinin’, try an’ try, - Take no time to weep an’ sigh. - Dah’s whahin’ yo’ success lie. - Larn to he’p yo’se’f. - - Yo’ mus’ fus’ prove yo’s er man. - Larn to he’p yo’se’f. - Try’n to ’skewt sum noble plan, - Larn to he’p yo’se’f. - Oh, de white fo’ks knows yo’s brave, - Fo’ dis freedom lan’ to save, - Dat yo’ fit on lan’ an’ wave. - Larn to he’p yo’se’f. - - All de white fo’ks hain’t yo’ foe. - Larn to he’p yo’se’f. - Dey will gibb yo’ plenty, sho’. - Ef yo’ he’p yo’se’f. - All er long dey’s bin mos’ kine, - He’p’d yo’ ’long er many line, - Is to all dis yo’ stone bline? - Larn to he’p yo’se’f. - - Dah’s Abe Linkum, Phillips, too, - Larn to he’p yo’se’f. - Bet yo’ life dey fit fo’ yo’. - Larn to he’p yo’se’f. - Thousands mo’ dat I kood name, - ’Mong dem, men o’ nashnul fame, - Fo’ yo’ dahky dun de same. - Larn to he’p yo’se’f. - - Sum de white fo’ks moighty mean, - Larn to he’p yo’se’f. - Likewise sum de brack fo’ks seem - Larn to he’p yo’se’f. - Ebbry race got p’culiar way, - Guess it all goes in de play; - Live in hopes dey’ll change sum day. - Larn to he’p yo’se’f. - - Yo’ kin shout an’ yo’ kin sing. - Larn to he’p yo’se’f. - Think yo’s ’neef de mahstah’s wing. - Larn to he’p yo’se’f. - But yo’ll nebah git er crown - Ef yo’ sot an’ fool eroun’, - Dis am Gospul true an’ soun’. - Larn to he’p yo’se’f. - - Dahky, stop dat little song— - Larn to he’p yo’se’f. - Gimme Jesus, take worl’ ’long, - Larn to he’p yo’se’f. - T ry to grip sum o’ dis lan’, - Den yo’ll feel mo’ lak er man; - Yo’ am boun’ to git sum san’, - Ef yo’ he’p yo’se’f. - - - - -COURTIN’ O’ DE PHONE. - - - Jingahling! jingahling! - When er sotin’ lone, - Yo’ kin call yo’ honey— - Go to courtin’ o’ de phone. - Drives erway de shaddahs, - Makes yo’ quit yo’ fret an’ stew, - Fills yo’ soul wid sunshine, - Opens up yo’ hea’t ernew. - - Jingahling! jingahling! - Dis yo’, Liza Jane? - “Yes, dis am yo’ honey,” - Cums de sweet an’ sof’en ’frain. - Den yo’ go to pohin’ - In her ear de words o’ love: - Tickles her to def, - An’ makes her think she am er dove. - - Jingahling! jingahling! - When yo’ hyeah her say: - “Honey, when yo’ gone it’s - Allus night an’ nebbah day,” - ’Pears dat while dey’s fallin’ - In yo’ ear, dat lovin’ tone, - Yo’ kin see yo’ honey - Standin’ dah befo’ de phone. - - Jingahling! jingahling! - Sweetah grows de tone. - Makes er niggah neerly - Ram his head clah th’ew de phone. - Kaze dem sugah wurds - Dey sho’ly make yo’ hea’t inspah— - ’Lecktrifies yo’ spirit, - Sots yo’ whol’ soul all er fiah! - - Jingahling! jingahling! - When de day is dun, - You no mo’ kin see de - Blazin’, dazzlin’, sinkin’ sun, - How yo’ lub to ’membah - ’Bout yo’ courtin’ o’ de phone, - Ez yo’ muse an’ pondah - In yo’ cabin all er lone! - - - - -LONESUM VALLEY CHRISTMUS TREE. - - - Bes’ ub all de Chrismus ’tainmunts - Dat I axshly ebbah seed, - Was de one at Lonesum Valley - At de church ub Pawsun Weed. - - All de ol’ fo’ks an’ de chillun - Dress purraded out dat night, - To de graid big Chrismus ’tainmun’ - Fo’ to git dey Chrismus mite. - - When dey’s geddahd in dat chapel, - Bruddah.—? Dey was thick ez hops, - When de chillun seed de candy, - Smack’d dey moufs an’ lick’d dey chops. - - Dey was He, He, an’ er lafin’ - An’ er clappin’ o’ dey han’s, - An’ dey jaws jes’ kep’ er crackin’, - Lak de chittlins in de pans. - - An’ de ol’ fo’ks tell yo’ honey, - Sah I bleeb dey was de wuss. - Dey’s so ankshus fo’ dey ’freshmun’s - Dey’s mos’ reddy fo’ to bus’. - - Preechah Weed wid dat dah swallow - Tail an’ ves’ ub his cut low, - Jes’ had all de flouncin’ sistahs - Leggin’ fo’ to be his boh. - - Bruddah Hookey he puzzided; - Felt so big he thowt he’s king; - Tuck er ball bat, rapp’d fo’ ordah, - Said, let’s cleah ah th’oats an’ sing. - - Well, he tuck his pussnel meedah, - Gib de linin’ ub de hymn, - An’ dey sing’d de “Weepin’ Moses” - An’ dey sing’d it too, by Jim! - - At de klooshun ub dat ditty, - Deekun Jaspah put up prah, - Th’ow’d his haid clah to de ceilin’ - Dough he seed de Gates er jah. - - Dis hain’t true, I’ll eat de ’possum, - Sech er prah yo’ nebbah hyea’d; - Scratch’d his haid an’ weep’d an’ hollahd - Tell his eyes lak blud was red. - - Oh, he’s moanin’ and er tonein’ - An’ er kotchen’ ub his bref— - Spit erpun his han’s an’ rubb’d em— - Pound de bench fum right to lef’. - - Las’ he ’klooded an’ de sistahs - Staht to sing plantashun coon. - Bruddah Hookey diden’ lak it; - Tol’ ’em dey was mos’ too soon. - - But de mos’ fun ub de evenin’ - Was when gibbin’ presen’s out. - Yo’d er crack’d yo’ sides er lafin’ - Tell yo’d got er hol’ de gout. - - On de tree dey was er chicken; - Wasn’t laybeld wid er name. - When de dahkies hyeahd erbout it - Ebbry one put up er claim. - - Bruddah Gyahdnah spied de chicken - Floppin’ ’neef de Chrismus tree; - Made er home run wid er hollah; - “Dat dah chicken am fo’ me!” - - Well, sah, when he hollah’d chicken - ’Twas de same ez holl’rin fiah, - Fo’ dat chicken was er stampeed - In de church an’ in de quah. - - Sum de sistahs dat had room’ticks - An’ de aches fo’ yeahs an’ yeahs, - Fo’ dat chicken was er scramblin’ - An’ a fallin’ obeah cheers. - - Preechah Weed he got so ’cited - Dat he run clah out his coat, - Fell ergin de stobe kerwollup! - Butt his haid an’ swo’ by note. - - But he jump’d up in er jiffy, - Feelin’ lak he was befo’, - Gibb er ban’ spring fo’ dat chicken, - But by Jinks he’s mos’ too slo’. - - ’Dough he hit he’s haid er stunnah, - Diden’ eben make er dent, - Kaze, he’s so much lak de debbil, - Haid was hard ez adament. - - All de time de res’ was skufflin’ - An’ er kickin’ right an’ lef’, - Got so bunkshus an’ bumbastic - Dey kood hahdly ’tain deyse’f. - - Loudah! Loudah! Got de janglin’ - Mo’ an’ mo’ dey ring’d dey bluf’, - Wuss de grabbin’ fo’ de chicken - Den’s when dey got at it ruf. - - Sum done pullin’ out dey razzahs - An’ er kyahvin’ fo’ de koh. - All de sistahs got to axin’ - Lawd sake leeb us out de doh! - - Fin’ly Bruddah Moses wid er - Kinedah p’culiar kine er trick, - Kotch’d de poultry, made er bee-line, - Cut er reg’lah dubble quick. - - Den sum swo’ day had bin kunjud, - Uddahs ’clahd dey’d bin hoo-dood, - Lef’ de ch’ch er swahin’ vengeance - In de wusses’ kine er mood. - - - - -YES, WEES GOT ER FLAG. - - - Ise hyeahd while in mah ramblin’s - Dat ah mos’ subnoxshus choon, - Dat ebry bressed nayshun’s - Got er flag excep’ de coon. - I hyeah de white fo’ks sing it, - An’ I hyeah de niggahs, too— - De way de niggahs sing it - Seems dey ’cep’ de thing fo’ true. - - Yes wees got er flag! - It’s de red! de white! de blue! - It’s de only one to which - De niggahs should be true! - - It sut’ly am mos’ ’gustin’ - Way de niggahs sing de thing. - Dey clap dey ban’s an’ hollah - Sot de kentry all er ring. - I doesn’t blame de white fo’ks - Ha’f ez much I do de coon - Fo’ singin’ an’ er whis’lin’ - Sech er “singyooaytin’” chune. - - Yes wees got er flag! - It’s de red! de white! de blue! - It’s de only one to which - De niggahs should be true! - - De little pickahninnies - Why dey sing dat meetah, too! - Dey clap dey han’s an’ hollah, - ’Zackly lak de ol’ fo’ks do— - An’ when I hyeah dem sing it - Ez dey dance an’ joobah pat— - I feels lak walzin’ to ’em - An’ jes’ knock’n dem out dey hat. - - Yes wees got er flag! - It’s de red! de white! de blue! - It’s de only one to which - De niggahs should be true! - - De blood ub ah ol’ foddahs - Ah er cry in’ fum de groun’. - Lissun! chillun, lissun! - Doan’ yo’ hyeah de doleful soun’? - Ergin’ sech kine ub ’spreshuns - An’ er gin sech kine ub choons, - “Dat ebry race an’ nayshun’s - Got er flag excep’ de coon.” - - Yes wees got er flag! - It’s de red! de white! de blue! - It’s de only one to which - De niggahs should be true! - - Dey fo’git when Bruddah Linkkum - Gibb er call in sixty-one. - Fo’ fo’ks to jine de army - Ebry niggah grabb’d his gun! - He lef his little cabin - While de ole fo’ks stood in tears. - To fight fo’ dis hyeah kentry - Ez true faithful volunteers. - - Yes wees got er flag! - It’s de red! de white! de blue! - It’s de only one to which - De niggahs should be true! - - Doh de po’ ol’ niggah - Doesn’t allus git his rights. - Fo’ his loyal kindness - Lots er kicks an’ lots ub smites. - Yet ’twas ’neef dat banner - Ha’f er millun niggahs fought. - He’p’d to win de vict’rys - Dat dis mighty kentry wrought. - - Yes wees got er flag! - It’s de red! de white! de blue! - It’s de only one to which - De niggahs should be true! - - Let all ub de niggahs - Teach dey chillun all to love. - Dat ol’ starry banner - Dat am floatin’ up er ’bove. - Spite ub all ah trubble - Things dat makes ah progress lagg, - ’Membah dat Ol’ Glory - Am ah bannah, am ah flag! - - Yes wees got er flag! - It’s de red! de white! de blue! - It’s de only one to which - De niggahs should be true! - - Lissun! chillun, lissun! - When dis niggah’s in his grave, - Let dat dah ol’ banner - O’er dis niggah ebbah wave. - ’Kaze dat dah ol’ banner - Undah which ah foddahs fought, - Am de only banner - Fo’ to love dat I was taught. - - Yes wees got er flag! - It’s de red! de white! de blue! - It’s de only one to which - De niggahs should be true! - - - - -HI, MISTAH DAHKY. - - - Hi, mistah dahky! - De hoein’ time’s er cumin’— - Loafin’s nearly obeah - Fo’ er fiddlin’ an’ er drummin’, - Dancin’ wid de ladies - An’ er steppin’ lak er racer, - Drinkin’ Tom an’ Jerry - An’ sum burbon fo’ er bracer. - - Hi, mistah dahky! - Bin er ’joicin’ all de wintah? - Spawkin’ wid de ladies - An’ er cuttin’ quite er splintah? - Dressed up lak er peacock - Hyah all pawted in de middle, - Shakein’ lak er wilier - Jes’ er prancin’ to de fiddle? - - Hi, mistah dahky! - See de sun er gittin higher? - Pohin’ down de heatin’ - Lak er Sodom an’ Gomire. - Showers am er fallin’ - An’ de gawden craps er sproutin. - Hi, mistah dahky! - In yo’ soul is yo’ er doubtin’? - - Hi, mistah dahky! - Mo’ den singin’ an’ er prayin’, - De Mastah am requirin’ - In dis worrul while yo’s er stayin’, - Spendin’ all yo’ time - Shoutin’, knockin’ down de benches, - Beddah take mo’ time fo’ - Hoein’, fixin’ up yo’ fences. - - Hi, mistah dahky! - Am de meadows lookin’ temptin’? - Lak er bed er feddahs - Make yo’ dream lak Israel kemptin’? - Sympathizin’ wid yo’ - But de fo’ks is dun er sowin’. - Hi, mistah dahky! - Now de nex’ thing am de hoein’. - - Hi, mistah dahky! - In yo’ soul will yo’ be singin’ - When yo’ see de millins - On de runnin’ vines er clingin’? - Sugah co’n er tasslin’ - An’ de punkins tarnin’ yallah, - Seasonin’ an’ er sweetenin’ - Gittin’ meely, gittin’ mellah. - - - - -DEY’S ER COL’ WAVE BRESHIN’ NIGH. - - - Trees dey leaves er sheddin’, - An’ de grasses tarnin’ brown. - Summah days is obeah, - An’ de wintah’s cumin’ roun’ - Lonely quail er callin’, - Wid er weary lonely sigh, - Sno’ will soon be fallin’, - Soon er fallin’ fum de sky. - - Coolsum is de weddah, - Dey’s er col’ wave breshin’ nigh. - Look out fo’ de wintah, - Kaze it’s cumin’ by an’ by. - Lissun at de wailin’, - An’ jes’ lissun at de moan, - Lissun at de sighin’ - Tell yo’ dat’s de wintah’s tone. - - Craps dun quit er sproutin’, - Not er millun’s on de vine. - Haint er watah seedin’, - Not er portion ub er rhine. - Long time fo’ to wait - Until de wintah leaves dis clime, - Summah cums er totein’ - ’Roun’ de sweet ol’ millun time. - - Hain’t no use er kickin’ - Kaze de Lawd is got control, - Makin’ ub de weddah - Eedah hot ah eedah col’. - Nebbah ax er pussun, - Nebbah no whah on de spot, - Wheddah dey would lak to - Hab de weddah col’ er hot. - - So jes’ well keep joggin’ - ’Long er happy sort er way, - Crackin’ jokes er whislin’ - Till de wintah goes estray. - Weddah doesn’t suit yo’, - Jes’ well make yo’se’f content. - Larn to’cep’ de weddah - Any sort er way it’s sent. - - - - -FORCE OF WORDS. - - - Chicken stew - Was all I said. - Made dat coon - Hop out o’ bed, - Butt his head - Ergin de wall - Kooden’ stan’ - De thing at all. - - Jes’ dat menshun, - Jes’ dat talk, - Made dat coon’s - Eyes white ez chawk. - Looked eroun’ - An’ licked his chops - Ez doh he hyeahd - Dey wings flopp! flopp! - - Well, dem wurds, - Dey struck dat coon - Lak er ’lectric - Shock in June! - Kooden’ sleep - No mo’ dat night, - Rolled an’ tossed - Until daylight. - - - - -I TOL’ YO’ SO. - - - Playin’ out dah - Wid dat white trash’, - I tol’ yo’ so. - Dat yo’ back - Wood git er lash; - I tol’ yo’ so. - Pay no ’tenshun - Whut I say, - Allus got - Sum uddah way, - Wished yo’ haddah, - P’haps, sum day. - I tol’ yo’ so. - - Yo’ de wusses’ - Chile in town, - I tol’ yo’ so. - Foll’rin’ all - De white trash ’roun’ - I tol’ yo’ so. - Aftah Peedah, - John and Paul, - Fus’ thing fightin’ - Wid ’em all; - Den de niggah’s - Fus’ to fall. - I tol’ yo’ so. - - Licked de ’lasses - Off yo’ bread, - I tol’ yo’ so. - Den dey knocked - Yo’ in de head. - I tol’ yo’ so. - Called yo’ niggah - Sich ez dat - Said yo’ hyah - Wuz lak er mat. - Umph! Dem white fo’ks - Made yo’ scat. - I tol’ yo’ so. - - Umph! Dey skaid - Yo’ mos’ to def. - I tol’ yo’ so. - Look ee dah, - Yo’ out o’ bref. - I tol’ yo’ so. - Run so fas’ - Dun los’ yo’ hat, - Got no idea - Whah it’s at; - Gwine to whoop - Yo’ good fo’ dat. - I tol’ yo’ so. - - - - -THE PASSING OF NIGHT. - - - De moon’s dun sneaked - Clah out er sight, - De stars dun quit - Dey peepin’; - De shaddahs dun gone - Stole erway, - De world’s dun quit - It’s sleepin’. - - De hours dey’s slowly - Creeped erlong - Until de world’s in light - An’ song; - De sun smiles on - Creation’s throng— - Er cross de worl’ - Goes sweeping. - - - - -A TALE O’ WOE. - - - Manny am de battle - Dahky’s got to fight. - Ebbry tarn he’s makin’ - Trouble’s dah in sight. - Ef he’s got de ’liggun - Puffec’ to de spot, - Hard to keep fum cussin’ - Losin’ all he’s got. - - White fo’ks got de money, - White fo’ks got de lan’, - Doan’ wan’ a po’ dahky - Hab er place to stan’. - Ef dey miss er chicken - Ef dey miss er goose, - Fus’ thing grab er dahky - Fo’ de calerboose. - - Long ez he’s er hoein’, - Diggin’ in de san’, - Bress yo’ soul, say, mistah, - He am jes’ de man. - Let him git de money - Cumin’ mos’ too fas’, - White fo’ks git to skeemin’, - Say it mussen’ las’. - - - - -LULLABY. - - - Pickahninny, Pickahninny, - Close yo’ little eyes. - Evenin’ am er ’proachin’, - Tells yo’ sleep an’ quit yo’ cries, - Mammy’s gwine to keep - All o’ de boogahman erway— - Gyahd her little pickahninny - Till de cumin’ day. - - Pickahninny, pickahninny, - Sleep an’ take yo’ res; - Sleep wid all de cumfort - Ub de birdies in dey nes’. - When de sun’s dun sinkin’, - In de eas’ begin to rise, - Mammy’s little pickahninny - Den kin ope’ its eyes. - - Pickahninny, pickahninny, - Mammy’s little love, - May de gyahdin’ angels - Hubbah ’roun’ de fum erbove. - Wid dey sof’en sweeten whispahs - Keep de lull’d er sleep, - While de weary lonely hours - Slowly onward creep. - - Pickahninny, pickahninny, - Keep er fas’ er sleep, - While de weary, lonely hours - Slowly onward creep. - Day will soon be breakin’, - Sun er creepin’ ’cross de skies, - Mammy’s little pickahninny - Den kin ope it’s eyes. - - - - -THE ECSTASY OF UNCLE JOE. - - - Feel lak shoutin’ hallelooyah, - Habben’ got an’ ache ner pain. - Los’ dat kahnsahn roomertism, - No mo’ hobblin’ wid dat cane. - - Things look lak de Eden Gawden, - Hardly bleeb dis am mah se’f. - Dis am bliss in ebbry ’ticklah, - Tickles mah ol’ soul to def. - - Dat snake oil sho’ did de bizzness, - Geddah wid dem herbs an’ roots. - Bress de Lawd! umph! grayshus Mahstah! - Hardly stay in mah ol’ boots! - - Go ’way, chillun, let yo’ daddy - Hab de place all to hisse’f. - Kaze de ol’ man’s jollyfyin’ - An’ he’s drawin’ bran’ new bref. - - Dis ol’ frame am no mo’ shaky, - Doh I is mos’ eighty-eight. - Dem ol’ jints am jes’ ez soople’s - When Ise in mah youthful state. - - Feel lak lay’n erside mah ’liggun, - Once mo’ dance de buck an’ wing. - Is dah ’mong yo’ doubtin’ Thomas, - Think dat I kaint do dat thing? - - Oh, I ustah cut it, chillun, - When ol’ fiddlin’ Peet was ’roun’. - Had all o’ de white an’ brac’ fo’ks - Beat, dat lived er bout de town. - - An’ yo bet he was er fiddlah, - Make yo’ dance yo’se’f leg bowl. - Played de sweetes’ kine o’ ditties - Dat jes’ ’joiced yo’ berry soul. - - Look hyeah, Rastus! drap dat fiddle, - Doan’ yo’ sot dat thing er chune. - Ef yo’ do, in spite mah ’liggun, - Make out me er dancin’ coon. - - See, de debbil’s allus skeemin’ - Fo’ to make de Chris’shuns sin. - Usein’ chillun in his bizzness, - Dat’s de way he takes to win. - - Now, he put it in li’l Rastus - Fo’ to git dat fiddle down. - Tho’t I kooden’ r’sist tem’tayshun - Fo’ to dance at its ol’ soun’. - - Not dis time, oh, no! Brer Satan, - Kin yo’ make out me er clown. - Git me dancin, lose mah ’liggun - On de las’ day lose mah crown. - - Guess I beddah git de Bible, - Read de Mahstah’s bressed Wurd. - Leeb deez hyeah mischebus raskuls, - Kaze dey’s sum de debil’s herd. - - - - -KEEP ER GOIN’. - - - Yo’ dat’s in de race o’ life, - Keep er goin’! - Nebah stop fo’ little strife, - Keep er goin’! - Sum one kick yo’ on de co’n, - Nuddah prick yo’ wid er thorn, - Toot loudah on yo’ horn, - Keep er goin’! - - Ef yo’ sortah lose de track, - Keep er goin’! - Doan’ tarn fool an’ saunter back, - Keep er goin’! - - Take no time to ax an’ ’quire, - Keep er headin’ fo’ de wire. - Push out in de mud an’ mire. - Keep er goin’! - - Ef de road leads ’roun’ an’ ’roun’, - Keep er goin’! - Sumtimes up an’ sumtimes down, - Keep er goin’! - Ef yo’ fall an’ crack yo’ shin, - Git up, koch yo’ secun’ win’. - Spruce up, try de thing ergin. - Keep er goin’! - - - - -CLIMIN’ UP DE HILL. - - - Fo’ to climb de hill o’ fame, - Bet it takes er lot o’ tussel. - It takes er lot er scratchin’ - An’ it takes er lot er hus’le. - It’s now an’ den er slip, - An’ it’s now an’ den er stumble. - Ef yo’ ’spec’ to reach de summit - Yo’ mus’ keep on meek an’ humble. - - Ez yo’ climin’ up de hill, - Yo’ will git er lot er clubbin’, - Yo’ll git er lot er knockin’, - An’ yo’ll git er lot er drubbin’! - Now an’ den yo’ll mope, - Den ergin yo’ll be er creepin’. - Yo’ll git so tiad an’ weary, - Wan’ to res’ an’ go to sleepin’. - - Ez yo’ climin’ fo’ de prize, - Yo’ mus’ do er lot o’ scramble, - Yo’ll run into de briars, - An’ yo’ll strike er lot o’ bramble. - Yo’ll fine er lot o’ thorns - ’Stead er findin’ lots o’ roses. - Keep er headin’ fo’ de summit, - Dah is whah success reposes. - - Yo’ mussen’ spec’ er crown - Fus’ widdout sum tribyoolayshun, - Kaze dat’s de rule o’ ordah - Fo’ de white an’ brackes’ nation. - Yo’ kno’ it’s sumtimes up, - Den ergin it’s in de valley, - Den ergin yo’ go er scootin’ - Towards de goal yo’ go er sally. - - Yo’ run on fo’ er spell, - Den ergin yo’ git to slippin’, - Yo’ now an’ den’ll reel, - Git to trippin’ an’ er tippin’, - But lak de ship o’ Zion, - When de waves it am er dashin’ - Yo’ ride right th’ew de storm, - In de harbor cum er splashin’. - - - - -SISTAH RUFFLE. - - - No use tawkin,’ sistah Ruffle - Am a gittin’ out de kinks; - Gittin’ up to date in fashun, - She out-dresses sistah Jinks; - Got a bran new dress o’ satin, - Wid a hot stuff ruffl’d skirt; - Way she’s lookin’ ebry dahky - At her grinn’d an’ tried to flirt. - - An’ she’s gone an’ got a mobeel - Cumin’ down klah to her feet; - One dem silks trimm’d in white kawdin,’ - It’s a stunnah, kain’t be beet; - An’ her hat, oh goodness grashus! - Lak a flowah bed o’ bloom; - An’ she fewmigate de breezes, - Wid de sweetes’ kine o’ ’fewme. - - Oh, yo’ know ol’ sistah Ruffle, - Ustah wash erbout de town; - Had a husbahn dat was leg-bowl, - Jes’ as ugly as a clown; - Yes de ol’ gal we’ de goggles, - Hobblin’ ’roun’ wid roomotick, - Diden’ hab ’em on dat ’kayshun, - She was flouncin’ double quick. - - Doan’ yo’ know, she am bawlhaided, - But dat dey she we’ er wig; - Dog mah cats ef yo’ kood tell it, - Ef yo’ could I’d dance’d a jig; - Twasn’t made fum hyah dat’s kinky, - But fum dat call’d awbun hyah; - Looks so poody slick, an’ wabey, - Kine yo’ see de white fo’ks wah. - - Had it done an’ roll’d in ribbon, - On de pompydoro style; - Had deez great big whut yo’ call ’em? - Hyahpins yais yo’ right mah chile; - At de sides she lef’ it bushy - Fo’ to kibbah up her yeahs; - Kose she seed de white fo’ks do it - Fo’ de las’ free o’ fo’ yeahs. - - Yais, she had on glasses, go ’way! - Dem dat habs de gol’en rim - An’ a chain wuz fas’en to ’em, - Cumin’ down beneef her chin; - An’ her bowkey, go’ way honey! - It wahs flowahs o’ all kine, - Oh, it look’d mos’ loud an’ spickyus, - Wish’d de lawd it had bin mine. - - Oddah seed her when she pass’d us, - Thow’d her head clah to de cloud; - Switch’d her se’f an’ kooden’ see us, - Kaze she’s togg’d up mos’ to loud; - Now an’ den shed’ gib us, honey, - Whut yo’ call de cake wa’k gran’, - An’ her big feet cut no figgah; - Was’ she right? she beet de ban’. - - When she’d pass sto’ windahs, honey, - She’d size up her se’f an’ smile; - Twis’ her-se’f an’ lif her trailah, - Cose she tho’wt she’s poody, chile; - Why, I know’d dat dah ol’ dahky - When she haden’ braid to eat; - When it cum to shoes an’ sockin’s, - Dey was stranjahs to her feet. - - Now she needn’t be o’ spreadin’ - On befo’ me any ahs, - Kaze de Lawd in heaben knows it, - Dat I ’bout her doesn’t kyahs; - She jes’ lately got a penshun, - An’ it’s sortah swell’d her haid, - It’s a wondah diden’ bus’ it, - An’ de dahky isn’t daid. - - Doan’ yo’ ’membah when she usetah - Wah dat bumzeen yallah dress? - Whah she’s gwine to git de nex’ one, - Kep’ her allus on de guess; - Whut I say a ’bout sum dahkies, - Ef dey git a rag er to, - ’Speshly dems po’ as Jobe’s tukehy, - Dey’ll wa’k obah me an’ yo’. - - I jes’ feed dem kine o’ dahkies, - Wid er big long hanel spoon; - Bet dey needen’ take dis sistah, - Fo’ er hankshef haided coon; - Kaze it’s bawn in all ah kin fo’ks, - To be stylish an’ be proud, - Nebbah habs dis lady, honey, - To sech dahkies ebah bow’d. - - - - -THE GALLANT BLACKS OF SAN JUAN HILL. - - - Without a tremor or a pause, - Enlisted for their country’s cause, - ’Mid shout and song the gallant boys - Charge up the hill of San Juan. - - Like war-scarred veterans of old, - Made with patriot ardor bold, - Press they forward towards the goal, - Not a soldier falters. - - Blood and carnage everywhere, - Detonations rend the air, - Not for once do they despair, - But press on to conquer. - - See them charge with matchless splendor - Heart to heart each one’s defender, - All praise for the part they render, - For them is the victory. - - See the starry emblem high; - This they’ll keep or all will die. - Forward! Is their battle cry, - See them still advancing. - - Hell of fire ’tis their’s to greet, - Comrades falling at their feet. - Still for them to fight ’tis sweet, - See them still advancing! - - See the foe’s ranks try to rally, - Thank God! They’ve made their last tally. - Ne’er again will they forth sally, - Lost their hopes forever! - - Another charge! They reach the summit, - And the prize at last they’ve won it, - Fighting ev’ry inch they’ve done it, - Vic’try on their banner. - - Columbia, thou hast won the day, - Tribute on the altar lay. - Plaudits to those brave boys pay, - They thy brave defenders. - - Heaven swing thy gates a-wide, - Forever in thy walls abide, - Let those who so nobly died, - Be this, their reward. - - In the starry firmament, - Thou bright gem of government, - Brightest in the firmament, - Still thy encircling light. - - As a beacon and a sign, - To oppressed men ever shine, - Till on this terrestrial ball, - God shall end the reign of all. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PLANTATION ECHOES *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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. 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