FOLK tT<!an Cutter p Katie Jjem w ^ THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES FROM THE HEART OF A FOLK A BOOK OF SONGS FROM THE HEART OF A FOLK A BOOK OF SONGS BY WAVERLEY TURNER CARMICHAEL WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY JAMES HOLLY HANFORD BOSTON THE CORNHILL COMPANY COPYRIGHT 1918 BY THE CORNfflLL COMPANY 3> TO fflolhrr 1661522 INTRODUCTION When Waverley Carmichael, as a student in my summer class at Harvard, brought me one day a modest sheaf of his poems, I felt that in him a race had become or at least was becoming articulate. We have had, it is true, sympa thetic portrayals of Negro life and feeling from without; we have had also the poems of Dun- bar, significant of the high capabilities of the Negro as he advances far along the way of civilization and culture. The note which is sounded in this little volume is of another sort. These humble and often imperfect utterances have sprung up spontaneously from the soul of a primitive and untutored folk. The rich emo tion, the individual humor, the simple wisdom, the naive faith which are its birthright, have here for the first time found voice. It is suffi cient to say of Waverley Carmichael that he is a full blooded southern negro, that until last summer he has never been away from his native Alabama, that he has had but the most limited advantages of education, and that he has shared the portion of his race in hardship, poverty, and toil. He does not know why he wrote these poems. It is an amazing thing that he should have done so a freak, we may call it, of the wind of genius, which bloweth where it listeth and singles out one in ten thou sand to find a fitting speech for the dumb thought and feeling of the rest. But we need not base the claim of Carmichael to the attention of the public merely on con- Ivii] siderations of this sort. His work speaks for itself. It is original and sincere. It follows no traditions and suffers no affectation. It is artless, yet it reaches the goal of art. The rhythms, especially of some of the religious pieces, are of a kind which is beyond the reach of effort. He has rightly called them melodies. Occasionally there is, it seems to me, a touch of something higher, as in the haunting refrain of the lyric " Winter is Coming." De yaller leafs are falling fas Fur summer days is been and pas ; The air is blowin mighty cold, Like it done in days of old. But this is rare. Oftenest the characteristic note is humor, or tender melancholy relieved by a philosophy of cheer and courage, and the poetic virtue is that of simple truth. We are reminded of no poet so strongly as of Burns. What Waverley Carmichael may accomplish in the future I do not know. But certainly in this volume he has entitled himself to the gratitude of his own race and to the sympathetic appreciation of all who have its interests and those of true poetry at heart. JAMES HOLLY HANFORD. viii ] CONTENTS FACE Mammy s Baby Scared 3 Taint No Need o Women Worrin 4 I Ain t Turn Sussie Out 6 De Signs o Spring 8 The Old Mill 9 It s All Through Life 10 Eligia, the Bad Boy 11 Scolding Baby Boy 12 The Escort 13 The Night I Went to Church 14 Sleep On Ye Happy Sons 16 The Day of Freedom 17 My Little Cabin Home . 18 The Lover s Spat 19 Snow Hill 21 The Invitation 22 A Word to Ethiopia 23 Booker T. Washington 24 Paul Lawrence Dunbar 25 I Am Ma an Papa Baby 26 The Flower 27 When the Different Churches Meet 28 I Use ter Ores 29 Where Hearts Are Gay 30 Home Instruction 31 The New Year s Resolve 32 Labor On 33 Forget Me Not 34 Annoyance 35 Der Fiddle Is My Comfort 36 The Favorite Diet 37 Good After 111 38 The Prayer of the Faithful 39 A Daily Prayer 40 Keep Me, Jesus, Keep Me 41 Run on Home 42 Sing on to Jesus 43 Seek the Lost 44 " You ll Reap What You Sow " 45 [] CONTENTS FAOt Move On 46 The Departure . . 47 Twas Mother . . 49 The Mother s Farewell to Her Son . 50 Take Me Home .51 The Day of Repentance 52 What Have I Done .53 When the Way Seems Dark .... ... 54 In the Hour of Death 55 Eventide 56 Winter Is Coming 57 The Combat 58 Red, White, and Blue 59 Sing Out for Peace 60 FROM THE HEART OF A FOLK MAMMY S BABY SCARED Hush now, mammy s baby scaid, Don it cry, eat yo bread; Nothin aint goin bother you, Does , it bothers mammy too. Mammy aint goin left it lone Wile de chulen all are gone; Hush, now, don it cry no mo e, Aint goin lay it on de flo . Hush now, finish out yo nap, Wile I make yo luttle cap; Blessid luttle sugar-pie, Hush now, baby, don it cry. Mammy s goin to make its dres , Go to sleep an take yo res ; Hush now, don it cry no mo e, Aint goin lay you on de flo . [3] " TAINT NO NEED O WOMEN WORRIN " Taint no need o women worrin bout dese sorry men, Dey just lack a paper bag w en it s full o win ; Dey will call us sugar-pie an will treat us nice Till dey git us horn wid dem, fur to be dere wife; T ings will go long very well, fur a week er two, Den you ll see em sittin roun frownin atter you; Taint a bit o need o worrin bout dese sorry men, Dey just lack a paper bag w en it s full o win . W en dey walk erlong wid you holdin ter yo arm, Don t you mind em, dats a stunt, dey are full o harm; Dey kin tell de biggest lies mos you ever seen, An kin pet an honey you lack you wus a queen; One caught up wid me las night strutin wid a cane, Rais d is hat an gine a bow, " How d do Mis Lizer Jane "; I didn axe him how he done, dat was a hint to him Dat I pufur d a paper bag w en it s full o win . [4] Tis best to keep yo yes one dem dey ll fool you if dey kin, Den go eroun an make dere brag to all de other men; Dey ll come eroun an talk sweet talk an wont let you res , But let em git you fur a wife dey ll beat you outer bre th Wen you see dat dey aint no good just let em pas on by, C ase sho as you fool long wid dem, dem fools 11 make you cry, Taint no use o women worrin bout dese sorry men, Fur dey just lack a paper bag w en it s full o win . If I eber marry one, he sho s got to work, Fo I ain t goin kill myself w le he sit an shirk; Many women are today almos in dere graves C ase dey work demselves to de th lack dey wus all slaves; Say, w at you t ink of Jaboc Quinn, he is mighty nice An you kno I s promis d him I would be is wife; Let me Stop my crazy talk, I kno I love de men, If dey are lack a paper bag, w en it s full o win . I AINT TURN SUSSIE OUT " Hoi on, what you mean By walkin wid a man? Bet I ll knock you to de groun , An roll you in de san . Wat you look like tryin ter court, I aint yet turn you out; Look out Miss you er mighty fas , Mind what you erbout. " Young man you better go on horn Befo e you make me mad, Cause I ll git ter fightin hyeah, An sayin somethin bad; Dis gal aint ole ernough ter court, No, I aint turn her out; You s mighty high, I likes you nerve, Mine what yo s erbout. " I want it stric ly understood, Dat you can t court my daughter, If I kech you wid hur ergain You ll move off like an auter; Dis Bama Jones you foolin wid, I aint no scrubby nigger, My mammy sho sent me ter school, An I kin read an figger. [6] " Wat you rec on I look like, Lettin setch a thing as you Walk long side a gal o mine An especi lly little Sue? Take dat road an go on horn , Fo e yo* nigger make me mad, Else I ll git to fightin hyeah, An sayin somethin bad." 171 DE SIGNS O SPRING Wen de thrushes in de tree Gins to sing a merry song, Its a putty good ole sign Dat de winter days aint long. Wen de trees begin to bud In de meadow far an near; You kin put yo foot erpoun it Dat spring time is comin hyeah. All de flowers in de woods Gins to look so sweet an dear; An de darkies all are singin Cause dey kno dat spring is hyeah. Wen de days are growin warm, You kin hyeah de voices clear O er de meadow far an wide, Gladly savin " spring is hyeah." [8] THE OLD MILL Near de margin of de stream Neath a towerin hill, In the field s shadow and gleam, Stands de dear ole mill; Ye re have come an pass d erway Since she took her stand, Near de stream dat slowly glides O er the gleamin sand. Rain has fall n an win has bio Gainst her mossy walls; An she tosses to an fro As the win about her falls; Tossin frum de early morn Till de eventide Near the margin of de stream Were de shinin water glide. Dear to one an true to all As she lifts her ole wo n head, Toilin ebery day but one Makin daily bread; An she toils and murmurs not In de wea ther that betides, Neath de shadow of de hill Were de ole stream glides. IT S ALL THROUGH LIFE A day of joy, a week of pain, A sunny day, a week of rain; A day of peace, a year of strife; But cling to Him, it s all through life. An hour of joy, a day of fears, An hour of smiles, a day of tears; An hour of gain, a day of strife, Press on, press on, it s all through life. [10] ELIGIA, THE BAD BOY " Jest look at em e got on my dres " Sister Fannie is e got on yo dres ? " " Yes! an e got my shoes." " Well cetch de little devil an beat em good, If I jest could see em I ould beat em ter de th." " Well Isac e got on my hat." " Doggon it; is e got yo hat? " " Yes! an e got on my dres . " " Well cetch de little scamp an gea yo bes ; If I jest could see em I ould beat em ter de th." " Confound d e got on my specks." " Don tell me e got on yo specks! " " Yes! an e got on my hat." " Well cetch de little scamp an beat im good If I jest could see em I ould beat em to de th." SCOLDING BABY BOY Wats de matter wid you boy, Hush an eat dat bread, Fo e I take dis firer stick Crack you side de head. Act like you aint got no sense, Bawlin like a fool; Wallowin doun dere on de flo , Like you was a mule. I s goin tell you now in time You can have your way; Runnin all ercross de house, Hollerin all de day. Bet not have me spank you boy, Hush sar, stop dat cryin ; Set doun dere sar on dat chest, Scrape dat melPyon rine. [12] THE ESCORT I went horn wid me gal las night Dat darlin little mis , An time we start off frum de church I ask d hur fur a Ids ; She drapp d hur head an kind o blush Den say, " I recon so "; I kis d hur bout a dozen times An den she ask d fur mo . I felt like I wus Vanderbuilt Gwine walkin long so calm, W ie Anges Lee dat darlin maid Wus leanin on my arm. Erbout two miles frum church she live, I didn t mind de walk; I wus over glad to go wid hur So we could laugh an talk. We walk long veary slo you kno As lovers generally does, She promis d dat she would be mine I promis d to be hurs; W en we go to hur mammy s gate Dat darlin little mis , Jest throw hur arms eroun my neck An greet me wid a kis . [13] THE NIGHT I WENT TO CHURCH I went to church de other night, Dat preacher sho did preach, Till ebery body in de church Wus standin on dere feet; Aunt Susan went an caught is han An bow d an jump an bio ; Atter w ile she gine a jerk, An snatch d im to de flo . Aunt Susan said, " scuse me, De spirit s wid me now, I wants to git ole Satin out An chaise im fur a roun "; De preacher look d eroun an said, " Dat spirit sho am strong; Next time you keep it in yo han Ca se dat s where it belong." Aunt Lottie stood right by my side An holler d, " Aint dat so "; Dan she gine one dem holy jumps An land doun on my toe; I jump d an fell ercross a bench, Amen, amen, dey cry; Den some one jump d erpon dat bench, An struck me in de eye. Wen meetin broke I started horn , Religin on my min ; I looks back down de lonesome road A shape wus right behin [14] Dat s jest bout twice as tall as me, An seem as w ite as sno ; Wen he got right long by my side, He say " good evenin Joe." Den boy, I hit a lickin pace An run wid all my might; I quit de road an took de trail Dat leads off to de right Fur bout a mile I burn de win , Den I wus veary tir d; I sot doun on a log to res , He eased doun by my side. Up oft dat log I gine a leap, An tried my bes to fly; He reach d an caught me by de hair, Hit look lak I would die; I leap ercross de fishin creek An I gine a whoop an squall; I us comin through dem piney woods Jes lak a rifle ball. [15J SLEEP ON YE HAPPY SONS Sleep on ye happy sons Beneath the trodden soil; Sleep on in Paradise, Tis there ye have no toil. Ye served your country well, When she was most in need; And planted in her bowers, A pure and worthy seed. Ye gave to us the right To live as others live; For this we do adore, And to ye honor give. Sleep on ye happy sons Within your silent grave; Sleep on in Paradise Among the good and brave [16] THE DAY OF FREEDOM It wus one day bout one erclock, I nuver will forgit it; De niggers all wus jumpin roun, Jest like a drove o crickits. " We done got free at las " dey cried, An dey wus jest a singin ; Could hyeah the soun o niggers voice, All through de woods a ringin . I cut de ole time " pigion wing " Den start on " twistfurcation " Fur twas de only way I kno To have my celerb ration. Sis Juddie jine me in the dance An den we went to swingin , Wile people pat dere hands an sung Like bells in heaben ringin . It was a grand an mighty day Wen all dat host of menses, Came ridin to ole masser yard An toe doun all de fenceses; Den dey begin to bio dem horns An horses wus a prancin , I threw dat child doun out my lap An man I went to dancin . [17] MY LITTLE CABIN HOME Not a place on earth I kno Dat I love as well As my little cabin horn* Where I use ter dwell; Through de woods I use ter go Huntin fur de coon; Walkin by oh greamin light Of de silver moon. Many days I play d erbout Neath de shady trees; Where I hear d de hummin sound Of de buisy bees: Dearest little cabin home, Yes, I love you still; I kin see you in my dreams Sittin on de hill. [18] THE LOVER S SPAT My darlin I sho love you But you don treat me right; W a make you let dat guy go Back horn* wid you las night? You kno dat thing got way wid me Wen you did me excuse; I want to be wid you so bad To hyeah de lattes news. You sho did build some bridge las night, Yer built it cross my nose; You said you thought a lot of me To tute me I supose: I kno ole Dick done been eround An make is gread big brag; Cause all de boys dat lives eround Is got me fur a gag. Why don you be a lady true An love one at a time, Dis flirtin am a dangerous thing, An too it is a crime; It make me sick doun in my heart Wen I think how you done, If I ketch Dick wid you ergain Somebody sho goin run. He goes to be a mighty " tush " But I s not scared o him; If ever I lay hands on Dick I ll beat him out er win ; [19] Hush! don you say a thing to me You s almos made me sick You play setch trick wid me ergain I ll gea you nough o Dick. Come hyeah honey to yo love, Hush now baby, don it cry; Aint goin hurt my choc late drop, Blessid little sugar pie. I don kno w at I would do Dout my little Miss; Let me hug you one more time An gea you a kiss. [20] SNOW HILL A mother true, a mother wise This is the name she bears; She s sowing truth throughout the land, To serve in coming years. Upon the hearts of earnest youths Who march to her bright dawn, She is writing there a precious theme; Sing, pray and labor on. A mother who is walking down The narrow rugged lane, To reach the goal which stands afar In everlasting fame. Though trials come on every side, Her aim is bright and true; Through storms our mother will endure And make our lives anew. A mother dear, a mother true This mother is Snow Hill; Whose lesson is to labor on And do our Sovereign s will. And well thou knowest mother mine That life is not all ease Thus there may st suffer many pain While bringing in the sheaves. [21] THE INVITATION A week ergo, las Wednesday night I got an invitation; To visit Parson Davis home Wile off on my vacation. I started two days in advance To make all preparation; So when I walked into de house Dey ould see my decoration. I look my black suit through an through An gine to it a cleanin ; Dat almos hurt dem people s eyes, Cause it had setch a gleamin . De night came on for me to fill Dat most distinct engagement; You kno dose envious Johnson boys Tried to break up my rangement. Dey told er many different things Which all prov d to be fakers; Cause every body know dem boys To be good faker makers. I gine myself an early start To take a good neat dressin ; So when I face dem putty maids I ould make a good impressin . I made a good impressin too I won de heart o Mammie; An jest had been a luttle mo I ould stole de heart o Channie. [22] A WORD TO ETHIOPIA No race has had such chilly days As thou, O Mother race; Nor had the veil of darkness drawn Before its lonely face; What pains and sorrows thou hast had Through these lamenting years; What burdens given thee to bear, What griefs and bitter tears. No race could bear this heavy load As thou, and not have died; Fate cast thee on a mighty sea, Swept by a raging tide. Thy sons have known but toil and woe O noble Mother race; Suffering snares on every side, And insults to the face. Tis better that thou struggle on, O ravished Mother race; For neath the skies where others dwell Thou lt win a worthy place. Though it is dark, go on and on O Mother race of mine; For ere thy distant goal is won Glory will on thee shine. [23] BOOKER T. WASHINGTON Washington, true noble son Of Ethiopia s pride; Over the land thy deeds have flown On fame s rising tide. What a shelter your hands built In the land of flowers That the lowly may enjoy Bright and happy hours. How faithful was your toil for us, O Ethiopia s star; What struggles you have had for us In life s great war. Your life was all of care and toil, Each hour, each night and day; You cleared the forest of life for us And made an open way. Sleep on, O hero, and find rest In that bright home above; Rest from your labors and your toil, And know your people s love. [24] PAUL LAWRENCE DUNBAR O Dunbar! the son of everlasting fame, Thou served st thy race, thy country-men, but not in vain; The everlasting lessons thou hast taught Are lights by which our fortunes may be wrought; Thy songs we sing o er rugged hill and plains, Dost soothe our daily heartaches and our pains. Thou marched into the world among the brave, And all the way was forward to thy early grave; Toiling each day for those that never knew; Inspiring them to live serene and true; Thou wast the guide on pathways we must go, The mighty teacher who taught us dreams to sow. Oh, Dunbar, the son of Ethiopian blood, Thou soarest above life s raging tides and flood; Rest in thy peace beyond the distant sky, Thy memory is in our hearts never to die. Dunbar, Dunbar! of everlasting fame, Thy service we honor and thy genius claim! [25] I AM MA AN PAPA BABY Go way from me an le me lone, You worry me to death; If you jest pull my year ergain I ll beat you out er breath; I want you kno jest who I am; I aint nobody crazy ; Go way frum me an le me lone, I am ma an papa baby. You come eround an play wid me So you kin eat my bread; An ebery time you git a chance You bump me gain de head. I is tired puttin up wid you, You say dat I is crazy; You must be fool, you little brat, I am ma an papa baby. You wan be still, look at you now, Jes grinnin like a cat; Confoun yo little crazy time, Don set right on my hat. I is goin horn erway frum you, You ack lack you is crazy; I don want you ter play wid me, I am ma an papa baby. [26] THE FLOWER A pretty little flower Stood smiling on the way; And welcomed every traveler, On a bright sunny day. It seemed to smile and whisper To those who passed it by, And say, " My little children Why do you weep and cry." " Come take me as thy comfort, For tis my mission here To cheer the weak and weary And help their burden bear. " We all may be a flower Along life s path of night, And scatter there bright sunshine, That men may walk in light." [27-] WHEN THE DIFFERENT CHURCHES MEET You talkin bout a time in toun, It was in las September; Wen all de different churches roun Came hyeah wid ebery member. Sis Fannie frum de Hard shell church Wus pointed by de men; To sing dat good ole song of deres, Dey call dere fav rite hymn. Sis Bettie frum de Meth dist church Was pointed by de quir To sing dat good ole Meth dist hymn, Till she had made em cry. But Ned from Shiloah Baptis church, Wus pointed by de board, To sing dat good ole Baptis song, Dat glorify de Lord An man, dey done some singin to, I want to tell you dat; It made Sis Hannah Bonner shout Till she tored up her hat. [28] I USE TER ORES Wen I wus a courtin man My, I used to dres ; I wouldn t go to see a gal Unless I wore a ves*. I wore dem locus bussom shirts An had em w ite as sno ; I have had four o dem putty studs All strung doun in a ro . I had a long Prince Albert coat Dat cam down ter me knee, An w en I got ter dancin roun It hum jes like a bee. I member once I had a hat Dat temp d gals passin by, An w en I put dat rascal on It made de fellers cry. I see youal wear yo English suit. Done quit lox lack an peg; Yo britchins fit you like yo skin, An come half way you leg. You s got to many styles fur me An none don worth a cent; You d better kept dat money, boy, To spen for pork an rent. [29] WHERE HEARTS ARE GAY Way doun South where de wild rose grows By de stream as de water flows, Gently through de ca m bright night Neath de twinklin starry light; Tripple, tripple, night an day, Dats where hearts are gay. Way doun South where de robins sing Through de fair bright days of spring, Mong de growin lilies fair, Where de fragrance fills de air, W ile de sunbeams dance an play, Dats where hearts are gay. Way doun South where de ruslin cane Makes a joyful, sweet refrain, As de coolin breezes bio Through de meadow to an fro; Way doun horn , in de South I say, Dats where hearts are gay. Way doun South in de silent grave Sleep de noble an de brave; From dere labor an dere toil, Restin safe in de homeland soil; Where de sunbeams dance an play, Dats where hearts are gay. [30] HOME INSTRUCTION Wen a lady gea you bread You say, " Thank you mam "; She may gea you something mo , Ha s a slice of ham. Wen you meet em in de road Gea yo hat a raise; Make a bow an speech to dem But don stop an gaize. Wen you see a door is shut Gea a rap or two; Something like dis, rap, rap, rap! Dats de way to do. If dey vite you in to eat, Don eat wid yo han ; Use yo knife, yo fork an spoon, Like a little man. You mus try to be perlite Every way you go; Dats de kind o seed to choose, An de kind to so . [31] THE NEW YEAR S RESOLVE Another year has passed away, The New Year comes, but not to stay; I will put my cares on Jesus Christ, When the Old with the New Year makes tryst. Within all evil thoughts shall die, And holy ones yearn toward the sky; Then all my griefs shall pass away, And every day be a holy day. I have blundered Lord along the road, But now I walk with lightened load; Help me to keep that which is right Beginning on this New Year s night. [32J N LABOR ON Labor w ile the sun is bright, Pray an labor on; Labor on wid earnest hearts Till de day is gone; Labor dough de clouds be lo , Labor dough de work be hard, Pray an labor on. Labor w ile de day is fair; Sing an labor on; Labor fur a wurthy cause, March an labor on; Labor not fur self alone, Labor fur yo brother too, Sing an labor on. Labor dough de win may bio , Labor all de day; He will sho you w at to do An prepare de way; Labor fo de sun is down, Labor fur a righteous crown, Pray an labor on. Labor dough de day be long, Fight an labor on; Labor fur a happy horn , Pray an labor on ; Labor dough de way be dark, Pray to Him wid earnest heart, Sing an labor on. [33] FORGET ME NOT Will you think of me my dear, Wile I am erway? I am goin fur frum you, But I cannot stay. Wen I think of leavin you, I sit doun an cry; Thinkin w at I m goin to do, Wen I say goodbye. Love is treasured in my heart, An its all fur you; I will ever think of you, An I will be true. Wen I have return to you, I don t want to tarry; If you really care fur me, We will go an marry. Will you truly promise me Wen I cease to roam, That you ll come and live wid me In a lovin home? Think of me my little dear Wile I am erway; An set de erpointed time Fur de weddin day. [34] ANNOYANCE Hush! I hyeah a mighty singin Over on de hill, Goodness, wish you stop yo fuss, An learn to be still. Singin soundin mighty good, Wish I could be dere, Sit doun dere an hush yo mouth, An plat up yo hair. You can t hyeah me w en I talk Can t you keep still som ? W en I git through wid you Mis , You will go frum horn. I can t hyeah a single thing, Dat goes on eroun , Fur you makin all yo noise, You are out er boun . Ebery night you sit eroun , Hollerin like a fool; I s goin buy a book fur you, An send you to school. I don want yer growin up So much like a nigger; You must le rn to read an write, Cypher, add, an figger. Dere are nuff o peoples now, Who can t read an write; You mus stop yo nigger ways, An act like you white. [35] DER FIDDLE IS MY COMFORT Wen I wake up in der morn Feelin kind o tir d an sad, I begin to sing a song Dat will make me kind o glad; Dis ole fiddle is my comfort, In de mornin an at noon, You kin hyeah de strings a singin, In a high an lodious tune. Wen I stop my work at twelve, Wet wid sweat an hungry too, I jest play till Milly come An say Silas, dat will do. Dis s a good ole piece to play, Twas my daddy s-daddy s song, An tis as good an sweet As de honey in de corn. Ebery night befo e I sleep You kin hyeah de fiddle strin , Playin out so loud an sweet On de current of de win . Milly, she jest sit an listen Wid de children on hur knee; To de fiddle as it whistle Lack a luttle chicakadee. [36] THE FAVORITE DIET I don ker bout yo cake an pie, An ne ther bout yo chicken; I wouldn t give a dime fur all Dat you have in yo kitchen; Wen I come doun to visit you, I ll eat what please the masses; Make t ings as common as you kin, An gea me bread an lasses. Folks talk erbout dere po k an ham, An dat bolognial sausage; But I purfer dat sweeten t ing Dat pou s out through ah fausage; Wen I sit doun to eat a meal, No matter tis what passes, Dere s nothin dat will suit my taste, Lack good ole bread an lasses. I sho enjoy d my supper here, It wus so nice an fine; A luttle cake an cream will do To suit this taste of mine. In spite of all de cake an cream, Upon your table passes, I wish dat you had brought to me A plate of bread an lasses. [37] GOOD AFTER ILL Win s are blowin on ahaid us, Rain is fallin fas ; Never mind it, keep er goin , Soon it all will pas . We may git a little tirid Fo e we reach de end; But jest take a little courage, Ebery now and den. We may have a many ackin An a many pain; But remember dat ole sayin " Sunshine after rain." We may see a many days Dat we think are night; But we kno dat after darkness Dere will be a light. [38 : THE PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL Jesus my King in Thee I trust With all my soul and heart; Within Thy footsteps I will walk And never will depart. Jesus the source of all my strength, The light by which I see; Help me to praise Thy Holy name Till I am home with Thee. [39] A DAILY PRAYER Help me O Lord, to face the coming foes, Help me I pray to win; Teach me the wisdom of the age, And keep me free from sin. When darkness dwells along my rugged path, Help me to fight and pray; And sing Thy psalms, though Thee I may not see, Until the dawn of day. Keep me O Lord, within Thy shepherd s fold, Keep me beneath Thy wing; Guide me until I reach the blissful shore, Where I will see my King. [40] KEEP ME, JESUS KEEP ME Keep me neath Thy mighty wing, Keep me, Jesus keep me; Help me praise Thy Holy name, Keep me, Jesus keep me. O my Lamb, come my Lamb, O my good Lamb, Save me, Jesus, save me. Hear me as I cry to Thee; Keep me, Jesus keep me; May I that bright glory see; Keep me, Jesus, keep me. O my Lamb, my good Lamb, O my good Lamb, Keep me, Jesus, keep me. [41] RUN ON HOME (Melody) Don t you hyeah de masser callin , Come on children, come on horn ; Run ca se yonder s mount is fallin , Run on children, run on horn ; Come on to yo Jesus, run on to yo horn 1 , Lay yo heavy burden doun, Run on, run on horn . He is waitin to receive yo , Come on children, come on horn ; All he say to yo is true, Run on children, run on horn . Run on to yo Jesus, run on to yo horn , Run bef oe ole Satin come, Come on, come on horn . Hyeah Him He is softly callin , Come on children, come on horn ; Run ca se yonder s mount is fallin , Run on children, run on horn ; Run on to yo Jesus, run on to yo hom\ Run ca se yonder s rocks will fall, Run on, run on horn . [42] SING ON TO JESUS (Melody) Come on children, sing a song of praise; Sing on, sing on to Jesus. He is risen from the lonely grave; Sing on, sing on to Jesus. Sing on, pray on, Jesus still lives; Sing on, pray on, Jesus still lives; Fight on, march on, till the dawn of day; Fight on, march on, don t forget to pray. Sing on children, he is gone above; Sing on, sing on, to Jesus; Walk and live in His abiding love; Sing on, sing on, to Jesus. Come on children, march around the walls; Sing on, sing on, to Jesus; Yonder walls soon will rock and fall; Sing on, sing on, to Jesus. Sing on, pray on, Jesus still lives; Sing on, pray on, Jesus still lives; Fight on, march on, till the dawn of day; Fight on, march on, don t forget to pray. [43] SEEK THE LOST Hush! tis a voice I hear afar, Hear ye the doleful cries! Some one is suffering in the storm, Go seek him ere he dies. I pity him in his distress; He cries under Heaven s dome; Let s seek until we find the lost, And bring him safely home. At last here lies the dying lad, Come, now, we ll kneel and pray; Oh! see it is our darling son, Who long since went astray. What pain, what grief I suffer now, As I embrace my son; Breathing his last and fainting breath My life, it seems, is done. There are many sons today are lost On life s stormy ocean foam; Let s seek them while they wander lost, And bring them safely home. [44] YOU LL REAP WHAT YOU SOW If you plant a row of corn You can t reap no wheat; If you plant a row o beans Don t expect a beet. W en you plant yo sweet pertater You don look fur beans; If you plant a row of peas, You don look fur greens. If you steal frum any body Some will steal frum you; You kin try it if you wan er, You will find it true. If we sow a seed o kindes We will reap de same; Let us sow dem every day In our Savior s name. [45] MOVE ON Wen yo life is full o trouble, Don complain; We mus have our daily toil, An* our pain; Take it as it goes an comes, Ebery day; Keep a fightin an a marchin On de way. Wen yo load is gettin heavy, Don give up; Soon de bitter drugs will go Frum yo cup; Don keer how de sun is shinin , Walk right on, Till you take de load you carry, To yo horn . Wen de clouds are hangin heavy, Hurry on; Try yo best to make it over To yo horn ; Never stop to fool erlong, On de way; Keep a marchin an a fightin , All de day. [46] THE DEPARTURE I am feelin kind o sad Bout my mother dear, Though she died an left me hyeah, Soon will be a year; It is putty hard an sad Wen yo mother s cross de foam; An you cannot hyeah her voice Nowhere in de horn . Wen I come in from work I sit doun an sigh O er de words she spoke to me Jes befo she die; She is gone to heaven s land Never to return An she caution d me to live Ever true an firm. Who will take me in dere care Wen I am in trouble; An will come to cherish me Wen de mourns are double? Wen yo mother pass erway You will have it tough; As you walk erlong de roads You will find em rough. I remember d good an plain How she use to toil, Rangin t ings erbout de house Fur us to enjoy; [47] Who will speak a word o cheer Wen Fs feeling sad, Cannot say, mother s gone She wus all I had. If you stan eroun de bed Wen yo mother is dyin , You can t help frum feelin sad, An can t keep frum cryin ; One thing gea me consulation We will meet ergin, In de land of joy an res , Dat is free from sin. T48] TWAS MOTHER Who rock d me w en I wus a babe, My mother to be sure; Who loved me dough I act d rude, Mother sweet and pure. Who toil d wid me both night and day, Mother kind an dear; Who sought me w en I went estray, Mother, mother dear. Who shar d my sorrows every day, Mother, mother mine; What taught me how to sing an pray? Twas Mother s love divine. Oh mother dear has passed away, Mother, mother mine; An bade me come to res wid her, In Paradise divine! [49] THE MOTHER S FAREWELL TO HER SON My loving son, my message is As I bid you goodbye, That you must ever put your trust In God until you die. Here is a jewel I ll give to you, Retain it through your life Twill help you when all helpers fail In overcoming strife. Take then my son this precious jewel, It s dear, it s real and pure; This jewel is these precious words, Be honest, kind and true. Your foes may come on every side, And tempter s powers assail you, But keep in mind this precious jewel - Be honest, kind and true. [50) TAKE ME HOME Take me to my horn in Dixie fur erway Where my mother an de children all are gay, Take me dere an let me die, At my mother s side to He. Wile the good ole preacher come eroun to pray. Take me to my horn in Dixie bright an fair, Where de purfum frum de flowers fill de air, Take me dere to res w en bre th Weakens to its song of de th, An dey ring de bell of peace slow and clear. Take me to my horn in Dixie where I ll res Till de angles come an call me to de tes ; Take me dere an let me see De ole shady hic ry tree, Where de robin an de sparrow make dere nes . Take me to my horn in Dixie on de farm Whar my childhood days were free frum care and harm; Take me dere an let me look At my horn beside de brook, Where the days went passin free of life s alarm. Take me to my horn in Dixie where I ll res Till de angels come an call me to de tes ; Make fur me a lowly grave On de hill ermong de brave, W en dey fold my arms in de th on my bres . [51 ] THE DAY OF REPENTANCE Doun in de valley I went one day Wid head hung low w ile on my way, I heard a voice but I could not see, An it seem d to say dat " God loves me." Doun in de valley I went one day Wid a heavy heart w ile on my way, I heard a song but I could not see, An it seem d to say, dat " God loves me." Doun in de valley I knelt an pray, Askin fur a brighter day; Wen I raise up I could plainly see A shinin light, sayin " Come to me." [52] WHAT HAVE I DONE What good deed have I done today To cheer a weary soul, That he might feel a touch of love While struggling toward the goal. What seed of cheer have I sown today, To lift the fainting head; Of a soul that crept along the way In need of drink and bread? What psalm of praise have I sung today To hearts sad of grief and pain, As they went troubled down the path In life s merciless rain? [53] WHEN THE WAY SEEMS DARK W en through life the way seems dark, Look to God an do yo best; Work wid willin han an heart; He will give you ceaseless rest. W en your path is long an rough, Pressin let yo zeal be shown, Till you see the King above, Settin on de golden throne. Never murmur or complain, But be thankful fur yo share; Life is naught without a pain, Useless without toil and care. [54J IN THE HOUR OF DEATH In de hour of death when all am still, An de night am dark an col Wat faintin word can den be heard, To save our dyin soul? In de hour of death w en de end am near An de heart am beatin slo Wat psalm of praise can de mourner raise As death raps at de do . In de hour of death w en de debt am paid An we breathe de las goodbye In dat sad day w at can we say As death un loose de tie. [55] EVENTIDE Softly the shades of evening fall O er the cheerful hills and vales, Whispering to the weary eyes Saying, " lay your burden by; You have labored at your best, Go now, take your rest." Softly the shades of evening fall O er the heads of every one, Smiling as they dance and play O er the merry and the gay; Saying as they softly creep, " Go now, take your sleep." Softly the shades of evening dwell Till the dawning of the morn, Smiling as they dance away From the merry and the gay; Saying as they softly creep, " Wake now from your sleep." [56] WINTER IS COMING De winter days are drawin nigh An by the fire I sets an sigh; De nothe n win is blowin cold, Like it done in days of old. De yaller leafs are fallin fas , Fur summer days is been an pas ; The air is blowin mighty cold, Like it done in days of old. De frost is fallin on de gras , An seem to say " Dis is yo las De air is blowin mighty cold Like it done in days of old. [57] THE COMBAT Wile doun de narrow path o life I march wid hope to reach de goal As I attempts to do de thing dats right Evil gits within my weary soul. Each day I struggle on through life As bes I kin to reach de goal, But when I stops de struggle fo to res* Evil gits within my weary soul. [58] RED, WHITE, AND BLUE Red, white an blue Gleamin in the air; Kind, dear an true, Is de name dey bear. Red, white an blue, Flag of mother mine; Teach us w at to do, Till de end of time. Flag of our home In a foreign air; Fightin gainst de wrong, Is yo mission dere. Flag wid twinklin stars, May you ever wave, On yo staff above All dats good an brave. [59] SING OUT FOR PEACE Sing out, sing clear, the true and brave, That peace may o er the land prevail; Sing on in joy with every land, That peace may come to man. Sing out, sing loud, the old and young, Sing all beneath the gleaming sun; Sing as thou walk st, sing as thou stand st, That peace may come to man. Sing out, sing glad, the great and small, That peace may flourish over all; Let echoes ring o er every land, That peace may come to all. Sing out, sing true, the high and low, Sing as we on to glory go; Sing on in joy with every strand, That peace may come to man. [60] UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. Form L9-Serics 4939 PS3505. C213F UC SOUT HERNREGIONALUBRARVFAaUTV il in "o TTT. OF CLMJF.. LIBrABY T OS