HOW LUCY BACKSLIDDe times is mighty stirrin' 'mong de people up ouah way,Dey 'sputin' an' dey argyin' an' fussin' night an' day;An' all dis monst'ous trouble dat hit meks me tiahed to tellIs 'bout dat Lucy Jackson dat was sich a mighty belle.She was de preachah's favoured, an' he tol' de chu'ch one nightDat she travelled thoo de cloud o' sin a-bearin' of a light;But, now, I 'low he t'inkin' dat she mus' 'a' los' huh lamp,Case Lucy done backslided an' dey trouble in de camp.Huh daddy wants to beat huh, but huh mammy daihs him to,Fu' she lookin' at de question f'om a ooman's pint o' view;An' she say dat now she would n't have it diff'ent ef she could;Dat huh darter only acted jes' lak any othah would.Cose you know w'en women argy, dey is mighty easy ledBy dey hea'ts an' don't go foolin' 'bout de reasons of de haid.So huh mammy laid de law down (she ain' reckernizin' wrong),But you got to mek erlowance fu' de cause dat go along.Now de cause dat made Miss Lucy fu' to th'ow huh grace awayI 's afeard won't baih no 'spection w'en hit come to jedgement day;Do' de same t'ing been a-wo'kin' evah sence de worl' began,—De ooman disobeyin' fu' to 'tice along a man.Ef you 'tended de revivals which we held de wintah pas',You kin rickolec' dat convuts was a-comin' thick an' fas';But dey ain't no use in talkin', dey was all lef' in de lu'chW'en ol' Mis' Jackson's dartah foun' huh peace an' tuk de chu'ch.W'y, she shouted ovah evah inch of Ebenezah's flo';Up into de preachah's pulpit an' f'om dah down to de do';Den she hugged an' squeezed huh mammy, an' she hugged an' kissed huh dad,An' she struck out at huh sistah, people said, lak she was mad.I has 'tended some revivals dat was lively in my day,An' I 's seed folks git 'uligion in mos' evah kin' o' way;But I tell you, an' you b'lieve me dat I 's speakin' true indeed,Dat gal tuk huh 'ligion ha'dah dan de ha'dest yit I 's seed.Well, f'om dat, 't was "Sistah Jackson, won't you please do dis er dat?"She mus' allus sta't de singin' w'en dey 'd pass erroun' de hat,An' hit seemed dey was n't nuffin' in dat chu'ch dat could go by'Dout sistah Lucy Jackson had a finger in de pie.But de sayin' mighty trufeful dat hit easiah to sailW'en de sea is ca'm an' gentle dan to weathah out a gale.Dat 's whut made dis ooman's trouble; ef de sto'm had kep' away,She 'd 'a' had enough 'uligion fu' to lasted out huh day.Lucy went wid 'Lishy Davis, but w'en she jined chu'ch, you knowDah was lots o' little places dat, of cose, she could n't go;An' she had to gin up dancin' an' huh singin' an' huh play.—Now hit's nachul dat sich goin's-on 'u'd drive a man away.So, w'en Lucy got so solemn, Ike he sta'ted fu' to goWid a gal who was a sinnah an' could mek a bettah show.Lucy jes' went on to meetin' lak she did n't keer a rap,But my 'sperunce kep' me t'inkin dah was somep'n' gwine to drap.Fu' a gal won't let 'uligion er no othah so't o' t'ingStop huh w'en she teks a notion dat she wants a weddin' ring.You kin p'omise huh de blessin's of a happy aftah life(An' hit's nice to be a angel), but she 'd ravah be a wife.So w'en Chrismus come an' mastah gin a frolic on de lawn,Did n't 'sprise me not de littlest seein' Lucy lookin' on.An' I seed a wa'nin' lightnin' go a-flashin' f'om huh eyeJest ez 'Lishy an' his new gal went a-gallivantin' by.An' dat Tildy, umph! she giggled, an' she gin huh dress a flirtLak de people she was passin' was ez common ez de dirt;An' de minit she was dancin', w'y dat gal put on mo' aihsDan a cat a-tekin' kittens up a paih o' windin' staihs.She could 'fo'd to show huh sma'tness, fu' she could n't he'p but knowDat wid jes' de present dancahs she was ownah of de flo';But I t'ink she 'd kin' o' cooled down ef she happened on de slyFu' to noticed dat 'ere lightnin' dat I seed in Lucy's eye.An' she would n't been so 'stonished w'en de people gin a shout,An' Lucy th'owed huh mantle back an' come a-glidin' out.Some ahms was dah to tek huh an' she fluttahed down de flo'Lak a feddah f'om a bedtick w'en de win' commence to blow.Soon ez Tildy see de trouble, she jes' tu'n an' toss huh haid,But seem lak she los' huh sperrit, all huh darin'ness was daid.Did n't cut anothah capah nary time de blessid night;But de othah one, hit looked lak could n't git enough delight.W'en you keeps a colt a-stan'nin' in de stable all along,W'en he do git out hit 's nachul he 'll be pullin' mighty strong.Ef you will tie up yo' feelin's, hyeah 's de bes' advice to tek,Look out fu' an awful loosin' w'en de string dat hol's 'em brek.Lucy's mammy groaned to see huh, an' huh pappy sto'med an' to',But she kep' right on a-hol'in' to de centah of de flo'.So dey went an' ast de pastoh ef he could n't mek huh quit,But de tellin' of de sto'y th'owed de preachah in a fit.Tildy Taylor chewed huh hank'cher twell she 'd chewed it in a hole,—All de sinnahs was rejoicin' 'cause a lamb had lef de fol',An' de las' I seed o' Lucy, she an' 'Lish was side an' side:I don't blame de gal fu' dancin', an' I could n't ef I tried.Fu' de men dat wants to ma'y ain't a-growin' 'roun' on trees,An' de gal dat wants to git one sholy has to try to please.Hit's a ha'd t'ing fu' a ooman fu 'to pray an' jes' set down,An' to sacafice a husban' so 's to try to gain a crown.Now, I don' say she was justified in follerin' huh plan;But aldough she los' huh 'ligion, yit she sholy got de man.Latah on, w'en she is suttain dat de preachah 's made 'em fas'She kin jes' go back to chu'ch an' ax fu'giveness fu' de pas'!
De times is mighty stirrin' 'mong de people up ouah way,Dey 'sputin' an' dey argyin' an' fussin' night an' day;An' all dis monst'ous trouble dat hit meks me tiahed to tellIs 'bout dat Lucy Jackson dat was sich a mighty belle.
De times is mighty stirrin' 'mong de people up ouah way,
Dey 'sputin' an' dey argyin' an' fussin' night an' day;
An' all dis monst'ous trouble dat hit meks me tiahed to tell
Is 'bout dat Lucy Jackson dat was sich a mighty belle.
She was de preachah's favoured, an' he tol' de chu'ch one nightDat she travelled thoo de cloud o' sin a-bearin' of a light;But, now, I 'low he t'inkin' dat she mus' 'a' los' huh lamp,Case Lucy done backslided an' dey trouble in de camp.
She was de preachah's favoured, an' he tol' de chu'ch one night
Dat she travelled thoo de cloud o' sin a-bearin' of a light;
But, now, I 'low he t'inkin' dat she mus' 'a' los' huh lamp,
Case Lucy done backslided an' dey trouble in de camp.
Huh daddy wants to beat huh, but huh mammy daihs him to,Fu' she lookin' at de question f'om a ooman's pint o' view;An' she say dat now she would n't have it diff'ent ef she could;Dat huh darter only acted jes' lak any othah would.
Huh daddy wants to beat huh, but huh mammy daihs him to,
Fu' she lookin' at de question f'om a ooman's pint o' view;
An' she say dat now she would n't have it diff'ent ef she could;
Dat huh darter only acted jes' lak any othah would.
Cose you know w'en women argy, dey is mighty easy ledBy dey hea'ts an' don't go foolin' 'bout de reasons of de haid.So huh mammy laid de law down (she ain' reckernizin' wrong),But you got to mek erlowance fu' de cause dat go along.
Cose you know w'en women argy, dey is mighty easy led
By dey hea'ts an' don't go foolin' 'bout de reasons of de haid.
So huh mammy laid de law down (she ain' reckernizin' wrong),
But you got to mek erlowance fu' de cause dat go along.
Now de cause dat made Miss Lucy fu' to th'ow huh grace awayI 's afeard won't baih no 'spection w'en hit come to jedgement day;Do' de same t'ing been a-wo'kin' evah sence de worl' began,—De ooman disobeyin' fu' to 'tice along a man.
Now de cause dat made Miss Lucy fu' to th'ow huh grace away
I 's afeard won't baih no 'spection w'en hit come to jedgement day;
Do' de same t'ing been a-wo'kin' evah sence de worl' began,—
De ooman disobeyin' fu' to 'tice along a man.
Ef you 'tended de revivals which we held de wintah pas',You kin rickolec' dat convuts was a-comin' thick an' fas';But dey ain't no use in talkin', dey was all lef' in de lu'chW'en ol' Mis' Jackson's dartah foun' huh peace an' tuk de chu'ch.
Ef you 'tended de revivals which we held de wintah pas',
You kin rickolec' dat convuts was a-comin' thick an' fas';
But dey ain't no use in talkin', dey was all lef' in de lu'ch
W'en ol' Mis' Jackson's dartah foun' huh peace an' tuk de chu'ch.
W'y, she shouted ovah evah inch of Ebenezah's flo';Up into de preachah's pulpit an' f'om dah down to de do';Den she hugged an' squeezed huh mammy, an' she hugged an' kissed huh dad,An' she struck out at huh sistah, people said, lak she was mad.
W'y, she shouted ovah evah inch of Ebenezah's flo';
Up into de preachah's pulpit an' f'om dah down to de do';
Den she hugged an' squeezed huh mammy, an' she hugged an' kissed huh dad,
An' she struck out at huh sistah, people said, lak she was mad.
I has 'tended some revivals dat was lively in my day,An' I 's seed folks git 'uligion in mos' evah kin' o' way;But I tell you, an' you b'lieve me dat I 's speakin' true indeed,Dat gal tuk huh 'ligion ha'dah dan de ha'dest yit I 's seed.
I has 'tended some revivals dat was lively in my day,
An' I 's seed folks git 'uligion in mos' evah kin' o' way;
But I tell you, an' you b'lieve me dat I 's speakin' true indeed,
Dat gal tuk huh 'ligion ha'dah dan de ha'dest yit I 's seed.
Well, f'om dat, 't was "Sistah Jackson, won't you please do dis er dat?"She mus' allus sta't de singin' w'en dey 'd pass erroun' de hat,An' hit seemed dey was n't nuffin' in dat chu'ch dat could go by'Dout sistah Lucy Jackson had a finger in de pie.
Well, f'om dat, 't was "Sistah Jackson, won't you please do dis er dat?"
She mus' allus sta't de singin' w'en dey 'd pass erroun' de hat,
An' hit seemed dey was n't nuffin' in dat chu'ch dat could go by
'Dout sistah Lucy Jackson had a finger in de pie.
But de sayin' mighty trufeful dat hit easiah to sailW'en de sea is ca'm an' gentle dan to weathah out a gale.Dat 's whut made dis ooman's trouble; ef de sto'm had kep' away,She 'd 'a' had enough 'uligion fu' to lasted out huh day.
But de sayin' mighty trufeful dat hit easiah to sail
W'en de sea is ca'm an' gentle dan to weathah out a gale.
Dat 's whut made dis ooman's trouble; ef de sto'm had kep' away,
She 'd 'a' had enough 'uligion fu' to lasted out huh day.
Lucy went wid 'Lishy Davis, but w'en she jined chu'ch, you knowDah was lots o' little places dat, of cose, she could n't go;An' she had to gin up dancin' an' huh singin' an' huh play.—Now hit's nachul dat sich goin's-on 'u'd drive a man away.
Lucy went wid 'Lishy Davis, but w'en she jined chu'ch, you know
Dah was lots o' little places dat, of cose, she could n't go;
An' she had to gin up dancin' an' huh singin' an' huh play.—
Now hit's nachul dat sich goin's-on 'u'd drive a man away.
So, w'en Lucy got so solemn, Ike he sta'ted fu' to goWid a gal who was a sinnah an' could mek a bettah show.Lucy jes' went on to meetin' lak she did n't keer a rap,But my 'sperunce kep' me t'inkin dah was somep'n' gwine to drap.
So, w'en Lucy got so solemn, Ike he sta'ted fu' to go
Wid a gal who was a sinnah an' could mek a bettah show.
Lucy jes' went on to meetin' lak she did n't keer a rap,
But my 'sperunce kep' me t'inkin dah was somep'n' gwine to drap.
Fu' a gal won't let 'uligion er no othah so't o' t'ingStop huh w'en she teks a notion dat she wants a weddin' ring.You kin p'omise huh de blessin's of a happy aftah life(An' hit's nice to be a angel), but she 'd ravah be a wife.
Fu' a gal won't let 'uligion er no othah so't o' t'ing
Stop huh w'en she teks a notion dat she wants a weddin' ring.
You kin p'omise huh de blessin's of a happy aftah life
(An' hit's nice to be a angel), but she 'd ravah be a wife.
So w'en Chrismus come an' mastah gin a frolic on de lawn,Did n't 'sprise me not de littlest seein' Lucy lookin' on.An' I seed a wa'nin' lightnin' go a-flashin' f'om huh eyeJest ez 'Lishy an' his new gal went a-gallivantin' by.
So w'en Chrismus come an' mastah gin a frolic on de lawn,
Did n't 'sprise me not de littlest seein' Lucy lookin' on.
An' I seed a wa'nin' lightnin' go a-flashin' f'om huh eye
Jest ez 'Lishy an' his new gal went a-gallivantin' by.
An' dat Tildy, umph! she giggled, an' she gin huh dress a flirtLak de people she was passin' was ez common ez de dirt;An' de minit she was dancin', w'y dat gal put on mo' aihsDan a cat a-tekin' kittens up a paih o' windin' staihs.
An' dat Tildy, umph! she giggled, an' she gin huh dress a flirt
Lak de people she was passin' was ez common ez de dirt;
An' de minit she was dancin', w'y dat gal put on mo' aihs
Dan a cat a-tekin' kittens up a paih o' windin' staihs.
She could 'fo'd to show huh sma'tness, fu' she could n't he'p but knowDat wid jes' de present dancahs she was ownah of de flo';But I t'ink she 'd kin' o' cooled down ef she happened on de slyFu' to noticed dat 'ere lightnin' dat I seed in Lucy's eye.
She could 'fo'd to show huh sma'tness, fu' she could n't he'p but know
Dat wid jes' de present dancahs she was ownah of de flo';
But I t'ink she 'd kin' o' cooled down ef she happened on de sly
Fu' to noticed dat 'ere lightnin' dat I seed in Lucy's eye.
An' she would n't been so 'stonished w'en de people gin a shout,An' Lucy th'owed huh mantle back an' come a-glidin' out.Some ahms was dah to tek huh an' she fluttahed down de flo'Lak a feddah f'om a bedtick w'en de win' commence to blow.
An' she would n't been so 'stonished w'en de people gin a shout,
An' Lucy th'owed huh mantle back an' come a-glidin' out.
Some ahms was dah to tek huh an' she fluttahed down de flo'
Lak a feddah f'om a bedtick w'en de win' commence to blow.
Soon ez Tildy see de trouble, she jes' tu'n an' toss huh haid,But seem lak she los' huh sperrit, all huh darin'ness was daid.Did n't cut anothah capah nary time de blessid night;But de othah one, hit looked lak could n't git enough delight.
Soon ez Tildy see de trouble, she jes' tu'n an' toss huh haid,
But seem lak she los' huh sperrit, all huh darin'ness was daid.
Did n't cut anothah capah nary time de blessid night;
But de othah one, hit looked lak could n't git enough delight.
W'en you keeps a colt a-stan'nin' in de stable all along,W'en he do git out hit 's nachul he 'll be pullin' mighty strong.Ef you will tie up yo' feelin's, hyeah 's de bes' advice to tek,Look out fu' an awful loosin' w'en de string dat hol's 'em brek.
W'en you keeps a colt a-stan'nin' in de stable all along,
W'en he do git out hit 's nachul he 'll be pullin' mighty strong.
Ef you will tie up yo' feelin's, hyeah 's de bes' advice to tek,
Look out fu' an awful loosin' w'en de string dat hol's 'em brek.
Lucy's mammy groaned to see huh, an' huh pappy sto'med an' to',But she kep' right on a-hol'in' to de centah of de flo'.So dey went an' ast de pastoh ef he could n't mek huh quit,But de tellin' of de sto'y th'owed de preachah in a fit.
Lucy's mammy groaned to see huh, an' huh pappy sto'med an' to',
But she kep' right on a-hol'in' to de centah of de flo'.
So dey went an' ast de pastoh ef he could n't mek huh quit,
But de tellin' of de sto'y th'owed de preachah in a fit.
Tildy Taylor chewed huh hank'cher twell she 'd chewed it in a hole,—All de sinnahs was rejoicin' 'cause a lamb had lef de fol',An' de las' I seed o' Lucy, she an' 'Lish was side an' side:I don't blame de gal fu' dancin', an' I could n't ef I tried.
Tildy Taylor chewed huh hank'cher twell she 'd chewed it in a hole,—
All de sinnahs was rejoicin' 'cause a lamb had lef de fol',
An' de las' I seed o' Lucy, she an' 'Lish was side an' side:
I don't blame de gal fu' dancin', an' I could n't ef I tried.
Fu' de men dat wants to ma'y ain't a-growin' 'roun' on trees,An' de gal dat wants to git one sholy has to try to please.Hit's a ha'd t'ing fu' a ooman fu 'to pray an' jes' set down,An' to sacafice a husban' so 's to try to gain a crown.
Fu' de men dat wants to ma'y ain't a-growin' 'roun' on trees,
An' de gal dat wants to git one sholy has to try to please.
Hit's a ha'd t'ing fu' a ooman fu 'to pray an' jes' set down,
An' to sacafice a husban' so 's to try to gain a crown.
Now, I don' say she was justified in follerin' huh plan;But aldough she los' huh 'ligion, yit she sholy got de man.Latah on, w'en she is suttain dat de preachah 's made 'em fas'She kin jes' go back to chu'ch an' ax fu'giveness fu' de pas'!
Now, I don' say she was justified in follerin' huh plan;
But aldough she los' huh 'ligion, yit she sholy got de man.
Latah on, w'en she is suttain dat de preachah 's made 'em fas'
She kin jes' go back to chu'ch an' ax fu'giveness fu' de pas'!
TWO LITTLE BOOTSTwo little boots all rough an' wo',Two little boots!Law, I 's kissed 'em times befo',Dese little boots!Seems de toes a-peepin' thooDis hyeah hole an' sayin' "Boo!"Evah time dey looks at you—Dese little boots.Membah de time he put 'em on,Dese little boots;Riz an' called fu' 'em by dawn,Dese little boots;Den he tromped de livelong day,Laffin' in his happy way,Evaht'ing he had to say,"My little boots!"Kickin' de san' de whole day long,Dem little boots;Good de cobblah made 'em strong,Dem little boots!Rocks was fu' dat baby's use,I'on had to stan' abuseW'en you tu'ned dese champeens loose,Dese little boots!Ust to make de ol' cat cry,Dese little boots;Den you walked it mighty high,Proud little boots!Ahms akimbo, stan'in' wide,Eyes a-sayin' "Dis is pride!"Den de manny-baby stride!You little boots.Somehow, you don' seem so gay,Po' little boots,Sence yo' ownah went erway,Po' little boots!Yo' bright tops don' look so red,Dese brass tips is dull an' dead;"Goo'-by," whut de baby said;Deah little boots!Ain't you kin' o' sad yo'se'f,You little boots?Dis is all his mammy 's lef',Two little boots.Sence huh baby gone an' died.Heav'n itse'f hit seem to hideDes a little bit insideTwo little boots.
Two little boots all rough an' wo',Two little boots!Law, I 's kissed 'em times befo',Dese little boots!Seems de toes a-peepin' thooDis hyeah hole an' sayin' "Boo!"Evah time dey looks at you—Dese little boots.
Two little boots all rough an' wo',
Two little boots!
Law, I 's kissed 'em times befo',
Dese little boots!
Seems de toes a-peepin' thoo
Dis hyeah hole an' sayin' "Boo!"
Evah time dey looks at you—
Dese little boots.
Membah de time he put 'em on,Dese little boots;Riz an' called fu' 'em by dawn,Dese little boots;Den he tromped de livelong day,Laffin' in his happy way,Evaht'ing he had to say,"My little boots!"
Membah de time he put 'em on,
Dese little boots;
Riz an' called fu' 'em by dawn,
Dese little boots;
Den he tromped de livelong day,
Laffin' in his happy way,
Evaht'ing he had to say,
"My little boots!"
Kickin' de san' de whole day long,Dem little boots;Good de cobblah made 'em strong,Dem little boots!Rocks was fu' dat baby's use,I'on had to stan' abuseW'en you tu'ned dese champeens loose,Dese little boots!
Kickin' de san' de whole day long,
Dem little boots;
Good de cobblah made 'em strong,
Dem little boots!
Rocks was fu' dat baby's use,
I'on had to stan' abuse
W'en you tu'ned dese champeens loose,
Dese little boots!
Ust to make de ol' cat cry,Dese little boots;Den you walked it mighty high,Proud little boots!Ahms akimbo, stan'in' wide,Eyes a-sayin' "Dis is pride!"Den de manny-baby stride!You little boots.
Ust to make de ol' cat cry,
Dese little boots;
Den you walked it mighty high,
Proud little boots!
Ahms akimbo, stan'in' wide,
Eyes a-sayin' "Dis is pride!"
Den de manny-baby stride!
You little boots.
Somehow, you don' seem so gay,Po' little boots,Sence yo' ownah went erway,Po' little boots!Yo' bright tops don' look so red,Dese brass tips is dull an' dead;"Goo'-by," whut de baby said;Deah little boots!
Somehow, you don' seem so gay,
Po' little boots,
Sence yo' ownah went erway,
Po' little boots!
Yo' bright tops don' look so red,
Dese brass tips is dull an' dead;
"Goo'-by," whut de baby said;
Deah little boots!
Ain't you kin' o' sad yo'se'f,You little boots?Dis is all his mammy 's lef',Two little boots.Sence huh baby gone an' died.Heav'n itse'f hit seem to hideDes a little bit insideTwo little boots.
Ain't you kin' o' sad yo'se'f,
You little boots?
Dis is all his mammy 's lef',
Two little boots.
Sence huh baby gone an' died.
Heav'n itse'f hit seem to hide
Des a little bit inside
Two little boots.
TO THE ROADCool is the wind, for the summer is waning,Who 's for the road?Sun-flecked and soft, where the dead leaves are raining,Who 's for the road?Knapsack and alpenstock press hand and shoulder,Prick of the brier and roll of the boulder;This be your lot till the season grow older;Who 's for the road?Up and away in the hush of the morning,Who 's for the road?Vagabond he, all conventions a-scorning,Who 's for the road?Music of warblers so merrily singing,Draughts from the rill from the roadside up-springing,Nectar of grapes from the vines lowly swinging,These on the road.Now every house is a hut or a hovel,Come to the road:Mankind and moles in the dark love to grovel,But to the road.Throw off the loads that are bending you double;Love is for life, only labor is trouble;Truce to the town, whose best gift is a bubble:Come to the road!
Cool is the wind, for the summer is waning,Who 's for the road?Sun-flecked and soft, where the dead leaves are raining,Who 's for the road?Knapsack and alpenstock press hand and shoulder,Prick of the brier and roll of the boulder;This be your lot till the season grow older;Who 's for the road?
Cool is the wind, for the summer is waning,
Who 's for the road?
Sun-flecked and soft, where the dead leaves are raining,
Who 's for the road?
Knapsack and alpenstock press hand and shoulder,
Prick of the brier and roll of the boulder;
This be your lot till the season grow older;
Who 's for the road?
Up and away in the hush of the morning,Who 's for the road?Vagabond he, all conventions a-scorning,Who 's for the road?Music of warblers so merrily singing,Draughts from the rill from the roadside up-springing,Nectar of grapes from the vines lowly swinging,These on the road.
Up and away in the hush of the morning,
Who 's for the road?
Vagabond he, all conventions a-scorning,
Who 's for the road?
Music of warblers so merrily singing,
Draughts from the rill from the roadside up-springing,
Nectar of grapes from the vines lowly swinging,
These on the road.
Now every house is a hut or a hovel,Come to the road:Mankind and moles in the dark love to grovel,But to the road.Throw off the loads that are bending you double;Love is for life, only labor is trouble;Truce to the town, whose best gift is a bubble:Come to the road!
Now every house is a hut or a hovel,
Come to the road:
Mankind and moles in the dark love to grovel,
But to the road.
Throw off the loads that are bending you double;
Love is for life, only labor is trouble;
Truce to the town, whose best gift is a bubble:
Come to the road!
A SPRING WOOINGCome on walkin' wid me, Lucy; 't ain't no time to mope erroun'Wen de sunshine 's shoutin' glory in de sky,An' de little Johnny-Jump-Ups 's jes' a-springin' f'om de groun',Den a-lookin' roun' to ax each othah w'y.Don' you hyeah dem cows a-mooin'? Dat 's dey howdy to de spring;Ain' dey lookin' most oncommon satisfied?Hit 's enough to mek a body want to spread dey mouf an' singJes' to see de critters all so spa'klin'-eyed.W'y dat squir'l dat jes' run past us, ef I did n' know his tricks,I could swaih he 'd got 'uligion jes' to-day;An' dem liza'ds slippin' back an' fofe ermong de stones an' sticksIs a-wigglin' 'cause dey feel so awful gay.Oh, I see yo' eyes a-shinin' dough you try to mek me b'lieveDat you ain' so monst'ous happy 'cause you come;But I tell you dis hyeah weathah meks it moughty ha'd to 'ceiveEf a body's soul ain' blin' an' deef an' dumb.Robin whistlin' ovah yandah ez he buil' his little nes';Whut you reckon dat he sayin' to his mate?He's a-sayin' dat he love huh in de wo'ds she know de bes',An' she lookin' moughty pleased at whut he state.Now, Miss Lucy, dat ah robin sholy got his sheer o' sense,An' de hen-bird got huh mothah-wit fu' true;So I t'ink ef you 'll ixcuse me, fu' I do' mean no erfence,Dey 's a lesson in dem birds fu' me an' you.I 's a-buil'in' o' my cabin, an' I 's vines erbove de do'Fu' to kin' o' gin it sheltah f'om de sun;Gwine to have a little kitchen wid a reg'lar wooden flo',An' dey 'll be a back verandy w'en hit 's done.I 's a-waitin' fu' you, Lucy, tek de 'zample o' de birds,Dat 's a-lovin' an' a-matin' evahwhaih.I cain' tell you dat I loves you in de robin's music wo'ds,But my cabin 's talkin' fu' me ovah thaih!
Come on walkin' wid me, Lucy; 't ain't no time to mope erroun'Wen de sunshine 's shoutin' glory in de sky,An' de little Johnny-Jump-Ups 's jes' a-springin' f'om de groun',Den a-lookin' roun' to ax each othah w'y.Don' you hyeah dem cows a-mooin'? Dat 's dey howdy to de spring;Ain' dey lookin' most oncommon satisfied?Hit 's enough to mek a body want to spread dey mouf an' singJes' to see de critters all so spa'klin'-eyed.
Come on walkin' wid me, Lucy; 't ain't no time to mope erroun'
Wen de sunshine 's shoutin' glory in de sky,
An' de little Johnny-Jump-Ups 's jes' a-springin' f'om de groun',
Den a-lookin' roun' to ax each othah w'y.
Don' you hyeah dem cows a-mooin'? Dat 's dey howdy to de spring;
Ain' dey lookin' most oncommon satisfied?
Hit 's enough to mek a body want to spread dey mouf an' sing
Jes' to see de critters all so spa'klin'-eyed.
W'y dat squir'l dat jes' run past us, ef I did n' know his tricks,I could swaih he 'd got 'uligion jes' to-day;An' dem liza'ds slippin' back an' fofe ermong de stones an' sticksIs a-wigglin' 'cause dey feel so awful gay.Oh, I see yo' eyes a-shinin' dough you try to mek me b'lieveDat you ain' so monst'ous happy 'cause you come;But I tell you dis hyeah weathah meks it moughty ha'd to 'ceiveEf a body's soul ain' blin' an' deef an' dumb.
W'y dat squir'l dat jes' run past us, ef I did n' know his tricks,
I could swaih he 'd got 'uligion jes' to-day;
An' dem liza'ds slippin' back an' fofe ermong de stones an' sticks
Is a-wigglin' 'cause dey feel so awful gay.
Oh, I see yo' eyes a-shinin' dough you try to mek me b'lieve
Dat you ain' so monst'ous happy 'cause you come;
But I tell you dis hyeah weathah meks it moughty ha'd to 'ceive
Ef a body's soul ain' blin' an' deef an' dumb.
Robin whistlin' ovah yandah ez he buil' his little nes';Whut you reckon dat he sayin' to his mate?He's a-sayin' dat he love huh in de wo'ds she know de bes',An' she lookin' moughty pleased at whut he state.Now, Miss Lucy, dat ah robin sholy got his sheer o' sense,An' de hen-bird got huh mothah-wit fu' true;So I t'ink ef you 'll ixcuse me, fu' I do' mean no erfence,Dey 's a lesson in dem birds fu' me an' you.
Robin whistlin' ovah yandah ez he buil' his little nes';
Whut you reckon dat he sayin' to his mate?
He's a-sayin' dat he love huh in de wo'ds she know de bes',
An' she lookin' moughty pleased at whut he state.
Now, Miss Lucy, dat ah robin sholy got his sheer o' sense,
An' de hen-bird got huh mothah-wit fu' true;
So I t'ink ef you 'll ixcuse me, fu' I do' mean no erfence,
Dey 's a lesson in dem birds fu' me an' you.
I 's a-buil'in' o' my cabin, an' I 's vines erbove de do'Fu' to kin' o' gin it sheltah f'om de sun;Gwine to have a little kitchen wid a reg'lar wooden flo',An' dey 'll be a back verandy w'en hit 's done.I 's a-waitin' fu' you, Lucy, tek de 'zample o' de birds,Dat 's a-lovin' an' a-matin' evahwhaih.I cain' tell you dat I loves you in de robin's music wo'ds,But my cabin 's talkin' fu' me ovah thaih!
I 's a-buil'in' o' my cabin, an' I 's vines erbove de do'
Fu' to kin' o' gin it sheltah f'om de sun;
Gwine to have a little kitchen wid a reg'lar wooden flo',
An' dey 'll be a back verandy w'en hit 's done.
I 's a-waitin' fu' you, Lucy, tek de 'zample o' de birds,
Dat 's a-lovin' an' a-matin' evahwhaih.
I cain' tell you dat I loves you in de robin's music wo'ds,
But my cabin 's talkin' fu' me ovah thaih!
JOGGIN' ERLONGDe da'kest hour, dey allus say,Is des' befo' de dawn,But it's moughty ha'd a-waitin'W'ere de night goes frownin' on;An' it's moughty ha'd a-hopin'W'en de clouds is big an' black,An' all de t'ings you 's waited fu'Has failed, er gone to wrack—But des' keep on a-joggin' wid a little bit o' song,De mo'n is allus brightah w'en de night's been long.Dey 's lots o' knocks you 's got to tekBefo' yo' journey 's done,An' dey 's times w'en you 'll be wishin'Dat de weary race was run;W'en you want to give up tryin'An' des' float erpon de wave,W'en you don't feel no mo' sorrerEz you t'ink erbout de grave—Den, des' keep on a-joggin' wid a little bit o' song,De mo'n is allus brightah w'en de night's been long.De whup-lash sting a good deal mo'De back hit 's knowed befo',An' de burden 's allus heavies'Whaih hits weight has made a so';Dey is times w'en tribulationSeems to git de uppah han'An' to whip de weary trav'lah'Twell he ain't got stren'th to stan'—But des' keep on a-joggin' wid a little bit o' song,De mo'n is allus brightah w'en de night's been long.
De da'kest hour, dey allus say,Is des' befo' de dawn,But it's moughty ha'd a-waitin'W'ere de night goes frownin' on;An' it's moughty ha'd a-hopin'W'en de clouds is big an' black,An' all de t'ings you 's waited fu'Has failed, er gone to wrack—But des' keep on a-joggin' wid a little bit o' song,De mo'n is allus brightah w'en de night's been long.
De da'kest hour, dey allus say,
Is des' befo' de dawn,
But it's moughty ha'd a-waitin'
W'ere de night goes frownin' on;
An' it's moughty ha'd a-hopin'
W'en de clouds is big an' black,
An' all de t'ings you 's waited fu'
Has failed, er gone to wrack—
But des' keep on a-joggin' wid a little bit o' song,
De mo'n is allus brightah w'en de night's been long.
Dey 's lots o' knocks you 's got to tekBefo' yo' journey 's done,An' dey 's times w'en you 'll be wishin'Dat de weary race was run;W'en you want to give up tryin'An' des' float erpon de wave,W'en you don't feel no mo' sorrerEz you t'ink erbout de grave—Den, des' keep on a-joggin' wid a little bit o' song,De mo'n is allus brightah w'en de night's been long.
Dey 's lots o' knocks you 's got to tek
Befo' yo' journey 's done,
An' dey 's times w'en you 'll be wishin'
Dat de weary race was run;
W'en you want to give up tryin'
An' des' float erpon de wave,
W'en you don't feel no mo' sorrer
Ez you t'ink erbout de grave—
Den, des' keep on a-joggin' wid a little bit o' song,
De mo'n is allus brightah w'en de night's been long.
De whup-lash sting a good deal mo'De back hit 's knowed befo',An' de burden 's allus heavies'Whaih hits weight has made a so';Dey is times w'en tribulationSeems to git de uppah han'An' to whip de weary trav'lah'Twell he ain't got stren'th to stan'—But des' keep on a-joggin' wid a little bit o' song,De mo'n is allus brightah w'en de night's been long.
De whup-lash sting a good deal mo'
De back hit 's knowed befo',
An' de burden 's allus heavies'
Whaih hits weight has made a so';
Dey is times w'en tribulation
Seems to git de uppah han'
An' to whip de weary trav'lah
'Twell he ain't got stren'th to stan'—
But des' keep on a-joggin' wid a little bit o' song,
De mo'n is allus brightah w'en de night's been long.
IN MAYOh to have you in May,To talk with you under the trees,Dreaming throughout the day,Drinking the wine-like breeze,Oh it were sweet to thinkThat May should be ours again,Hoping it not, I shrink,Out of the sight of men.May brings the flowers to bloom,It brings the green leaves to the tree,And the fatally sweet perfume,Of what you once were to me.
Oh to have you in May,To talk with you under the trees,Dreaming throughout the day,Drinking the wine-like breeze,
Oh to have you in May,
To talk with you under the trees,
Dreaming throughout the day,
Drinking the wine-like breeze,
Oh it were sweet to thinkThat May should be ours again,Hoping it not, I shrink,Out of the sight of men.
Oh it were sweet to think
That May should be ours again,
Hoping it not, I shrink,
Out of the sight of men.
May brings the flowers to bloom,It brings the green leaves to the tree,And the fatally sweet perfume,Of what you once were to me.
May brings the flowers to bloom,
It brings the green leaves to the tree,
And the fatally sweet perfume,
Of what you once were to me.
DREAMSWhat dreams we have and how they flyLike rosy clouds across the sky;Of wealth, of fame, of sure success,Of love that comes to cheer and bless;And how they wither, how they fade,The waning wealth, the jilting jade—The fame that for a moment gleams,Then flies forever,—dreams, ah—dreams!O burning doubt and long regret,O tears with which our eyes are wet,Heart-throbs, heart-aches, the glut of pain,The somber cloud, the bitter rain,You were not of those dreams—ah! well,Your full fruition who can tell?Wealth, fame, and love, ah! love that beamsUpon our souls, all dreams—ah! dreams.
What dreams we have and how they flyLike rosy clouds across the sky;Of wealth, of fame, of sure success,Of love that comes to cheer and bless;And how they wither, how they fade,The waning wealth, the jilting jade—The fame that for a moment gleams,Then flies forever,—dreams, ah—dreams!
What dreams we have and how they fly
Like rosy clouds across the sky;
Of wealth, of fame, of sure success,
Of love that comes to cheer and bless;
And how they wither, how they fade,
The waning wealth, the jilting jade—
The fame that for a moment gleams,
Then flies forever,—dreams, ah—dreams!
O burning doubt and long regret,O tears with which our eyes are wet,Heart-throbs, heart-aches, the glut of pain,The somber cloud, the bitter rain,You were not of those dreams—ah! well,Your full fruition who can tell?Wealth, fame, and love, ah! love that beamsUpon our souls, all dreams—ah! dreams.
O burning doubt and long regret,
O tears with which our eyes are wet,
Heart-throbs, heart-aches, the glut of pain,
The somber cloud, the bitter rain,
You were not of those dreams—ah! well,
Your full fruition who can tell?
Wealth, fame, and love, ah! love that beams
Upon our souls, all dreams—ah! dreams.
THE TRYSTDe night creep down erlong de lan',De shadders rise an' shake,De frog is sta'tin' up his ban',De cricket is awake;My wo'k is mos' nigh done, Celes',To-night I won't be late,I 's hu'yin' thoo my level bes',Wait fu' me by de gate.De mockin'-bird 'll sen' his gleeA-thrillin' thoo and thoo,I know dat ol' magnolia-treeIs smellin' des' fu' you;De jessamine erside de roadIs bloomin' rich an' white,My hea't 's a-th'obbin' 'cause it knowedYou 'd wait fu' me to-night.Hit 's lonesome, ain't it, stan'in' thaihWid no one nigh to talk?But ain't dey whispahs in de aihErlong de gyahden walk?Don't somep'n kin' o' call my name,An' say "he love you bes'"?Hit 's true, I wants to say de same,So wait fu' me, Celes'.Sing somep'n fu' to pass de time,Outsing de mockin'-bird,You got de music an' de rhyme,You beat him wid de word.I 's comin' now, my wo'k is done,De hour has come fu' res',I wants to fly, but only run—Wait fu' me, deah Celes'.
De night creep down erlong de lan',De shadders rise an' shake,De frog is sta'tin' up his ban',De cricket is awake;My wo'k is mos' nigh done, Celes',To-night I won't be late,I 's hu'yin' thoo my level bes',Wait fu' me by de gate.
De night creep down erlong de lan',
De shadders rise an' shake,
De frog is sta'tin' up his ban',
De cricket is awake;
My wo'k is mos' nigh done, Celes',
To-night I won't be late,
I 's hu'yin' thoo my level bes',
Wait fu' me by de gate.
De mockin'-bird 'll sen' his gleeA-thrillin' thoo and thoo,I know dat ol' magnolia-treeIs smellin' des' fu' you;De jessamine erside de roadIs bloomin' rich an' white,My hea't 's a-th'obbin' 'cause it knowedYou 'd wait fu' me to-night.
De mockin'-bird 'll sen' his glee
A-thrillin' thoo and thoo,
I know dat ol' magnolia-tree
Is smellin' des' fu' you;
De jessamine erside de road
Is bloomin' rich an' white,
My hea't 's a-th'obbin' 'cause it knowed
You 'd wait fu' me to-night.
Hit 's lonesome, ain't it, stan'in' thaihWid no one nigh to talk?But ain't dey whispahs in de aihErlong de gyahden walk?Don't somep'n kin' o' call my name,An' say "he love you bes'"?Hit 's true, I wants to say de same,So wait fu' me, Celes'.
Hit 's lonesome, ain't it, stan'in' thaih
Wid no one nigh to talk?
But ain't dey whispahs in de aih
Erlong de gyahden walk?
Don't somep'n kin' o' call my name,
An' say "he love you bes'"?
Hit 's true, I wants to say de same,
So wait fu' me, Celes'.
Sing somep'n fu' to pass de time,Outsing de mockin'-bird,You got de music an' de rhyme,You beat him wid de word.I 's comin' now, my wo'k is done,De hour has come fu' res',I wants to fly, but only run—Wait fu' me, deah Celes'.
Sing somep'n fu' to pass de time,
Outsing de mockin'-bird,
You got de music an' de rhyme,
You beat him wid de word.
I 's comin' now, my wo'k is done,
De hour has come fu' res',
I wants to fly, but only run—
Wait fu' me, deah Celes'.
A PLEATreat me nice, Miss Mandy Jane,Treat me nice.Dough my love has tu'ned my brain,Treat me nice.I ain't done a t'ing to shame,Lovahs all ac's jes' de same;Don't you know we ain't to blame?Treat me nice!Cose I know I 's talkin' wild;Treat me nice;I cain't talk no bettah, child,Treat me nice;Whut a pusson gwine to do,Wen he come a-cou'tin' youAll a-trimblin' thoo and thoo?Please be nice.Reckon I mus' go de pafOthahs do:Lovahs lingah, ladies laff;Mebbe youDo' mean all the things you say,An' pu'haps some latah dayW'en I baig you ha'd, you mayTreat me nice!
Treat me nice, Miss Mandy Jane,Treat me nice.Dough my love has tu'ned my brain,Treat me nice.I ain't done a t'ing to shame,Lovahs all ac's jes' de same;Don't you know we ain't to blame?Treat me nice!
Treat me nice, Miss Mandy Jane,
Treat me nice.
Dough my love has tu'ned my brain,
Treat me nice.
I ain't done a t'ing to shame,
Lovahs all ac's jes' de same;
Don't you know we ain't to blame?
Treat me nice!
Cose I know I 's talkin' wild;Treat me nice;I cain't talk no bettah, child,Treat me nice;Whut a pusson gwine to do,Wen he come a-cou'tin' youAll a-trimblin' thoo and thoo?Please be nice.
Cose I know I 's talkin' wild;
Treat me nice;
I cain't talk no bettah, child,
Treat me nice;
Whut a pusson gwine to do,
Wen he come a-cou'tin' you
All a-trimblin' thoo and thoo?
Please be nice.
Reckon I mus' go de pafOthahs do:Lovahs lingah, ladies laff;Mebbe youDo' mean all the things you say,An' pu'haps some latah dayW'en I baig you ha'd, you mayTreat me nice!
Reckon I mus' go de paf
Othahs do:
Lovahs lingah, ladies laff;
Mebbe you
Do' mean all the things you say,
An' pu'haps some latah day
W'en I baig you ha'd, you may
Treat me nice!
THE DOVEOut of the sunshine and out of the heat,Out of the dust of the grimy street,A song fluttered down in the form of a dove,And it bore me a message, the one word—Love!Ah, I was toiling, and oh, I was sad:I had forgotten the way to be glad.Now, smiles for my sadness and for my toil, restSince the dove fluttered down to its home in my breast!
Out of the sunshine and out of the heat,Out of the dust of the grimy street,A song fluttered down in the form of a dove,And it bore me a message, the one word—Love!
Out of the sunshine and out of the heat,
Out of the dust of the grimy street,
A song fluttered down in the form of a dove,
And it bore me a message, the one word—Love!
Ah, I was toiling, and oh, I was sad:I had forgotten the way to be glad.Now, smiles for my sadness and for my toil, restSince the dove fluttered down to its home in my breast!
Ah, I was toiling, and oh, I was sad:
I had forgotten the way to be glad.
Now, smiles for my sadness and for my toil, rest
Since the dove fluttered down to its home in my breast!
A WARM DAY IN WINTER"Sunshine on de medders,Greenness on de way;Dat 's de blessed reasonI sing all de day."Look hyeah! Whut you axin'?Whut meks me so merry?'Spect to see me sighin'W'en hit's wa'm in Febawary?'Long de stake an' riderSeen a robin set;W'y hit 'mence a-thawin',Groun' is monst'ous wet.Den you stan' dah wond'rin',Lookin' skeert an' stary;I's a right to caperW'en hit's wa'm in Febawary.Missis gone a-drivin',Mastah gone to shoot;Ev'ry da'ky lazin'In de sun to boot.Qua'tah 's moughty pleasant,Hangin' 'roun' my Mary;Cou'tin' boun' to prospahW'en hit's wa'm in Febawary.Cidah look so pu'tyPo'in' f'om de jug—Don' you see it's happy?Hyeah it laffin'—glug?Now's de time fu' peopleFu' to try an' buryAll dey grief an' sorrer,W'en hit's wa'm in Febawary.
"Sunshine on de medders,Greenness on de way;Dat 's de blessed reasonI sing all de day."Look hyeah! Whut you axin'?Whut meks me so merry?'Spect to see me sighin'W'en hit's wa'm in Febawary?
"Sunshine on de medders,
Greenness on de way;
Dat 's de blessed reason
I sing all de day."
Look hyeah! Whut you axin'?
Whut meks me so merry?
'Spect to see me sighin'
W'en hit's wa'm in Febawary?
'Long de stake an' riderSeen a robin set;W'y hit 'mence a-thawin',Groun' is monst'ous wet.Den you stan' dah wond'rin',Lookin' skeert an' stary;I's a right to caperW'en hit's wa'm in Febawary.
'Long de stake an' rider
Seen a robin set;
W'y hit 'mence a-thawin',
Groun' is monst'ous wet.
Den you stan' dah wond'rin',
Lookin' skeert an' stary;
I's a right to caper
W'en hit's wa'm in Febawary.
Missis gone a-drivin',Mastah gone to shoot;Ev'ry da'ky lazin'In de sun to boot.Qua'tah 's moughty pleasant,Hangin' 'roun' my Mary;Cou'tin' boun' to prospahW'en hit's wa'm in Febawary.
Missis gone a-drivin',
Mastah gone to shoot;
Ev'ry da'ky lazin'
In de sun to boot.
Qua'tah 's moughty pleasant,
Hangin' 'roun' my Mary;
Cou'tin' boun' to prospah
W'en hit's wa'm in Febawary.
Cidah look so pu'tyPo'in' f'om de jug—Don' you see it's happy?Hyeah it laffin'—glug?Now's de time fu' peopleFu' to try an' buryAll dey grief an' sorrer,W'en hit's wa'm in Febawary.
Cidah look so pu'ty
Po'in' f'om de jug—
Don' you see it's happy?
Hyeah it laffin'—glug?
Now's de time fu' people
Fu' to try an' bury
All dey grief an' sorrer,
W'en hit's wa'm in Febawary.
SNOWIN'Dey is snow upon de meddahs, dey is snow upon de hill,An' de little branch's watahs is all glistenin' an' still;De win' goes roun' de cabin lak a sperrit wan'erin' 'roun'.An' de chillen shakes an' shivahs as dey listen to de soun'.Dey is hick'ry in de fiahplace, whah de blaze is risin' high,But de heat it meks ain't wa'min' up de gray clouds in de sky.Now an' den I des peep outside, den I hurries to de do',Lawd a mussy on my body, how I wish it would n't snow!I kin stan' de hottes' summah, I kin stan' de wettes' fall,I kin stan' de chilly springtime in de ploughland, but dat's all;Fu' de ve'y hottes' fiah nevah tells my skin a t'ing,W'en de snow commence a-flyin', an' de win' begin to sing.Dey is plenty wood erroun' us, an' I chop an' tote it in,But de t'oughts dat I 's a t'inkin' while I 's wo'kin' is a sin.I kin keep f'om downright swahin' all de time I 's on de go,But my hea't is full o' cuss-wo'ds w'en I's trampin' thoo de snow.What you say, you Lishy Davis, dat you see a possum's tracks?Look hyeah, boy, you stop yo' foolin', bring ol' Spot, an' bring de ax.Is I col'? Go way, now, Mandy, what you t'ink I's made of?—sho,W'y dis win' is des ez gentle, an' dis ain't no kin' o' snow.Dis hyeah weathah 's des ez healthy ez de wa'mest summah days.All you chillen step up lively, pile on wood an' keep a blaze.What's de use o' gittin' skeery case dey 's snow upon de groun'?Huh-uh, I 's a reg'lar snowbird ef dey 's any possum 'roun'.Go on, Spot, don' be so foolish; don' you see de signs o' feet.What you howlin' fu? Keep still, suh, cose de col' is putty sweet;But we goin' out on bus'ness, an' hit 's bus'ness o' de kin'Dat mus' put a dog an' dahky in a happy frame o' min'.Yes, you 's col'; I know it, Spotty, but you des stay close to me,An' I 'll mek you hot ez cotton w'en we strikes de happy tree.No, I don' lak wintah weathah, an' I 'd wush 't uz allus June,Ef it was n't fu' de trackin' o' de possum an' de coon.
Dey is snow upon de meddahs, dey is snow upon de hill,An' de little branch's watahs is all glistenin' an' still;De win' goes roun' de cabin lak a sperrit wan'erin' 'roun'.An' de chillen shakes an' shivahs as dey listen to de soun'.Dey is hick'ry in de fiahplace, whah de blaze is risin' high,But de heat it meks ain't wa'min' up de gray clouds in de sky.Now an' den I des peep outside, den I hurries to de do',Lawd a mussy on my body, how I wish it would n't snow!
Dey is snow upon de meddahs, dey is snow upon de hill,
An' de little branch's watahs is all glistenin' an' still;
De win' goes roun' de cabin lak a sperrit wan'erin' 'roun'.
An' de chillen shakes an' shivahs as dey listen to de soun'.
Dey is hick'ry in de fiahplace, whah de blaze is risin' high,
But de heat it meks ain't wa'min' up de gray clouds in de sky.
Now an' den I des peep outside, den I hurries to de do',
Lawd a mussy on my body, how I wish it would n't snow!
I kin stan' de hottes' summah, I kin stan' de wettes' fall,I kin stan' de chilly springtime in de ploughland, but dat's all;Fu' de ve'y hottes' fiah nevah tells my skin a t'ing,W'en de snow commence a-flyin', an' de win' begin to sing.Dey is plenty wood erroun' us, an' I chop an' tote it in,But de t'oughts dat I 's a t'inkin' while I 's wo'kin' is a sin.I kin keep f'om downright swahin' all de time I 's on de go,But my hea't is full o' cuss-wo'ds w'en I's trampin' thoo de snow.
I kin stan' de hottes' summah, I kin stan' de wettes' fall,
I kin stan' de chilly springtime in de ploughland, but dat's all;
Fu' de ve'y hottes' fiah nevah tells my skin a t'ing,
W'en de snow commence a-flyin', an' de win' begin to sing.
Dey is plenty wood erroun' us, an' I chop an' tote it in,
But de t'oughts dat I 's a t'inkin' while I 's wo'kin' is a sin.
I kin keep f'om downright swahin' all de time I 's on de go,
But my hea't is full o' cuss-wo'ds w'en I's trampin' thoo de snow.
What you say, you Lishy Davis, dat you see a possum's tracks?Look hyeah, boy, you stop yo' foolin', bring ol' Spot, an' bring de ax.Is I col'? Go way, now, Mandy, what you t'ink I's made of?—sho,W'y dis win' is des ez gentle, an' dis ain't no kin' o' snow.Dis hyeah weathah 's des ez healthy ez de wa'mest summah days.All you chillen step up lively, pile on wood an' keep a blaze.What's de use o' gittin' skeery case dey 's snow upon de groun'?Huh-uh, I 's a reg'lar snowbird ef dey 's any possum 'roun'.
What you say, you Lishy Davis, dat you see a possum's tracks?
Look hyeah, boy, you stop yo' foolin', bring ol' Spot, an' bring de ax.
Is I col'? Go way, now, Mandy, what you t'ink I's made of?—sho,
W'y dis win' is des ez gentle, an' dis ain't no kin' o' snow.
Dis hyeah weathah 's des ez healthy ez de wa'mest summah days.
All you chillen step up lively, pile on wood an' keep a blaze.
What's de use o' gittin' skeery case dey 's snow upon de groun'?
Huh-uh, I 's a reg'lar snowbird ef dey 's any possum 'roun'.
Go on, Spot, don' be so foolish; don' you see de signs o' feet.What you howlin' fu? Keep still, suh, cose de col' is putty sweet;But we goin' out on bus'ness, an' hit 's bus'ness o' de kin'Dat mus' put a dog an' dahky in a happy frame o' min'.Yes, you 's col'; I know it, Spotty, but you des stay close to me,An' I 'll mek you hot ez cotton w'en we strikes de happy tree.No, I don' lak wintah weathah, an' I 'd wush 't uz allus June,Ef it was n't fu' de trackin' o' de possum an' de coon.
Go on, Spot, don' be so foolish; don' you see de signs o' feet.
What you howlin' fu? Keep still, suh, cose de col' is putty sweet;
But we goin' out on bus'ness, an' hit 's bus'ness o' de kin'
Dat mus' put a dog an' dahky in a happy frame o' min'.
Yes, you 's col'; I know it, Spotty, but you des stay close to me,
An' I 'll mek you hot ez cotton w'en we strikes de happy tree.
No, I don' lak wintah weathah, an' I 'd wush 't uz allus June,
Ef it was n't fu' de trackin' o' de possum an' de coon.
KEEP A SONG UP ON DE WAYOh, de clouds is mighty heavyAn' de rain is mighty thick;Keep a song up on de way.An' de waters is a rumblin'On de boulders in de crick,Keep a song up on de way.Fu' a bird ercross de roadIs a-singin' lak he knowedDat we people did n't daihFu' to try de rainy aihWid a song up on de way.What's de use o' gittin' mopy,Case de weather ain' de bes'!Keep a song up on de way.W'en de rain is fallin' ha'des',Dey 's de longes' times to res'Keep a song up on de way.Dough de plough 's a-stan'in' stillDey 'll be watah fu' de mill,Rain mus' come ez well ez sun'Fo' de weathah's wo'k is done,Keep a song up on de way.W'y hit's nice to hyeah de showahsFallin' down ermong de trees:Keep a song up on de way.Ef de birds don' bothah 'bout it,But go singin' lak dey please,Keep a song up on de way.You don' s'pose I's gwine to seeDem ah fowls do mo' dan me?No, suh, I 'll des chase dis frown,An' aldough de rain fall down,Keep a song up on de way.
Oh, de clouds is mighty heavyAn' de rain is mighty thick;Keep a song up on de way.An' de waters is a rumblin'On de boulders in de crick,Keep a song up on de way.Fu' a bird ercross de roadIs a-singin' lak he knowedDat we people did n't daihFu' to try de rainy aihWid a song up on de way.
Oh, de clouds is mighty heavy
An' de rain is mighty thick;
Keep a song up on de way.
An' de waters is a rumblin'
On de boulders in de crick,
Keep a song up on de way.
Fu' a bird ercross de road
Is a-singin' lak he knowed
Dat we people did n't daih
Fu' to try de rainy aih
Wid a song up on de way.
What's de use o' gittin' mopy,Case de weather ain' de bes'!Keep a song up on de way.W'en de rain is fallin' ha'des',Dey 's de longes' times to res'Keep a song up on de way.Dough de plough 's a-stan'in' stillDey 'll be watah fu' de mill,Rain mus' come ez well ez sun'Fo' de weathah's wo'k is done,Keep a song up on de way.
What's de use o' gittin' mopy,
Case de weather ain' de bes'!
Keep a song up on de way.
W'en de rain is fallin' ha'des',
Dey 's de longes' times to res'
Keep a song up on de way.
Dough de plough 's a-stan'in' still
Dey 'll be watah fu' de mill,
Rain mus' come ez well ez sun
'Fo' de weathah's wo'k is done,
Keep a song up on de way.
W'y hit's nice to hyeah de showahsFallin' down ermong de trees:Keep a song up on de way.Ef de birds don' bothah 'bout it,But go singin' lak dey please,Keep a song up on de way.You don' s'pose I's gwine to seeDem ah fowls do mo' dan me?No, suh, I 'll des chase dis frown,An' aldough de rain fall down,Keep a song up on de way.
W'y hit's nice to hyeah de showahs
Fallin' down ermong de trees:
Keep a song up on de way.
Ef de birds don' bothah 'bout it,
But go singin' lak dey please,
Keep a song up on de way.
You don' s'pose I's gwine to see
Dem ah fowls do mo' dan me?
No, suh, I 'll des chase dis frown,
An' aldough de rain fall down,
Keep a song up on de way.
THE TURNING OF THE BABIES IN THE BEDWoman's sho' a cur'ous critter, an' dey ain't no doubtin' dat.She's a mess o' funny capahs f'om huh slippahs to huh hat.Ef you tries to un'erstan' huh, an' you fails, des' up an' say:"D' ain't a bit o' use to try to un'erstan' a woman's way."I don' mean to be complainin', but I 's jes' a-settin' downSome o' my own obserwations, w'en I cas' my eye eroun'.Ef you ax me fu' to prove it, I ken do it mighty fine,Fu' dey ain't no bettah 'zample den dis ve'y wife o' mine.In de ve'y hea't o' midnight, w'en I 's sleepin' good an' soun',I kin hyeah a so't o' rustlin' an' somebody movin' 'roun'.An' I say, "Lize, whut you doin'?" But she frown an' shek huh haid,"Heish yo' mouf, I's only tu'nin' of de chillun in de bed."Don' you know a chile gits restless, layin' all de night one way?An' you' got to kind o' 'range him sev'al times befo' de day?So de little necks won't worry, an' de little backs won't break;Don' you t'ink case chillun 's chillun dey hain't got no pain an' ache."So she shakes 'em, an' she twists 'em, an' she tu'ns 'em 'roun' erbout,'Twell I don' see how de chillun evah keeps f'om hollahin' out.Den she lif's 'em up head down'ards, so's dey won't git livahgrown,But dey snoozes des' ez peaceful ez a liza'd on a stone.W'en hit's mos' nigh time fu' wakin' on de dawn o' jedgment day,Seems lak I kin hyeah ol' Gab'iel lay his trumpet down an' say,"Who dat walkin' 'roun' so easy, down on earf ermong de dead?"—'T will be Lizy up a-tu'nin' of de chillun in de bed.
Woman's sho' a cur'ous critter, an' dey ain't no doubtin' dat.She's a mess o' funny capahs f'om huh slippahs to huh hat.Ef you tries to un'erstan' huh, an' you fails, des' up an' say:"D' ain't a bit o' use to try to un'erstan' a woman's way."
Woman's sho' a cur'ous critter, an' dey ain't no doubtin' dat.
She's a mess o' funny capahs f'om huh slippahs to huh hat.
Ef you tries to un'erstan' huh, an' you fails, des' up an' say:
"D' ain't a bit o' use to try to un'erstan' a woman's way."
I don' mean to be complainin', but I 's jes' a-settin' downSome o' my own obserwations, w'en I cas' my eye eroun'.Ef you ax me fu' to prove it, I ken do it mighty fine,Fu' dey ain't no bettah 'zample den dis ve'y wife o' mine.
I don' mean to be complainin', but I 's jes' a-settin' down
Some o' my own obserwations, w'en I cas' my eye eroun'.
Ef you ax me fu' to prove it, I ken do it mighty fine,
Fu' dey ain't no bettah 'zample den dis ve'y wife o' mine.
In de ve'y hea't o' midnight, w'en I 's sleepin' good an' soun',I kin hyeah a so't o' rustlin' an' somebody movin' 'roun'.An' I say, "Lize, whut you doin'?" But she frown an' shek huh haid,"Heish yo' mouf, I's only tu'nin' of de chillun in de bed.
In de ve'y hea't o' midnight, w'en I 's sleepin' good an' soun',
I kin hyeah a so't o' rustlin' an' somebody movin' 'roun'.
An' I say, "Lize, whut you doin'?" But she frown an' shek huh haid,
"Heish yo' mouf, I's only tu'nin' of de chillun in de bed.
"Don' you know a chile gits restless, layin' all de night one way?An' you' got to kind o' 'range him sev'al times befo' de day?So de little necks won't worry, an' de little backs won't break;Don' you t'ink case chillun 's chillun dey hain't got no pain an' ache."
"Don' you know a chile gits restless, layin' all de night one way?
An' you' got to kind o' 'range him sev'al times befo' de day?
So de little necks won't worry, an' de little backs won't break;
Don' you t'ink case chillun 's chillun dey hain't got no pain an' ache."
So she shakes 'em, an' she twists 'em, an' she tu'ns 'em 'roun' erbout,'Twell I don' see how de chillun evah keeps f'om hollahin' out.Den she lif's 'em up head down'ards, so's dey won't git livahgrown,But dey snoozes des' ez peaceful ez a liza'd on a stone.
So she shakes 'em, an' she twists 'em, an' she tu'ns 'em 'roun' erbout,
'Twell I don' see how de chillun evah keeps f'om hollahin' out.
Den she lif's 'em up head down'ards, so's dey won't git livahgrown,
But dey snoozes des' ez peaceful ez a liza'd on a stone.
W'en hit's mos' nigh time fu' wakin' on de dawn o' jedgment day,Seems lak I kin hyeah ol' Gab'iel lay his trumpet down an' say,"Who dat walkin' 'roun' so easy, down on earf ermong de dead?"—'T will be Lizy up a-tu'nin' of de chillun in de bed.
W'en hit's mos' nigh time fu' wakin' on de dawn o' jedgment day,
Seems lak I kin hyeah ol' Gab'iel lay his trumpet down an' say,
"Who dat walkin' 'roun' so easy, down on earf ermong de dead?"—
'T will be Lizy up a-tu'nin' of de chillun in de bed.
THE DANCEHeel and toe, heel and toe,That is the song we sing;Turn to your partner and curtsey low,Balance and forward and swing.Corners are draughty and meadows are white,This is the game for a winter's night.Hands around, hands around,Trip it, and not too slow;Clear is the fiddle and sweet its sound,Keep the girls' cheeks aglow.Still let your movements be dainty and light,This is the game for a winter's night.Back to back, back to back,Turn to your place again;Never let lightness nor nimbleness lack,Either in maidens or men.Time hasteth ever, beware of its flight,Oh, what a game for a winter's night!Slower now, slower now,Softer the music sighs;Look, there are beads on your partner's browThough there be light in her eyes.Lead her away and her grace requite,So goes the game on a winter's night.
Heel and toe, heel and toe,That is the song we sing;Turn to your partner and curtsey low,Balance and forward and swing.Corners are draughty and meadows are white,This is the game for a winter's night.
Heel and toe, heel and toe,
That is the song we sing;
Turn to your partner and curtsey low,
Balance and forward and swing.
Corners are draughty and meadows are white,
This is the game for a winter's night.
Hands around, hands around,Trip it, and not too slow;Clear is the fiddle and sweet its sound,Keep the girls' cheeks aglow.Still let your movements be dainty and light,This is the game for a winter's night.
Hands around, hands around,
Trip it, and not too slow;
Clear is the fiddle and sweet its sound,
Keep the girls' cheeks aglow.
Still let your movements be dainty and light,
This is the game for a winter's night.
Back to back, back to back,Turn to your place again;Never let lightness nor nimbleness lack,Either in maidens or men.Time hasteth ever, beware of its flight,Oh, what a game for a winter's night!
Back to back, back to back,
Turn to your place again;
Never let lightness nor nimbleness lack,
Either in maidens or men.
Time hasteth ever, beware of its flight,
Oh, what a game for a winter's night!
Slower now, slower now,Softer the music sighs;Look, there are beads on your partner's browThough there be light in her eyes.Lead her away and her grace requite,So goes the game on a winter's night.
Slower now, slower now,
Softer the music sighs;
Look, there are beads on your partner's brow
Though there be light in her eyes.
Lead her away and her grace requite,
So goes the game on a winter's night.
SOLILOQUY OF A TURKEYDey 's a so't o' threatenin' feelin' in de blowin' of de breeze,An' I 's feelin' kin' o' squeamish in de night;I 's a-walkin' 'roun' a-lookin' at de diffunt style o' trees,An' a-measurin' dey thickness an' dey height.Fu' dey 's somep'n mighty 'spicious in de looks de da'kies give,Ez dey pass me an' my fambly on de groun,'So it 'curs to me dat lakly, ef I caihs to try an' live,It concehns me fu' to 'mence to look erroun'.Dey's a cu'ious kin' o' shivah runnin' up an' down my back,An' I feel my feddahs rufflin' all de day,An' my laigs commence to trimble evah blessid step I mek;W'en I sees a ax, I tu'ns my head away.Folks is go'gin' me wid goodies, an' dey 's treatin' me wid caih,An' I 's fat in spite of all dat I kin do.I 's mistrus'ful of de kin'ness dat's erroun' me evahwhaih,Fu' it 's jes' too good, an' frequent, to be true.Snow 's a-fallin' on de medders, all erroun' me now is white,But I 's still kep' on a-roostin' on de fence;Isham comes an' feels my breas'bone, an' he hefted me las' night,An' he 's gone erroun' a-grinnin' evah sence.'T ain't de snow dat meks me shivah; 't ain't de col' dat meks me shake;'T ain't de wintah-time itse'f dat's 'fectin' me;But I t'ink de time is comin', an' I 'd bettah mek a break,Fu' to set wid Mistah Possum in his tree.Wen you hyeah de da'kies singin', an' de quahtahs all is gay,'T ain't de time fu' birds lak me to be 'erroun';Wen de hick'ry chip is flyin', an' de log 's been ca'ied erway,Den hit's dang'ous to be roostin' nigh he groun'.Grin on, Isham! Sing on, da'kies! But I flop my wings an' goFu' de sheltah of de ve'y highest tree,Fu' dey 's too much close ertention—an' dey's too much fallin' snow—An' it's too nigh Chris'mus mo'nin' now fu' me.
Dey 's a so't o' threatenin' feelin' in de blowin' of de breeze,An' I 's feelin' kin' o' squeamish in de night;I 's a-walkin' 'roun' a-lookin' at de diffunt style o' trees,An' a-measurin' dey thickness an' dey height.Fu' dey 's somep'n mighty 'spicious in de looks de da'kies give,Ez dey pass me an' my fambly on de groun,'So it 'curs to me dat lakly, ef I caihs to try an' live,It concehns me fu' to 'mence to look erroun'.
Dey 's a so't o' threatenin' feelin' in de blowin' of de breeze,
An' I 's feelin' kin' o' squeamish in de night;
I 's a-walkin' 'roun' a-lookin' at de diffunt style o' trees,
An' a-measurin' dey thickness an' dey height.
Fu' dey 's somep'n mighty 'spicious in de looks de da'kies give,
Ez dey pass me an' my fambly on de groun,'
So it 'curs to me dat lakly, ef I caihs to try an' live,
It concehns me fu' to 'mence to look erroun'.
Dey's a cu'ious kin' o' shivah runnin' up an' down my back,An' I feel my feddahs rufflin' all de day,An' my laigs commence to trimble evah blessid step I mek;W'en I sees a ax, I tu'ns my head away.Folks is go'gin' me wid goodies, an' dey 's treatin' me wid caih,An' I 's fat in spite of all dat I kin do.I 's mistrus'ful of de kin'ness dat's erroun' me evahwhaih,Fu' it 's jes' too good, an' frequent, to be true.
Dey's a cu'ious kin' o' shivah runnin' up an' down my back,
An' I feel my feddahs rufflin' all de day,
An' my laigs commence to trimble evah blessid step I mek;
W'en I sees a ax, I tu'ns my head away.
Folks is go'gin' me wid goodies, an' dey 's treatin' me wid caih,
An' I 's fat in spite of all dat I kin do.
I 's mistrus'ful of de kin'ness dat's erroun' me evahwhaih,
Fu' it 's jes' too good, an' frequent, to be true.
Snow 's a-fallin' on de medders, all erroun' me now is white,But I 's still kep' on a-roostin' on de fence;Isham comes an' feels my breas'bone, an' he hefted me las' night,An' he 's gone erroun' a-grinnin' evah sence.'T ain't de snow dat meks me shivah; 't ain't de col' dat meks me shake;'T ain't de wintah-time itse'f dat's 'fectin' me;But I t'ink de time is comin', an' I 'd bettah mek a break,Fu' to set wid Mistah Possum in his tree.
Snow 's a-fallin' on de medders, all erroun' me now is white,
But I 's still kep' on a-roostin' on de fence;
Isham comes an' feels my breas'bone, an' he hefted me las' night,
An' he 's gone erroun' a-grinnin' evah sence.
'T ain't de snow dat meks me shivah; 't ain't de col' dat meks me shake;
'T ain't de wintah-time itse'f dat's 'fectin' me;
But I t'ink de time is comin', an' I 'd bettah mek a break,
Fu' to set wid Mistah Possum in his tree.
Wen you hyeah de da'kies singin', an' de quahtahs all is gay,'T ain't de time fu' birds lak me to be 'erroun';Wen de hick'ry chip is flyin', an' de log 's been ca'ied erway,Den hit's dang'ous to be roostin' nigh he groun'.
Wen you hyeah de da'kies singin', an' de quahtahs all is gay,
'T ain't de time fu' birds lak me to be 'erroun';
Wen de hick'ry chip is flyin', an' de log 's been ca'ied erway,
Den hit's dang'ous to be roostin' nigh he groun'.
Grin on, Isham! Sing on, da'kies! But I flop my wings an' goFu' de sheltah of de ve'y highest tree,Fu' dey 's too much close ertention—an' dey's too much fallin' snow—An' it's too nigh Chris'mus mo'nin' now fu' me.
Grin on, Isham! Sing on, da'kies! But I flop my wings an' go
Fu' de sheltah of de ve'y highest tree,
Fu' dey 's too much close ertention—an' dey's too much fallin' snow—
An' it's too nigh Chris'mus mo'nin' now fu' me.
FISHINGWen I git up in de mo'nin' an' de clouds is big an' black,Dey's a kin' o' wa'nin' shivah goes a-scootin' down my back;Den I says to my ol' ooman ez I watches down de lane,"Don't you so't o' reckon, Lizy, dat we gwine to have some rain?""Go on, man," my Lizy answah, "you cain't fool me, not a bit,I don't see no rain a-comin', ef you's wishin' fu' it, quit;Case de mo' you t'ink erbout it, an de mo' you pray an' wish,W'y de rain stay 'way de longah, spechul ef you wants to fish."But I see huh pat de skillet, an' I see huh cas' huh eyeWid a kin' o' anxious motion to'ds de da'kness in de sky;An' I knows whut she 's a-t'inkin', dough she tries so ha'd to hide.She 's a-sayin', "Would n't catfish now tas'e monst'ous bully, fried?"Den de clouds git black an' blackah, an' de thundah 'mence to roll,An' de rain, it 'mence a-fallin'. Oh, I's happy, bless my soul!Ez I look at dat ol' skillet, an' I 'magine I kin seeJes' a slew o' new-ketched catfish sizzlin' daih fu' huh an' me.'T ain't no use to go a-ploughin', fu' de groun' 'll be too wet,So I puts out fu' de big house at a moughty pace, you bet,An' ol' mastah say, "Well, Lishy, ef you t'ink hit 's gwine to rain,Go on fishin', hit 's de weathah, an' I 'low we cain't complain."Talk erbout a dahky walkin' wid his haid up in de aih!Have to feel mine evah minute to be sho' I got it daih;En' de win' is cuttin' capahs an' a-lashin' thoo de trees,But de rain keeps on a-singin' blessed songs, lak "Tek yo' ease."Wid my pole erpon my shouldah an' my wo'm can in my han',I kin feel de fish a-waitin' w'en I strikes de rivah's san';Nevah min', you ho'ny scoun'els, need n' swim erroun' an' grin,I 'll be grinnin' in a minute w'en I 'mence to haul you in.W'en de fish begin to nibble, an' de co'k begin to jump,I 's erfeahed dat dey 'll quit bitin', case dey hyeah my hea't go "thump,"'Twell de co'k go way down undah, an' I raise a awful shout,Ez a big ol' yallah belly comes a gallivantin' out.Need n't wriggle, Mistah Catfish, case I got you jes' de same,You been eatin', I 'll be eatin', an' we needah ain't to blame.But you need n't feel so lonesome fu' I 's th'owin' out to seeEf dey ain't some of yo' comrades fu' to keep you company.Spo't, dis fishin'! now you talkin', w'y dey ain't no kin' to beat;I don' keer ef I is soakin', laigs, an' back, an' naik, an' feet,It 's de spo't I 's lookin' aftah. Hit 's de pleasure an' de fun,Dough I knows dat Lizy 's waitin' wid de skillet w'en I's done.
Wen I git up in de mo'nin' an' de clouds is big an' black,Dey's a kin' o' wa'nin' shivah goes a-scootin' down my back;Den I says to my ol' ooman ez I watches down de lane,"Don't you so't o' reckon, Lizy, dat we gwine to have some rain?"
Wen I git up in de mo'nin' an' de clouds is big an' black,
Dey's a kin' o' wa'nin' shivah goes a-scootin' down my back;
Den I says to my ol' ooman ez I watches down de lane,
"Don't you so't o' reckon, Lizy, dat we gwine to have some rain?"
"Go on, man," my Lizy answah, "you cain't fool me, not a bit,I don't see no rain a-comin', ef you's wishin' fu' it, quit;Case de mo' you t'ink erbout it, an de mo' you pray an' wish,W'y de rain stay 'way de longah, spechul ef you wants to fish."
"Go on, man," my Lizy answah, "you cain't fool me, not a bit,
I don't see no rain a-comin', ef you's wishin' fu' it, quit;
Case de mo' you t'ink erbout it, an de mo' you pray an' wish,
W'y de rain stay 'way de longah, spechul ef you wants to fish."
But I see huh pat de skillet, an' I see huh cas' huh eyeWid a kin' o' anxious motion to'ds de da'kness in de sky;An' I knows whut she 's a-t'inkin', dough she tries so ha'd to hide.She 's a-sayin', "Would n't catfish now tas'e monst'ous bully, fried?"
But I see huh pat de skillet, an' I see huh cas' huh eye
Wid a kin' o' anxious motion to'ds de da'kness in de sky;
An' I knows whut she 's a-t'inkin', dough she tries so ha'd to hide.
She 's a-sayin', "Would n't catfish now tas'e monst'ous bully, fried?"
Den de clouds git black an' blackah, an' de thundah 'mence to roll,An' de rain, it 'mence a-fallin'. Oh, I's happy, bless my soul!Ez I look at dat ol' skillet, an' I 'magine I kin seeJes' a slew o' new-ketched catfish sizzlin' daih fu' huh an' me.
Den de clouds git black an' blackah, an' de thundah 'mence to roll,
An' de rain, it 'mence a-fallin'. Oh, I's happy, bless my soul!
Ez I look at dat ol' skillet, an' I 'magine I kin see
Jes' a slew o' new-ketched catfish sizzlin' daih fu' huh an' me.
'T ain't no use to go a-ploughin', fu' de groun' 'll be too wet,So I puts out fu' de big house at a moughty pace, you bet,An' ol' mastah say, "Well, Lishy, ef you t'ink hit 's gwine to rain,Go on fishin', hit 's de weathah, an' I 'low we cain't complain."
'T ain't no use to go a-ploughin', fu' de groun' 'll be too wet,
So I puts out fu' de big house at a moughty pace, you bet,
An' ol' mastah say, "Well, Lishy, ef you t'ink hit 's gwine to rain,
Go on fishin', hit 's de weathah, an' I 'low we cain't complain."
Talk erbout a dahky walkin' wid his haid up in de aih!Have to feel mine evah minute to be sho' I got it daih;En' de win' is cuttin' capahs an' a-lashin' thoo de trees,But de rain keeps on a-singin' blessed songs, lak "Tek yo' ease."
Talk erbout a dahky walkin' wid his haid up in de aih!
Have to feel mine evah minute to be sho' I got it daih;
En' de win' is cuttin' capahs an' a-lashin' thoo de trees,
But de rain keeps on a-singin' blessed songs, lak "Tek yo' ease."
Wid my pole erpon my shouldah an' my wo'm can in my han',I kin feel de fish a-waitin' w'en I strikes de rivah's san';Nevah min', you ho'ny scoun'els, need n' swim erroun' an' grin,I 'll be grinnin' in a minute w'en I 'mence to haul you in.
Wid my pole erpon my shouldah an' my wo'm can in my han',
I kin feel de fish a-waitin' w'en I strikes de rivah's san';
Nevah min', you ho'ny scoun'els, need n' swim erroun' an' grin,
I 'll be grinnin' in a minute w'en I 'mence to haul you in.
W'en de fish begin to nibble, an' de co'k begin to jump,I 's erfeahed dat dey 'll quit bitin', case dey hyeah my hea't go "thump,"'Twell de co'k go way down undah, an' I raise a awful shout,Ez a big ol' yallah belly comes a gallivantin' out.
W'en de fish begin to nibble, an' de co'k begin to jump,
I 's erfeahed dat dey 'll quit bitin', case dey hyeah my hea't go "thump,"
'Twell de co'k go way down undah, an' I raise a awful shout,
Ez a big ol' yallah belly comes a gallivantin' out.
Need n't wriggle, Mistah Catfish, case I got you jes' de same,You been eatin', I 'll be eatin', an' we needah ain't to blame.But you need n't feel so lonesome fu' I 's th'owin' out to seeEf dey ain't some of yo' comrades fu' to keep you company.
Need n't wriggle, Mistah Catfish, case I got you jes' de same,
You been eatin', I 'll be eatin', an' we needah ain't to blame.
But you need n't feel so lonesome fu' I 's th'owin' out to see
Ef dey ain't some of yo' comrades fu' to keep you company.
Spo't, dis fishin'! now you talkin', w'y dey ain't no kin' to beat;I don' keer ef I is soakin', laigs, an' back, an' naik, an' feet,It 's de spo't I 's lookin' aftah. Hit 's de pleasure an' de fun,Dough I knows dat Lizy 's waitin' wid de skillet w'en I's done.
Spo't, dis fishin'! now you talkin', w'y dey ain't no kin' to beat;
I don' keer ef I is soakin', laigs, an' back, an' naik, an' feet,
It 's de spo't I 's lookin' aftah. Hit 's de pleasure an' de fun,
Dough I knows dat Lizy 's waitin' wid de skillet w'en I's done.
A PLANTATION PORTRAITHain't you see my Mandy Lou,Is it true?Whaih you been f'om day to day,Whaih, I say?Dat you say you nevah seenDis hyeah queenWalkin' roun' f'om fiel' to streetSmilin' sweet?Slendah ez a saplin' tree;Seems to meWen de win' blow f'om de bayShe jes' swayLak de reg'lar saplin' doEf hit's grewStraight an' graceful, 'dout a limb,Sweet an' slim.Browner den de frush's wing,An' she singLak he mek his wa'ble ringIn de spring;But she sholy beat de frush,Hyeah me, hush:Wen she sing, huh teef kin showWhite ez snow.Eyes ez big an' roun' an' brightEz de lightWhut de moon gives in de primeHarvest time.An' huh haih a woolly skein,Black an' plain.Hol's you wid a natchul twis'Close to bliss.Tendah han's dat mek yo' ownFeel lak stone;Easy steppin', blessid feet,Small an' sweet.Hain't you seen my Mandy Lou,Is it true?Look at huh befo' she's gone,Den pass on!
Hain't you see my Mandy Lou,Is it true?Whaih you been f'om day to day,Whaih, I say?Dat you say you nevah seenDis hyeah queenWalkin' roun' f'om fiel' to streetSmilin' sweet?
Hain't you see my Mandy Lou,
Is it true?
Whaih you been f'om day to day,
Whaih, I say?
Dat you say you nevah seen
Dis hyeah queen
Walkin' roun' f'om fiel' to street
Smilin' sweet?
Slendah ez a saplin' tree;Seems to meWen de win' blow f'om de bayShe jes' swayLak de reg'lar saplin' doEf hit's grewStraight an' graceful, 'dout a limb,Sweet an' slim.
Slendah ez a saplin' tree;
Seems to me
Wen de win' blow f'om de bay
She jes' sway
Lak de reg'lar saplin' do
Ef hit's grew
Straight an' graceful, 'dout a limb,
Sweet an' slim.
Browner den de frush's wing,An' she singLak he mek his wa'ble ringIn de spring;But she sholy beat de frush,Hyeah me, hush:Wen she sing, huh teef kin showWhite ez snow.
Browner den de frush's wing,
An' she sing
Lak he mek his wa'ble ring
In de spring;
But she sholy beat de frush,
Hyeah me, hush:
Wen she sing, huh teef kin show
White ez snow.
Eyes ez big an' roun' an' brightEz de lightWhut de moon gives in de primeHarvest time.An' huh haih a woolly skein,Black an' plain.Hol's you wid a natchul twis'Close to bliss.
Eyes ez big an' roun' an' bright
Ez de light
Whut de moon gives in de prime
Harvest time.
An' huh haih a woolly skein,
Black an' plain.
Hol's you wid a natchul twis'
Close to bliss.
Tendah han's dat mek yo' ownFeel lak stone;Easy steppin', blessid feet,Small an' sweet.Hain't you seen my Mandy Lou,Is it true?Look at huh befo' she's gone,Den pass on!
Tendah han's dat mek yo' own
Feel lak stone;
Easy steppin', blessid feet,
Small an' sweet.
Hain't you seen my Mandy Lou,
Is it true?
Look at huh befo' she's gone,
Den pass on!
A LITTLE CHRISTMAS BASKETDe win' is hollahin' "Daih you" to de shuttahs an' de fiah,De snow's a-sayin' "Got you" to de groun',Fu' de wintah weathah 's come widout a-askin' ouah desiah,An' he 's laughin' in his sleeve at whut he foun';Fu' dey ain't nobody ready wid dey fuel er dey food,An' de money bag look timid lak, fu' sho',So we want ouah Chrismus sermon, but we 'd lak it ef you couldLeave a little Chrismus basket at de do'.Wha 's de use o' tellin' chillen 'bout a Santy er a Nick,An' de sto'ies dat a body allus tol'?When de harf is gray wid ashes an' you has n't got a stickFu' to warm dem when dey little toes is col'?Wha 's de use o' preachin' 'ligion to a man dat's sta'ved to def,An' a-tellin' him de Mastah will pu'vide?Ef you want to tech his feelin's, save yo' sermons an' yo' bref,Tek a little Chrismus basket by yo' side.'T ain't de time to open Bibles an' to lock yo' cellah do','T ain't de time to talk o' bein' good to men;Ef you want to preach a sermon ez you nevah preached befo',Preach dat sermon wid a shoat er wid er hen;Bein' good is heap sight bettah den a-dallyin' wid sin,An' dey ain't nobody roun' dat knows it mo',But I t'ink dat 'ligion 's sweeter w'en it kind o' mixes inWid a little Chrismus basket at de do'.
De win' is hollahin' "Daih you" to de shuttahs an' de fiah,De snow's a-sayin' "Got you" to de groun',Fu' de wintah weathah 's come widout a-askin' ouah desiah,An' he 's laughin' in his sleeve at whut he foun';Fu' dey ain't nobody ready wid dey fuel er dey food,An' de money bag look timid lak, fu' sho',So we want ouah Chrismus sermon, but we 'd lak it ef you couldLeave a little Chrismus basket at de do'.
De win' is hollahin' "Daih you" to de shuttahs an' de fiah,
De snow's a-sayin' "Got you" to de groun',
Fu' de wintah weathah 's come widout a-askin' ouah desiah,
An' he 's laughin' in his sleeve at whut he foun';
Fu' dey ain't nobody ready wid dey fuel er dey food,
An' de money bag look timid lak, fu' sho',
So we want ouah Chrismus sermon, but we 'd lak it ef you could
Leave a little Chrismus basket at de do'.
Wha 's de use o' tellin' chillen 'bout a Santy er a Nick,An' de sto'ies dat a body allus tol'?When de harf is gray wid ashes an' you has n't got a stickFu' to warm dem when dey little toes is col'?Wha 's de use o' preachin' 'ligion to a man dat's sta'ved to def,An' a-tellin' him de Mastah will pu'vide?Ef you want to tech his feelin's, save yo' sermons an' yo' bref,Tek a little Chrismus basket by yo' side.
Wha 's de use o' tellin' chillen 'bout a Santy er a Nick,
An' de sto'ies dat a body allus tol'?
When de harf is gray wid ashes an' you has n't got a stick
Fu' to warm dem when dey little toes is col'?
Wha 's de use o' preachin' 'ligion to a man dat's sta'ved to def,
An' a-tellin' him de Mastah will pu'vide?
Ef you want to tech his feelin's, save yo' sermons an' yo' bref,
Tek a little Chrismus basket by yo' side.
'T ain't de time to open Bibles an' to lock yo' cellah do','T ain't de time to talk o' bein' good to men;Ef you want to preach a sermon ez you nevah preached befo',Preach dat sermon wid a shoat er wid er hen;Bein' good is heap sight bettah den a-dallyin' wid sin,An' dey ain't nobody roun' dat knows it mo',But I t'ink dat 'ligion 's sweeter w'en it kind o' mixes inWid a little Chrismus basket at de do'.
'T ain't de time to open Bibles an' to lock yo' cellah do',
'T ain't de time to talk o' bein' good to men;
Ef you want to preach a sermon ez you nevah preached befo',
Preach dat sermon wid a shoat er wid er hen;
Bein' good is heap sight bettah den a-dallyin' wid sin,
An' dey ain't nobody roun' dat knows it mo',
But I t'ink dat 'ligion 's sweeter w'en it kind o' mixes in
Wid a little Chrismus basket at de do'.
THE VALSEWhen to sweet music my lady is dancingMy heart to mild frenzy her beauty inspires.Into my face are her brown eyes a-glancing,And swift my whole frame thrills with tremulous fires.Dance, lady, dance, for the moments are fleeting,Pause not to place yon refractory curl;Life is for love and the night is for sweeting;Dreamily, joyously, circle and whirl.Oh, how those viols are throbbing and pleading;A prayer is scarce needed in sound of their strain.Surely and lightly as round you are speeding,You turn to confusion my heart and my brain.Dance, lady, dance to the viol's soft calling,Skip it and trip it as light as the air;Dance, for the moments like rose leaves are falling,Strikes, now, the clock from its place on the stair.Now sinks the melody lower and lower,The weary musicians scarce seeming to play.Ah, love, your steps now are slower and slower,The smile on your face is more sad and less gay.Dance, lady, dance to the brink of our parting,My heart and your step must not fail to be light.Dance! Just a turn—tho' the tear-drop be starting.Ah—now it is done—so—my lady, good-night!
When to sweet music my lady is dancingMy heart to mild frenzy her beauty inspires.Into my face are her brown eyes a-glancing,And swift my whole frame thrills with tremulous fires.Dance, lady, dance, for the moments are fleeting,Pause not to place yon refractory curl;Life is for love and the night is for sweeting;Dreamily, joyously, circle and whirl.
When to sweet music my lady is dancing
My heart to mild frenzy her beauty inspires.
Into my face are her brown eyes a-glancing,
And swift my whole frame thrills with tremulous fires.
Dance, lady, dance, for the moments are fleeting,
Pause not to place yon refractory curl;
Life is for love and the night is for sweeting;
Dreamily, joyously, circle and whirl.
Oh, how those viols are throbbing and pleading;A prayer is scarce needed in sound of their strain.Surely and lightly as round you are speeding,You turn to confusion my heart and my brain.Dance, lady, dance to the viol's soft calling,Skip it and trip it as light as the air;Dance, for the moments like rose leaves are falling,Strikes, now, the clock from its place on the stair.
Oh, how those viols are throbbing and pleading;
A prayer is scarce needed in sound of their strain.
Surely and lightly as round you are speeding,
You turn to confusion my heart and my brain.
Dance, lady, dance to the viol's soft calling,
Skip it and trip it as light as the air;
Dance, for the moments like rose leaves are falling,
Strikes, now, the clock from its place on the stair.
Now sinks the melody lower and lower,The weary musicians scarce seeming to play.Ah, love, your steps now are slower and slower,The smile on your face is more sad and less gay.Dance, lady, dance to the brink of our parting,My heart and your step must not fail to be light.Dance! Just a turn—tho' the tear-drop be starting.Ah—now it is done—so—my lady, good-night!
Now sinks the melody lower and lower,
The weary musicians scarce seeming to play.
Ah, love, your steps now are slower and slower,
The smile on your face is more sad and less gay.
Dance, lady, dance to the brink of our parting,
My heart and your step must not fail to be light.
Dance! Just a turn—tho' the tear-drop be starting.
Ah—now it is done—so—my lady, good-night!
REPONSEWhen Phyllis sighs and from her eyesThe light dies out; my soul repliesWith misery of deep-drawn breath,E'en as it were at war with death.When Phyllis smiles, her glance beguilesMy heart through love-lit woodland aisles,And through the silence high and clear,A wooing warbler's song I hear.But if she frown, despair comes down,I put me on my sack-cloth gown;So frown not, Phyllis, lest I die,But look on me with smile or sigh.
When Phyllis sighs and from her eyesThe light dies out; my soul repliesWith misery of deep-drawn breath,E'en as it were at war with death.
When Phyllis sighs and from her eyes
The light dies out; my soul replies
With misery of deep-drawn breath,
E'en as it were at war with death.
When Phyllis smiles, her glance beguilesMy heart through love-lit woodland aisles,And through the silence high and clear,A wooing warbler's song I hear.
When Phyllis smiles, her glance beguiles
My heart through love-lit woodland aisles,
And through the silence high and clear,
A wooing warbler's song I hear.
But if she frown, despair comes down,I put me on my sack-cloth gown;So frown not, Phyllis, lest I die,But look on me with smile or sigh.
But if she frown, despair comes down,
I put me on my sack-cloth gown;
So frown not, Phyllis, lest I die,
But look on me with smile or sigh.