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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow
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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow
By
Paul Laurence Dunbar
New York
Dodd, Mead & Company
1907
Copyright, 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, By The Century Co.
Copyright, 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, By The Curtis Publishing Company
Copyright, 1903, By W. H. Gannett
Copyright, 1905, By Dodd, Mead and Company
TO MRS. FRANK CONOVER
WITH THANKS FOR HER
LONG BELIEF
CONTENTS
PAGE
A Boy's Summer Song i
The Sand-Man 2
Johnny Speaks 3
Winter Song 4
A Christmas Folksong 5
The Forest Greeting 7
The Lily of the Valley 9
Encouraged 10
To J. Q II
Diplomacy 11
Scamp 12
Wadin' in de Creek 14
A Corn Song 16
The Plantation Child's Lullaby 19
Twilight 21
Curiosity 21
Opportunity 24
Puttin' the Baby Away 26
The Fisher Child's Lullaby 28
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Contents
Faith 29
The Farm Child's Lullaby 32
The Place Where the Rainbow Ends ... 34
Hope 36
Appreciation 37
The Barrier 39
Day 40
To Dan 41
What's the Use 42
A Lazy Day 43
Advice 44
Limitations 46
A Golden Day 47
The Unlucky Apple 48
The Discovery 49
Morning 50
The Awakening 51
Love's Draft 52
A Musical 52
TwELL DE Night is Pas* 53
Blue 54
Dreamin' Town 55
Ax Night .57
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Contents
Kidnaped 59
Compensation 60
Winter's Approach 61
Anchored 62
The Veteran 63
Yesterday and To-Morrow 65
The Change 66
The Chase 68
Suppose 68
The Death of the First Born 69
Bein' Back Home 71
The Old Cabin 'jz
Despair 76
Circumstances Alter Cases 76
Till the Wind Gets Right 79
A Summer Night 80
At Sunset Time 82
Night 83
At Loafing-Holt 84
When a Feller's Itching to be Spanked . . 86
The River of Ruin 88
To Her 90
A Love Letter 91
Contents
After Many Days 93
Liza May 94
The Masters 97
Trouble in de Kitchen 98
The Quilting 100
Parted loi
Forever loi
Christmas 102
Roses and Pearls 104
Rain-Songs 105
A Lost Dream 105
A Song 108
A Song 109
Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow
Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow
A BOY'S SUMMER SONG
>np^IS fine to play
•*■ In the fragrant hay, And romp on the golden load;
To ride old Jack
To the barn and back, Or tramp by a shady road.
To pause and drink.
At a mossy brink; Ah, that is the best of joy,
And so I say
On a summer's day, What's so fine as being a boy ? Ha, Ha !
With line and hook
By a babbling brook, The fisherman's sport we ply;
And list the song
Of the feathered throng That flit in the branches nigh. I
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At last we strip
For a quiet dip; Ah, that is the best of joy.
For this I say
On a summer's day, What's so fine as being a boy ? Ha, Ha !
THE SAND-MAN
I KNOW a man With face of tan, But who is ever kind;
Whom girls and boys ^ , Leave games and toys Each eventide to find.
When day grows dim. They watch for him,
He comes to place his claim; He wears the crown Of Dreaming-town ;
The sand-man is his name.
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When sparkling eyes
Droop sleepywise And busy lips grow dumb;
When little heads
Nod toward the beds, We know the sand-man's come.
JOHNNY SPEAKS
THE sand-man he's a jolly old fellow. His face is kind and his voice is mellow, But he makes your eyelids as heavy as lead, And then you got to go off to bed ; I don't think I like the sand-man.
But I've been playing this livelong day; It does make a fellow so tired to play ! Oh, my, I'm a-yawning right here before
ma, I'm the sleepiest fellow that ever you saw. I think I do like the sand-man.
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WINTER SONG
OH, who would be sad tho' the sky- be a-graying, And meadow and woodlands are empty and bare; For softly and merrily now there come playing, The little white birds thro' the winter- kissed air.
The squirrel's enjoying the rest of the thrifty, He munches his store in the old hollow tree; Tho' cold is the blast and the snow-flakes are drifty He fears the white flock not a whit more than we.
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Chorus :
Then heigho for the flying snow ! Over the whitened roads we go,
With pulses that tingle,
And sleigh-bells a- jingle For winter's white birds here's a cheery heigho !
A CHRISTMAS FOLKSONG
T^ E win' is blowin' wahmah, -■-^ An hit's blowin' f'om de bay; Dey's a so't o' mist a-risin'
All erlong de meddah way ; Dey ain't a hint o' frostin'
On de groun' ner in de sky, An' dey ain't no use in hopin' Dat de snow'll 'mence to fly.
It's goin' to be a green Christmas,
An' sad de day fu' me. I wish dis was de las' one Dat evah I should see.
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Dey's dancin' in de cabin,
Dey's spahkin' by de tree; But dancin' times an' spahkin'
Are all done pas' fur me. Dey's feastin' in de big house, Wid all de windahs wide — Is dat de way fu' people To meet de Christmas-tide?
It's goin' to be a green Christmas,
No mattah what you say.
Dey's us dat will remembah
An' grieve de comin' day.
Dey's des a bref o' dampness
A-clingin' to my cheek; De aih's been dahk an' heavy
An' threatenin' fu' a week, But not wid signs o' wintah,
Dough wintah'd seem so deah — De wintah's out o' season, An' Christmas eve is heah.
It's goin' to be a green Christmas, An' oh, how sad de day! 6
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Go ax de hongry chu'chya'd, An' see what hit will say.
Dey's Allen on de hillside,
An' Marfy in de plain ; Fu' Christmas was like springtime,
An' come wid sun an' rain. Dey's Ca'line, John, an' Susie,
Wid only dis one lef ' : An' now de curse is comin' Wid murder in hits bref.
It's goin' to be a green Christmas-
Des hyeah my words an' see ; Befo' de summah beckons Dey's many'll weep wid me.
THE FOREST GREETING
GOOD hunting! — aye, good hunting, Wherever the forests call; But ever a heart beats hot with fear, And what of the birds that fall?
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Good hunting ! — aye, good hunting, Wherever the north winds blow ;
But what of the stag that calls for his mate ? And what of the wounded doe?
Good hunting ! — aye, good hunting, And ah ! we are bold and strong ;
But our triumph call through the forest hall Is a brother's funeral song.
For we are brothers ever,
Panther and bird and bear ; Man and the weakest that fear his face,
Bom to the nest or lair.
Yes, brothers, and who shall judge us?
Hunters and game are we ; But who gave the right for me to smite ?
Who boasts when he smiteth me?
Good hunting ! — aye, good hunting,
And dim is the forest track ; But the sportsman Death comes striding on :
Brothers, the way is black. 8
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THE LILY OF THE VALLEY
SWEETEST of the flowers a-blooming In the fragrant vernal days Is the Lily of the Valley
With its soft, retiring ways.
Well, you chose this humble blossom As the nurse's emblem flower,
Who grows more like her ideal Every day and every hour.
Like the Lily of the Valley
In her honesty and worth, Ah, she blooms in truth and virtue
In the quiet nooks of earth.
Tho' she stands erect in honor
When the heart of mankind bleeds,
Still she hides her own deserving In the beauty of her deeds.
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In the silence of the darkness
Where no eye may see and know,
There her footsteps shod with mercy. And fleet kindness come and go.
Not amid the sounds of plaudits,
Nor before the garish day, Does she shed her soul's sweet perfume.
Does she take her gentle way.
But alike her ideal flower. With its honey-laden breath,
Still her heart blooms forth its beauty In the valley shades of death.
ENCOURAGED
"D ECAUSE you love me I have much
-■^ achieved. Had you despised me then I must have failed,
But since I knew you trusted and believed, I could not disappoint you and so prevailed.
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TO J. Q.
WHAT are the things that make life bright? A star gleam in the night. What hearts us for the coming fray?
The dawn tints of the day. What helps to speed the weary mile?
A brother's friendly smile. What turns o' gold the evening gray ? A flower beside the way.
DIPLOMACY
TELL your love where the roses blow, And the hearts of the lilies quiver. Not in the city's gleam and glow,
But down by a half-sunned river. II
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Not in the crowded ball-room's glare,
That would be fatal, Marie, Marie, How can she answer you then and there ? So come then and stroll with me,
my dear, Down where the birds call, Marie, Marie.
SCAMP
AIN'T it nice to have a mammy Wen you kin' o' tiahed out Wid a-playin' in de meddah,
An' a-runnin' roun' about Till hit's made you mighty hongry,
An' yo' nose hit gits to know What de smell means dat's a-comin' F'om de open cabin do'? She wash yo' face, An' mek yo' place, You's hongry as a tramp; Den hit's eat you suppah right away, You sta'vin' little scamp.
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Wen you's full o' braid an' bacon.
An' dey ain't no mo' to eat, An' de lasses dat's a-stickin'
On yo' face ta'se kin' o' sweet, Don' you t'ink hit's kin' o' pleasin'
Fu' to have som'body neah Dat'll wipe yo' ban's an' kiss you
Fo' dey lif you f'om yo cheah? To smile so sweet, An' wash yo' feet,
An' leave 'em co'l an' damp; Den hit's come let me undress you, now
You lazy little scamp.
Don' yo' eyes git awful heavy.
An' yo' lip git awful slack, Ain't dey som'p'n' kin' o' weaknin'
In de backbone of yo' back? Don' yo' knees feel kin' o' trimbly,
An' yo' head go bobbin' roun', .Wen you says yo' " Now I lay me,'
An' is sno'in' on de " down " ?
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She kiss yo' nose,
She kiss yo' toes, An' den tu'n out de lamp, Den hit's creep into yo' trunnel baid, You sleepy little scamp.
WADIN' IN DE CRICK
Tn\AYS git wa'm an' wa'mah, ^^ School gits mighty dull, Seems lak dese hyeah teachahs
Mus' feel mussiful. Hookey's wrong, I know it
Ain't no gent'man's trick; But de aih's a-callin',
" Come on to de crick/'
Dah de watah's gu'glin*
Ovah shiny stones, Des hit's ve'y singin'
Seems to soothe yo' bones.
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Wat's de use o' waitin', Go on good an' quick:
Dain't no fun lak dis hyeah Wadin' in de crick.
Wat dat jay-b'ud sayin' ?
Bettah shet yo' haid, Fus' t'ing dat you fin' out,
You'll be layin' daid. Jay-bu'ds sich a tattlah,
Des seem lak his trick Fu' to tell on folkses
Wadin' in de crick.
Wilier boughs a-bendin',
Hidin' of de sky, Wavin' kin' o' frien'ly
Ez de win' go by, Elum trees a-shinin',
Dahk an' green an' thick, Seem to say, " I see yo'
Wadin' in de crick."
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But de trees don' chattah,
Dey des look an' sigh Lak hit's kin' o' peaceful
Des a-bein' nigh, An' yo' t'ank yo' Mastah
Dat dey trunks is thick Wen yo' mammy fin's you
Wadin' in de crick.
Den yo' run behin' dem
Lak yo' scaihed to def, Mammy come a-flyin',
Mos' nigh out o' bref ; But she set down gentle
An' she drap huh stick, — An, fus' t'ing, dey's mammy
Wadin' in de crick.
A CORN SONG
/^N the wide veranda white, ^^ In the purple failing light, Sits the master while the sun is lowly burning ;
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And his dreamy thoughts are drowned In the softly flowing sound Of the corn-songs of the field hands slow returning.
Oh, we hoe de co'n Since de ehly mo*n; Now de sinkin' sun Says de day is done.
O'er the fields with heavy tread, Light of heart and high of head, Though the halting steps be labored, slow, and weary; Still the spirits brave and strong Find a comforter in song, And their corn-song rises ever loud and cheery.
Oh, we hoe de co'n Since de ehly mo'n; Now de sinkin' sun Says de day is done.
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To the master in his seat, Comes the burden, full and sweet, Of the mellow minor music growing clearer, As the toilers raise the hymn, Thro' the silence dusk and dim, To the cabin's restful shelter drawing nearer.
Oh, we hoe de co'n Since de ehly mo'n; Now de sinkin' sun Says de day is done.
And a tear is in the eye
Of the master sitting by, As he listens to the echoes low-replying
To the music's fading calls
As it faints away and falls Into silence, deep within the cabin dying.
Oh, we hoe de co'n Since de ehly mo'n; Now de sinkin' sun Says de day is done. i8
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THE PLANTATION CHILD'S LULLABY
WINTAH time hit comin' Stealin' thoo de night; Wake up in the mo'nin'
Evah ting" is white ; Cabin lookin' lonesome Stannin' in de snow, Meks you kin' o' nervous, Wen de win' hit blow.
Trompin' back from feedin'.
Col' an' wet an' blue, Homespun jacket ragged,
Win' a-blowin' thoo. Cabin lookin' cheerful,
Unnerneaf de do', Yet you kin' o' keerful
W'en de win' hit blow. 19
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Hickory log a-blazin'
Light a-lookin' red, Faith o' eyes o' peepin'
R'om a trun'le bed, Little feet a-patterin'
Cleak across de flo' ; Bettah had be keerful
Wen de win' hit blow.
Suppah done an' ovah,
Evah t'ing is still ; Listen to de snowman
Slippin' down de hill. Ashes on de fiah,
Keep it wa'm but low. What's de use o' keerin'
Ef de win' do blow?
Smoke house full o' bacon, Brown an' sweet an' good;
Taters in de cellah,
'Possum roam de wood ;
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Little baby snoozin*
Des ez ef he know. What's de use o' keerin'
Ef de win' do blow?
TWILIGHT
J^T^WIXT a smile and a tear, ■*- 'Twixt a song and a sigh, 'Twixt the day and the dark, When the night draweth nigh.
Ah, sunshine may fade
From the heavens above, No twilight have we
To the day of our love.
CURIOSITY
MAMMY'S in de kitchen, an' de do' is shet; All de pickaninnies climb an' tug an' sweat, Gittin' to de winder, stickin' dah lak flies, Evah one ermong us des all nose an' eyes.
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" Whut's she cookin', Isaac? " " Whut's
she cookin', Jake ? " " Is it sweet pertaters ? Is hit pie er cake ? " But we couldn't mek out even whah we
stood iWhut was mammy cookin' dat could smell
so good.
Mammy spread de winder, an* she frown
an' frown. How de pickaninnies come a-tumblin' down ! Den she say : " Ef you-all keeps a-peepin' in, How I'se gwine to whup you, my ! 't 'ill
be a sin! Need n' come a-sniffin' an' a-nosin' hyeah, 'Ca'se I knows my business, nevah feah." Won't somebody tell us— how I wish dey
would ! — Whut is mammy cookin' dat it smells so
good?
We know she means business, an' we
dassent stay. Dough it's mighty tryin' fuh to go erway ;
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But we goes a-troopin' down de ol' wood- track
'Twell dat steamin' kitchen brings us stealin' back,
Climbin' an' a-pveepin' so's to see inside.
Whut on earf kin mammy be so sha'p to hide?
I'd des up an' tell folks w'en I knowed I could,
Ef I was a-cookin' t'ings dat smelt so good.
Mammy in de oven, an' I see huh smile; Moufs mus' be a-wat'rin' roun' hyeah fuh
a mile ; Den we almos' hollah ez we hu'ies down, 'Ca'se hit's apple dumplin's, big an' fat an*
brown ! W'en de do' is opened, solemn lak an' slow, Wisht you see us settin' all dah in a row Innercent an' p'opah, des lak chillun should W'en dey mammy's cookin' t'ings dat
smell so good.
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OPPORTUNITY
GRANNY'S gone a-vlsitin'. Seen huh git huh shawl Wen I was a-hidin' down
Hime de gyahden wall. Seen huh put her bonnet on,
Seen huh tie de strings, An' Fse gone to dreamin' now 'Bout dem cakes an' t'ings.
On de she'f behime de do' —
Mussy, what a feas' ! Soon ez she gits out o' sight,
I kin eat in peace. I bin watchin' fu' a week
Des fu' dis hyeah chance. Mussy, w'en I gits in daih,
I'll des sholy dance. 24
Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow
Lemon pie an' gingah-cake,
Let me set an' t'ink — Vinegah an' sugah, too,
Dat '11 mek a drink ; Ef dey's one t'ing dat I loves
Mos' pu'ticlahly, It is eatin' sweet t'ings an'
A-drinkin' Sangaree.
Lawdy, won' po' granny raih
Wen she see de she'f ; Wen I t'ink erbout huh face,
I's mos' 'shamed mxyse'f. Well, she gone, an' hyeah I is,
Back behime de do' — Look hyeah ! gran' 's done 'spected me,
Dain't no sweets no mo'.
Evah sweet is hid erway,
Job des done up brown ; Pusson t'ink dat someun t'ought
Dey was t'eves erroun' ; Dat des breaks my heart in two.
Oh how bad I feel !
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Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow
Des to t'ink my own gramma B'lieved dat I 'u'd steal !
PUTTIN' THE BABY AWAY
IT IGHT of 'em hyeah all tol' an' yet •■--' Dese eyes o' mine is wringin' wet; My haht's a-achin' ha'd an' so', De way hit nevah ached befo' ; My soul's a-pleadin', " Lawd give back Dis little lonesome baby black, Dis one, dis las' po' he'pless one Whose little race was too soon run."
Po' Little Jim, des fo' yeahs' ol' A-layin' down so still an' col'. Somehow hit don' seem ha'dly faih. To have my baby lyin' daih Wi'dout a smile upon his face, Wi'dout a look erbout de place ; He ust to be so full o' fun Hit don' seem right dat all's done, done. 26
Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow
Des eight in all but I don' caih, Dey wa'nt a single one to spaih ; De worl' was big, so was hy haht, An' dis hyeah baby owned hit's paht; De house was po', dey clothes was rough, But daih was mieat an' meal enough ; An' daih was room fu' little Jim; Oh ! Lawd, what made you call f u' him ?
It do seem monst'ous ha'd to-day, To lay dis baby boy away ; I'd learned to love his teasin' smile, He mought o' des been lef erwhile ; You wouldn't t'ought wid all de folks, Dat's roun' hyeah mixin' teahs an' jokes, De Lawd u'd had de time to see Dis chile an' tek him 'way f'om me.
But let it go, I reckon Jim,
'11 des go right straight up to Him
Dat took him f'om his mammy's nest
An' lef dis achin' in my breas',
An' lookin' in dat fathah's face
An' 'memberin' dis lone sorrerin' place,
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He'll say, " Good Lawd, you ought to had Do sumpin' f u' to comfo't dad ! "
THE FISHER CHILD'S LULLABY
THE wind Is out in its rage to-night, And your father is far at sea. The rime on the window is hard and white But dear, you are near to me. Heave ho, weave low.
Waves of the briny deep ; Seethe low and breathe low, But sleep you, my little one, sleep, sleep.
The little boat rocks in the cove no more,
But the flying sea-gulls wail ; I peer through the darkness that wraps the shore, For sight of a home set sail. Heave ho, weave low, 28
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Waves of the briny deep ; Seethe low and breathe low, But sleep you, my little one, sleep, sleep.
Ay, lad of mine, thy father may die
In the gale that rides the sea, But we'll not believe it, not you and I, Who mind us of Galilee. Heave ho, weave low,
Waves of the briny deep ; Seethe low and breathe low. But sleep you, my little one, sleep, sleep.
FAITH
T 'S a-gittin' weary of de way dat people do, -■- De folks dat's got dey 'ligion in dey fiah-
place an' flue; Dey's alius somep'n comin' so de spit'll have to turn,
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An' hit tain't no p'oposition fu' to mek de
hickory bu'n. Ef de sweet pertater fails us an' de go'geous
yallah yam, We kin tek a bit o' comfo't f'om ouah sto'
o' summah jam. Wen de snow hit git to flyin', dat's de Mas-
tah's own desiah, De Lawd'll run de wintah an' yo' mammy'll
run de fiah.
I ain' skeered because de win' hit staht to raih
and blow, I ain't bothahed w'en he come er rattlin' at
de do'. Let him taih hisse'f an' shout, let him blow an'
bawl,
Dat's de time de branches shek an' bresh-wood
'mence to fall. W'en de sto'm er railin' an' de shettahs blowin'
'bout, Dat de time de fiah-place crack hits welcome
out.
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Tain' my livin' business fu' to trouble ner
enquiah, De Lawd'll min' de wintah an' my mammy'U
min' de fiah.
Ash-cake alius gits ez brown w'en February's
hyeah Ez it does in bakin' any othah time o' yeah. De bacon smell ez callin'-like, de kittle rock
an' sing, De same way in de wintah dat dey do it in de
spring ; Dey ain't no use in mopin' 'round an' lookin'
mad an' glum Erbout de wintah season, fu' hit's des plumb
boun' to come ;
An' ef it comes to runnin' t'ings I's willin* to
retiah, De Lawd'll min' de wintah an' my mammy'U
min' de fiah.
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THE FARM CHILD'S LULLABY
/^H, the Httle bird is rocking in the cradle ^^ of the wind,
And it's bye, my little wee one, bye ; The harvest all is gathered and the pippins all are binned ; Bye, my little wee one, bye ; The little rabbit's hiding in the golden shock
of corn, The thrifty squirrel's laughing bunny's idleness
to scorn ; You are smiling with the angels in your slum- ber, smile till morn ; So it's bye, my little wee one, bye.
There'll be plenty in the cellar, there'll be plenty on the shelf ; Bye, my little wee one, bye ; There'll be goodly store of sweetings for a dainty little elf; Bye, my little wee one, bye.
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The snow may be a-flying o'er the meadow and
the hill, The ice has checked the chatter of the little
laughing rill, But in your cosey cradle you are warm and
happy still ; So bye, my little wee one, bye.
Why, the Bob White thinks the snowflake is a brother to his song ; Bye, my little wee one, bye ; And the chimney sings the sweeter when the wind is blowing strong ; Bye, my little wee one, bye ; The granary's overflowing, full is cellar, crib,
and bin. The wood has paid its tribute and the ax has
ceased its din ; The winter may not harm you when you're sheltered safe within ; So bye, my little wee one, bye.
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THE PLACE WHERE THE RAINBOW ENDS
THERE'S a fabulous story Full of splendor and glory. That Arabian legends transcends; Of the wealth without measure, The coffers of treasure, At the place where the rainbow ends.
Oh, many have sought it, And all would have bought it.
With the blood we so recklessly spend ; But none has uncovered. The gold, nor discovered
The spot at the rainbow's end.
They have sought it in battle, And e'en where the rattle
Of dice with man's blasphemy blends ;
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But howe'er persuasive, It still proves evasive,
This place where the rainbow ends.
I own for my pleasure, I yearn not for treasure.
Though gold has a power it lends ; And I have a notion. To find without motion.
The place where the rainbow ends.
The pot may hold pottage, The place be a cottage,
That a humble contentment defends. Only joy fills its coffer, But spite of the scoffer.
There's the place where the rainbow ends.
Where care shall be quiet, And love shall run riot.
And I shall find wealth in my friends ;
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Then truce to the story, Of riches and glory ;
There's the place where the rainbow ends.
HOPE
DE dog go howlin' 'long de road, De night come shiverin' down; My back is tiahed of its load,
I cain't be fu' f'om town. No mattah ef de way is long. My haht is swellin' wid a song. No mattah 'bout de frownin' skies, I'll soon be home to see my Lize. ;
My shadder staggah on de way, It's monstous col' to-night;
But I kin hyeah my honey say " W'y bless me if de sight
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O' you ain't good fu' my so' eyes." (Dat talk's dis lak my lady Lize) I's so'y case de way was long But Lawd you bring me love an' song.
No mattah ef de way is long,
An' ef I trimbles so' I knows de fiah's burnin' strong,
Behime my Lizy's do'. An' daih my res' an' joy shell be, Whaih my ol' wife's awaitin' me —
Why what I keer fu' stingin' bias',
I see huh windah light at las'.
APPRECIATION
MY muvver's ist the nicest one 'At ever lived wiz folks ; She lets you have ze mostes' fun. An' laffs at all your jokes.
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I got a ol' maid auntie, too,
The worst you ever saw ; Her eyes ist bore you through and through, —
She ain't a bit Uke ma.
She's ist as slim as slim can be, An' when you want to slide
Down on ze balusters, w'y she Says 'at she's harrified.
She ain't as nice as Uncle ?en,
What says 'at little boys iWon't never grow to be big men
Unless they're fond of noise.
But muvver's nicer zan 'em all. She calls you, " precious lamb,"
An' let's you roll your ten-pin ball, An' spreads your bread wiz jam.
An' when you're bad, she ist looks sad. You fink she's goin' to cry;
An' when she don't you're awful glad. An' den you're good, Oh, my!
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At night, she takes ze softest hand.
An' lays it on your head, An' says " Be off to Sleepy-Land
By way o' trundle-bed."
So when you fink what muwer knows
An' aunts an' uncle tan't, It skeers a feller ; ist suppose
His muwer 'd been a aunt.
THE BARRIER
THE Midnight wooed the Morning Star, And prayed her : " Love come nearer ; Your swinging coldly there afar To me but makes you dearer."
The Morning Star was pale with dole
As said she, low replying: ** Oh, lover mine, soul of my soul,
For you I too am sighing."
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" But One ordained when we were born,
In spite of love's insistence, That night might only view the Morn
Adoring at a distance."
But as she spoke, the jealous Sun
Across the heavens panted ; " Oh, whining fools," he cried, " have done.
Your wishes shall be granted."
He hurled his flaming lances far ;
The twain stood unaffrighted. And Midnight and the Morning Star
Lay down in death united.
DAY
THE gray dawn on the mountain top Is slow to pass away. Still lays him by in sluggish dreams, The golden God of day. 40
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And then a light along the hills, Your laughter silvery gay ;
The Sun God wakes, a bluebird trills. You come and it is day.
TO DAN
STEP me now a bridal measure, Work give way to love and leisure, Hearts be free and hearts be gay — Doctor Dan doth wed to-day.
Diagnosis, cease your squalling — Check that scalpel's senseless bawling, Put that ugly knife away— Doctor Dan doth wed to-day.
'Tis no time for things unsightly. Life's the day and life goes lightly; Science lays aside her sway- Love rules Dr. Dan to-day.
Gather, gentlemen and ladies,
For the nuptial feast now made is,
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Swing your garlands, chant your lay For the pair who wed to-day.
Wish them happy days and many. Troubles few and griefs not any. Lift your brimming cups and say God bless them who wed to-day.
Then a cup to Cupid daring, Who for conquest ever faring, With his arrows dares assail E'en a doctor's coat of mail.
So with blithe and happy hymning And with harmless goblets brimming, Dance a step — musicians play — Doctor Dan doth wed to-day.
WHAT'S THE USE
HAT'S the use o' folks a-frownin' When the way's a little rough? 42
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Frowns lay out the road fur smilin' You'll be wrinkled soon enough. What's the use?
What's the use o' folks a-sighin'?
It's an awful waste o' breath, An' a body can't stand wastin'
What he needs so bad in death. What's the use?
What's the use o' even weepin'?
Might as well go long an' smile. Life, our longest, strongest arrow,
Only lasts a little while. What's the use?
A LAZY DAY
THE trees bend down along the stream, Where anchored swings my tiny boat. The day is one to drowse and dream
And list the thrush's throttling note. When music from his bosom bleeds Among the river's rustling reeds.
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No ripple stirs the placid pool,
When my adventurous line is cast,
A truce to sport, while clear and cool. The mirrored clouds slide softly past.
The sky gives back a blue divine,
And all the world's wide wealth is mine.
A pickerel leaps, a bow of light,
The minnows shine from side to side.
The first faint breeze comes up the tide —
I pause with half uplifted oar,
While night drifts down to claim the shore.
ADVICE
W'EN you full o' worry 'Bout yo' wo'k an' sich, W'en you kind o' bothered Case you can't get rich. An' yo' neighboh p'ospah
Past his jest desu'ts, An' de sneer of comerds Stuhes yo' healit an' hu'ts,
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Des don' pet yo' worries,
Lay 'em on de she'f, Tek a little trouble
Brothah, wid yo'se'f.
Ef a frien' comes mou'nin*
'Bout his awful case, You know you don' grieve him
Wid a gloomy face, But you wrassle wid him,
Try to tek him in ; Dough hit cracks yo' features,
Law, you smile lak sin. Ain't you good ez he is?
Don' you pine to def ; Tek a little trouble
Brothah, wid yo'se'f.
Ef de chillun pestahs,
An' de baby's bad, Ef yo' wife gits narvous.
An' you're gettin' mad,
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Des you grab yo' boot-strops,
Hoi' yo' body down, Stop a-tinkin' cuss-w'rds.
Chase away de frown, Knock de haid o' worry,
Twell dey ain' none lef ; Tek a little trouble,
Brothah, wid yo'se'f.
LIMITATIONS
T? F you's only got de powah fe' to blow a •^ little whistle,
Keep ermong de people wid de whistles. Ef you don't, you'll fin' out sho'tly dat you's th'owed yo' fines' feelin' In a place dat's all a bed o' thistles. 'Tain't no use a-goin' now, ez sho's you bo'n, A-squeakin' of yo' whistle 'g'inst a gread big ho'n.
Ef you ain't got but a teenchy bit o' victuals on de table, Whut' de use a-claimin' hit's a f eas' ?
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Fe' de folks is mighty 'spicious, an' dey's ap'
to come a-peerin', Lookin' fe' de scraps you lef at leas'. Wen de meal's a-hidin' f'om de meal-bin's top, You needn't talk to hide it; ef you sta'ts, des
stop.
Ef yo' min' kin only carry half a pint o' com- mon idees, Don' go roun' a-sayin' hit's a bar'l ; 'Ca'se de people gwine to test you, an' dey'U fin' out you's a-lyin', Den dey'll twis' yo' sayin's in a snarl. Wuss t'ing in de country dat I evah hyahed — A crow dot sat a-squawkin', " I's a mockin'- bird.'^
A GOLDEN DAY
T FOUND you and I lost you, -*- All on a gleaming day. The day was filled with sunshine. And the land was full of May.
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A golden bird was singing
Its melody divine, I found you and I loved you,
And all the v^orld was mine.
I found you and I lost you,
All on a golden day, But when I dream of you, dear.
It is always brimming May.
THE UNLUCKY APPLE
J^TT^WAS the apple that in Eden -*• Caused our father's primal fall; And the Trojan War, remember —
'Twas an apple caused it all. So for weeks I've hesitated,
You can guess the reason why, ■ For I want to tell my darling She's the apple of my eye.
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THE DISCOVERY
THESE are the days of elf s and fays : Who says that with the dreams of myth, These imps and elves disport themselves? Ah no, along the paths of song Do all the tiny folk belong.
Round all our homes, Kobolds and gnomes do daily cling, Then nightly fling their lanterns out. And shout on shout, they join the rout, And sing, and sing, within the sweet enchanted ring.
Where gleamed the guile of moonlight's smile, Once paused I, listening for a while, And heard the lay, unknown by day, — The fairies' dancing roundelay.
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Queen Mab was there, her shimmering hair Each fairy prince's heart's despair. She smiled to see their sparkling glee, And once I ween, she smiled at me.
Since when, you may by night or day, Dispute the sway of elf-folk gay; But, hear me, stay !
I've learned the way to find Queen Mab and elf and fay.
Where e'er by streams, the moonlight gleams, Or on a meadow softly beams, There, footing round on dew-lit ground, The fairy folk may all be found.
MORNING
THE mist has left the greening plain, The dew-drops shine like fairy rain. The coquette rose awakes again Her lovely self adorning. 50
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The Wind is hiding in the trees, A sighing, soothing, laughing tease, Until the rose says " Kiss me, please," 'Tis morning, 'tis morning.
With staff in hand and careless-free, The wanderer fares right jauntily. For towns and houses are, thinks he,
For scorning, for scorning. My soul is swift upon the wing. And in its deeps a song I bring ; Come, Love, and we together sing,
" 'Tis morning, 'tis morning."
THE AWAKENING
I DID not know that life could be so sweet, I did not know the hours could speed so fleet. Till I knew you, and life was sweet again. The days grew brief with love and lack of pain —
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I was a slave a few short days ago,
The powers of Kings and Princes now I know ;
I would not be again in bondage, save
I had your smile, the liberty I crave.
LOVE'S DRAFT
THE draft of love was cool and sweet You gave me in the cup, But, ah, love's fire is keen and fleet. And I am burning up.
Unless the tears I shed for you Shall quench this burning flame,
It will consume me through and through, And leave but ash — a name.
A MUSICAL
OUTSIDE the rain upon the street, The sky all grim of hue. Inside, the music-painful sweet. And yet I heard but you. 52
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As is a thrilling violin, So is your voice to me,
And still above the other strains, It sang in ecstasy.
TWELL DE NIGHT IS PAS*
ALL de night long twell de moon goes •^ ^ down,
Lovin' I set at huh feet. Den fu' de long jou'ney back f'om de town,
Ha'd, but de dreams mek it sweet.
All de night long twell de break of de day,
Dreamin' agin in my sleep, Mandy comes drivin' my sorrers away,
Axin' me, " Wha' fu' you weep ? "
All de day long twell de sun goes down,
Smilin', I ben' to my hoe, Fu' dough de weddah git nasty an' frown,
One place I know I kin go.
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All my life long twell de night has pas'
Let de wo'k come ez it will, So dat I fin' you, my honey, at las',
Somewhaih des ovah de hill.
BLUE
STANDIN' at de winder, Feelin' kind o' glum, Listenin' to de raindrops
Play de kettle drum, Lookin' crost de medders
Swimmin' lak a sea; Lawd 'a' mussy on us, What's de good o' me?
Can't go out a-hoein'.
Wouldn't ef I could; Groun' too wet fu' huntin',
Fishin' ain't no good. Too much noise fo' sleepin*.
No one hyeah to chat; Des mus' stan' an' listen
To dat pit-a-pat.
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Hills is gittin' misty,
Valley's gittin' dahk; iWatch-dog's 'mence a-howlin',
Rathah have 'em ba'k Dan a-moanin' solemn
Somewhaih out o' sight ; Rain-crow des a-chucklin' —
Dis is his delight.
Mandy, bring my banjo,
Bring de chillen in, Come in f 'om de kitchen,
I feel sick ez sin. Call in Uncle Isaac,
Call Aunt Hannah, too, Tain't no use in talkin',
Chile, I's sholy blue.
DREAMIN' TOWN
COME away to dreamin' town, Mandy Lou, Mandy Lou, Whaih de skies don' nevah frown, Mandy Lou ;
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Whaih de streets is paved with goV, Whaih de days is nevah col', An' no sheep strays f'om de fol', Mandy Lou.
Ain't you tiahed of every day,
Mandy Lou, Mandy Lou, Tek my han' an' come away,
Mandy Lou, To the place whaih dreams is King, Whaih my heart hoi's everything, An' my soul can alius sing, Mandy Lou.
Come away to dream wid me,
Mandy Lou, Mandy Lou, Whaih our hands an' hea'ts are free,
Mandy Lou ; Whaih de sands is shinin' white, Whaih de rivahs glistens bright,
Mandy Lou.
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Come away to dreamland town, Mandy Lou, Mandy Lou,
Whaih de fruit is bendin' down, Des fu' you.
Smooth your brow of lovin' brown.
An' my love will be its crown;
Come away to dreamin' town, Mandy Lou.
AT NIGHT
WHUT time 'd dat clock strike? Nine ? No — eight ; I didn't think hit was so late. Aer chew ! I must 'a' got a cough,
I raally b'lieve I did doze off — Hit's mighty soothin' to de tiah, A-dozin' dis way by de fiah; Oo oom — hit feels so good to stretch I sutny is one weary wretch !
Look hyeah, dat boy done gone to sleep ! He des ain't wo'th his boa'd an' keep;
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I des don't b'lieve he'd bat his eyes If Gab'el called him fo'm de skies !
But sleepin's good dey ain't no doubt — Dis pipe o' mine is done gone out.
Don't bu'n a minute, bless my soul, Des please to han' me dat ah coal.
You 'Lias git up now, my son,
Seems lak my nap is des begun; You sutny mus' ma'k down de day
Wen I treats comp'ny dis away ! iW'y, Brother Jones, dat drowse come on,
An' laws ! I dremp dat you was gone ! You 'Lias, whaih yo' mannahs, suh,
To hyeah me call an* nevah stuh !
To-morrer mo'nin' w'en I call
Dat boy'll be sleepin' to beat all. Don't mek no diffunce how I roah.
He'll des lay up an' sno' and sno'. Now boy, you done hyeahed whut I said.
You bettah tek yo'se'f yo baid. Case ef you gits me good an' wrong
I'll mek dat sno' a diffunt song. 58
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Dis wood fiah is invitin' dho',
Hit seems to wa'm de ve'y flo' — An' nuffin' ain't a whit ez sweet,
Ez settin' toastin' of yo' feet. Hit mek you drowsy, too, but La!
Hyeah, 'Lias, don't you hyeah yo' ma? Ef I gits sta'ted f'om dis cheah
I' lay, you scamp, I'll mek you heah !
To-morrer mo'nin' I kin bawl
Twell all de neighbohs hyeah me call; An' you'll be snoozin' des ez deep
Ez if de day was made fu' sleep; Hit's funny when you got a cough
Somehow yo' voice seems too fu' off — Can't wake dat boy fu' all I say,
I reckon he'll sleep daih twell day!
KIDNAPED
T HELD my heart so far from harm, •■- I let it wander far and free In mead and mart, without alarm. Assured it must come back to me.
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And all went well till on a day, Learned Dr. Cupid wandered by
A search along our sylvan way For some peculiar butterfly.
A flash of wings, a hurried drive, A flutter and a short-lived flit;
This Scientist, as I am alive
Had seen my heart and captured it.
Right tightly now 'tis held among The specimens that he has trapped,
And sings (Oh, love is ever young), Tis passing sweet to be kidnaped.
COMPENSATION
BECAUSE I had loved so deeply, Because I had loved so long, God in His great compassion Gave me the gift of song. 60
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Because I have loved so vainly, And sung with such faltering breath,
The Master in infinite mercy Offers the boon of Death.
WINTER'S APPROACH
DE sun hit shine an' de win' hit blow, or Brer Rabbit be a-layin' low, He know dat de wintah time a-comin', De huntah man he walk an' wait, He walk right by Brer Rabbit's gate — He know —
De dog he lick his sliverin' chop,
An' he tongue 'gin' his mouf go flop, flop —
He- He rub his nose fu' to clah his scent So's to tell w'ich way dat cotton-tail went,
He—
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De huntah's wife she set an' spin
A good wahm coat fu' to wrop him in
She- She look at de skillet an' she smile, oh my I An' ol' Brer Rabbit got to sholy fly.
Dey know.
ANCHORED
TF thro' the sea of night which here sur- ^ rounds me,
I could swim out beyond the farthest star, Break every barrier of circumstance that bounds me,
And greet the Sun of sweeter life afar,
Tho' near you there is passion, grief, and sorrow. And out there rest and joy and peace and all, I should renounce that beckoning for to- morrow, I could not choose to go beyond your call. 62
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THE VETERAN
UNDERNEATH the autumn sky, Haltingly, the lines go by. Ah, would steps were blithe and gay, As when first they marched away, Smile on lip and curl on brow, — Only white-faced gray-beards now, Standing on life's outer verge, E'en the marches sound a dirge.
Blow, you bugles, play, you fife. Rattle, drums, for dearest life. Let the flags wave freely so. As the marching legions go, Shout, hurrah and laugh and jest, This is memory at its best. (Did you notice at your quip. That old comrade's quivering lip?)
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Ah, I see them as they come. Stumbling with the rumbling drum; But a sight more sad to me E'en than these ranks could be Was that one with cane upraised Who stood by and gazed and gazed. Trembling, solemn, lips compressed, Longing to be with the rest.
Did he dream of old alarms, As he stood, "presented arms"? Did he think of field and camp And the unremitting tramp Mile on mile — the lonely guard When he kept his midnight ward? Did he dream of wounds and scars In that bitter war of wars?
What of that? He stood and stands In my memory — trembling hands, Whitened beard and cane and all As if waiting for the call
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Once again : " To arms, my sons," And his ears hear far-off guns, Roll of cannon and the tread Of the legions of the Dead I
YESTERDAY AND TO-MORROW
YESTERDAY I held your hand^ Reverently I pressed it, And its gentle yieldingness From my soul I blessed it.
But to-day I sit alone, Sad and sore repining; Must our gold forever know Flames for the refining?
Yesterday I walked with you. Could a day be sweeter? Life was all a lyric song Set to tricksy meter.
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Ah, to-day is like a dirge, — Place my arms around you, Let me feel the same dear joy As when first I found you.
Let me once retrace my steps, From these roads unpleasant. Let my heart and mind and soul All ignore the present.
Yesterday the iron seared And to-day means sorrow. Pause, my soul, arise, arise. Look where gleams the morrow.
THE CHANGE
OVE used to carry a bow, you know, -' But now he carries a taper; It is either a length of wax aglow, Or a twist of lighted paper. 66
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I pondered a little about the scamp. And then I decided to follow
His wandering journey to field and camp, Up hill, down dale or hollow.
I dogged the rollicking, gay, young blade In every species of weather; Till, leading me straight to the home of a maid He left us there together.
And then I saw it, oh, sweet surprise.
The taper it set a-burning The love-light brimming my lady's eyes.
And my heart with the fire of yearning.
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THE CHASE
THE wind told the little leaves to hurry, And chased them down the way, While the mother tree laughed loud in glee, For she thought her babes at play.
The cruel wind and the rain laughed loudly, We'll bury them deep, they said,
And the old tree grieves, and the little leaves Lie low, all chilled and dead.
SUPPOSE
IF 'twere fair to suppose That your heart were not taken, That the dew from the rose Petals still were not shaken, 68
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I should pluck you,
Howe'er you should thorn me and scorn me, And wear you for life as the green of the bower.
If 'twere fair to suppose
That that road was for vagrants, That the wind and the rose,
Counted all in their fragrance; Oh, my dear one,
By love, I should take you and make you. The green of my life from the scintillant hour.
THE DEATH OF THE FIRST BORN
COVER him over with daisies white, And eke with the poppies red. Sit with me here by his couch to-night, For the First-Born, Love, is dead.
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Poor little fellow, he seemed so fair As he lay in my jealous arms;
Silent and cold he is lying there Stripped of his darling charms.
Lusty and strong he had grown forsooth. Sweet with an infinite grace. Proud in the force of his conquering youth, Laughter alight in his face.
Oh, but the blast, it was cruel and keen, And ah, but the chill it was rare; The look of the winter-kissed flow'r you've seen When meadows and fields were bare.
Can you not wake from this white, cold sleep And speak to me once again? 70
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True that your slumber is deep, so deep, But deeper by far Is my pain.
Cover him over with daisies white, And eke with the poppies red.
Sit with me here by his couch to-night, For the First-Bom, Love, is dead.
BEIN' BACK HOME
HOME agin, an* home to stay — Yes, it's nice to be away. Plenty things to do an' see. But the old place seems to me Jest about the proper thing. Mebbe 'ts 'cause the mem'ries cling Closer 'round yore place o' birth 'N ary other spot on earth.
W'y it's nice jest settin' here, Lookin' out an' seein' clear, 'Thout no smoke, ner dust, ner haze In these sweet October days.
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What's as good as that there lane, Kind o' browned from last night's
rain? 'Pears like home has got the start When the goal's a feller's heart.
What's as good as that there jay Screechin' up'ards towards the gray Skies? An' tell me, what's as fine As that full-leafed pumpkin vine? Tow'rin' buildin's — yes, they're good; But in sight o' field and wood, Then a feller understan's 'Bout the house not made with han's.
Let the others rant an' roam When they git away from home; Jest gi' me my old settee An' my pipe beneath a tree ; Sight o' medders green an' still, Now and then a gentle hill, Apple orchards, full o' fruit, Nigh a cider press to boot — 72
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That's the thing jest done up brown; D'want to be too nigh to town; Want to have the smells an' sights, An' the dreams o' long still nights, With the friends you used to know: In the keerless long ago — Same old cronies, same old folks. Same old cider, same old jokes.
Say, it's nice a-gittin' back, When yore pulse is growin' slack. An' yore breath begins to wheeze Like a fair-set valley breeze; Kind o' nice to set aroun' On the old familiar groun', Knowin' that when Death does come, That he'll find you right at home.
I
THE OLD CABIN
N de dead of night I sometimes. Git to t'inkin' of de pas'
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An' de days w'en slavery helt me In my mis'ry — ha'd an' fas'.
Dough de time was mighty tryin', In dese houahs somehow hit seem
Dat a brightah Hght come slippin' Thoo de kivahs of my dream.
An' my min' fu'gits de whuppins
Draps de feah o' block an' lash An' flies straight to somep'n' joyful
In a secon's lightnin' flash. Den hit seems I see a vision
Of a dearah long ago Of de childern tumblin' roun' me
By my rough ol' cabin do*.
Talk about yo' go'geous mansions
An' yo' big house great an' gran', Des bring up de fines' palace
Dat you know in all de Ian'. But dey's somep'n' dearah to me,
Somep'n' faihah to my eyes In dat cabin, less you bring me
To yo' mansion in de skies.
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I kin see de light a-shinin'
Thoo de chinks atween de logs, I kin hyeah de way-off bayin'
Of my mastah's huntin' dogs, An' de neighin' of de hosses
Stampin' on de ol' bahn flo', But above dese soun's de laughin'
At my deah ol' cabin do'.
We would gethah daih at evenin',
All my frien's 'ud come erroun' An' hit wan't no time, twell, bless you,
You could hyeah de banjo's soun'. You could see de dahkies dancin'
Pigeon wing an' heel an' toe, — Joyous times I tell you people
Roun' dat same ol' cabin do'.
But at times my t'oughts gits saddah,
Ez I riccolec' de folks, An' dey frolickin' an' talkin'
Wid dey laughin' an' dey jokes. An' hit hu'ts me w'en I membahs
Dat I'll nevah see no mo'
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Dem ah faces gethered smilin' Roun' dat po' ol' .cabin do'.
DESPAIR
T ET me close the eyes of my soul -*— ' That I may not see What stands between thee and me.
Let me shut the ears of my heart
That I may not hear A voice that drowns yours, my dear.
Let me cut the cords of my life,
Of my desolate being, Since cursed is my hearing and seeing.
CIRCUMSTANCES ALTER CASES
TIM Murphy's gon' walkin' wid Maggie O'Neill,
O chone! If I was her muther, I'd frown on sich foolin', O chone!
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I'm sure its unmutherlike, darin' an' wrong To let a gyrul hear tell the sass an' the song Of every young felly that happens along, O chone!
An' Murphy, the things that's be'n sed of his doin',
O chone ! 'Tis a cud that no dacent folks wants to be chewin',
O chone! If he came to my door wid his cane on a twirl, Fur to thry to make love to you, Biddy, my
girl. Ah, wouldn't I send him away wid a whirl, O chone!
They say the gossoon is indecent and dirty,
O chone ! In spite of his dressin' so.
O chone! Let him dress up ez foine ez a king or a queen, Let him put on more wrinkles than ever was seen,
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You'll be sure he's no match for my little colleen,
O chone!
Faith the two is comin' back an' their walk is all over,
O chone! 'Twas a pretty short walk fur to take wid a lover,
O chone! Why, I believe that Tim Murphy's a kumin'
this way, Ah, Biddy jest look at him steppin' so gay, I'd niver belave what the gossipers say, O chone!
He's turned in the gate an' he's coming a- caperin',
O chone! Go Biddy, go quick an' put on a clane apern,
O chone!
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Be quick as ye kin fur he's right at the dure ; Come in, master Tim, fur ye're welcome I'm
shure. We were talkin' o' ye jest a minute before. O chone!
TILL THE WIND GETS RIGHT
/^H the breeze is blowin' balmy ^^ And the sun is in a haze; There's a cloud jest givin' coolness,
To the laziest of days. There are crowds upon the lakeside.
But the fish refuse to bite, So I'll wait and go a-fishin'
When the wind gets right.
Now my boat tugs at her anchor, Eager now to kiss the spray.
While the little waves are callin' Drowsy sailor come away,
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There's a harbor for the happy, And its sheen is just in sight,
But I won't set sail to get there, Till the wind gets right.
That's my trouble, too, I reckon,
I've been waitin' all too long, Tho' the days were always
Still the wind is always wrong. An' when Gabriel blows his trumpet,
In the day o' in the night, I will still be found waitin',
Till the wind gets right.
A SUMMER NIGHT
QUMMAH is de lovin' time — ^ Do' keer what you say. Night is alius peart an' prime,
Bettah dan de day. Do de day is sweet an' good.
Birds a-singin' fine, Pines a-smellin' in de wood, —
But de night is mine. 80
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Rivah whisperin' " howdy do,"
Ez it pass you by — Moon a-lookin' down at you,
Winkin' on de sly. Frogs a-croakin' f'om de pon',
Singin' bass dey fill, An' you listen way beyon'
or man whippo'will.
Hush up, honey, tek my han',
Mek yo' footsteps light; Somep'n' kin' o' hoi's de Ian'
On a summah night. Somep'n' dat you nevah sees
An' you nevah hyeahs, But you feels it in de breeze,
Somep'n' nigh to teahs.
Somep'n' nigh to teahs? dat's so;
But hit's nigh to smiles. An' you feels it ez you go
Down de shinin' miles. 8i
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Tek my han', my little dove;
Hush an' come erway — Summah is de time fu' love,
Night-time beats de day!
AT SUNSET TIME
A DOWN the west a golden glow •^ ^ Sinks burning in the sea, And all the dreams of long ago
Come flooding back to me. The past has writ a story strange
Upon my aching heart, But time has wrought a subtle change,
My wounds have ceased to smart.
No more the quick delight of youth,
No more the sudden pain, I look no more for trust or truth
Where greed may compass gain. What, was it I who bared my heart
Through unrelenting years, And knew the sting of misery's dart,
The tang of sorrow's tears? 82
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'Tis better now, I do not weep,
I do not laugh nor care ; My soul and spirit half asleep
Drift aimless everywhere. We float upon a sluggish stream,
We ride no rapids mad, While life is all a tempered dream
And every joy half sad.
NIGHT
QILENCE, and whirling worlds afar ^ Through all encircling skies. What floods come o'er the spirit's bar. What wondrous thoughts arise.
The earth, a mantle falls away, And, winged, we leave the sod ;
Where shines in its eternal sway The majesty of God.
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AT LOAFING-HOLT
SINCE I left the city's heat For this sylvan, cool retreat, High upon the hill-side here Where the air is clean and clear, I have lost the urban ways. Mine are calm and tranquil days, Sloping lawns of green are mine. Clustered treasures of the vine; Long forgotten plants I know, Where the best wild berries grow. Where the greens and grasses sprout, When the elders blossom out. Now I am grown weather-wise With the lore of winds and skies. Mine the song whose soft refrain Is the sigh of summer rain. Seek you where the woods are cool. Would you know the shady pool
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Where, throughout the lazy day, Speckled beauties drowse or play? Would you find in rest or peace Sorrow's permanent release? — Leave the city, grim and gray. Come with me, ah, come away. Do you fear the winter chill, Deeps of snow upon the hill? 'Tis a mantle, kind and warm. Shielding tender shoots from harm. Do you dread the ice-clad streams,— They are mirrors for your dreams. Here's a rouse, when summer's past To the raging winter's blast. Let him roar and let him rout, We are armored for the bout. How the logs are glowing, see! Who sings louder, they or he? Could the city be more gay? Bum your bridges ! Come away !
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WHEN A FELLER'S ITCHIN' TO BE SPANKED
"fT 7"EN us fellers stomp around, makin' lots ^ ^ o' noise, Gramma says, " There's certain times comes
to little boys Wen they need a shingle or the soft side of
a plank ; " She says " we're a-itchin' for a right good spank."
An' she says, " Now thes you wait, It's a-comin' — soon or late. Wen a fellers itchin' fer a spank."
Wen a feller's out o' school, you know how he
feels, Gramma says we wriggle 'roun like a lot o'
eels. Wy it's like a man that's thes home from out
o' jail.
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What's the use o' scoldin' if we pull Tray's tail?
Gramma says, tho', " thes you wait,
It's a-comin' — soon or late, You'se the boys that's itchin' to be spanked."
Cats is funny creatures an' I like to make 'em
yowl, Gramma alwus looks at me with a awful scowl An' she says, " Young gentlemen, mamma
should be thanked Ef you'd get your knickerbockers right well
spanked."
An' she says, " Now thes you wait, It's a-comin' — soon or late," Wen a feller's itchin' to be spanked.
Ef you fin' the days is gettin' awful hot
in school An' you know a swimmin' place where it's nice
and cool, Er you know a cat-fish hole brimmin' full o'
fish. Whose a-goin' to set around school and wish ?
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'Tain't no use to hide your bait. It's a-comin' — soon or late, Wen a feller's itchin' to be spanked.
or folks know most ever'thing 'bout the
world, I guess, Gramma does, we wish she knowed thes a
little less, But I alwus kind o' think it 'ud be as well Ef they wouldn't alwus have to up an' tell; We kids wish 'at they'd thes wait. It's a-comin' — soon or late, Wen a feller's itchin' to be spanked.
THE RIVER OF RUIN
ALONG by the river of ruin They dally — the thoughtless ones, They dance and they dream By the side of the stream. As long as the river runs.
Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow
It seems all so pleasant and cheery — No thought of the morrow is theirs, And their faces are bright With the sun of delight, And they dream of no night-brooding cares.
The women wear garlanded tresses. The men have rings on their hands. And they sing in their glee. For they think they are free — They that know not the treacherous sands.
Ah, but this be a venturesome journey,
Forever those sands are ashrift.
And a step to one side
Means a grasp of the tide.
And the current is fearful and swift.
For once in the river of ruin,
What boots it, to do or to dare,
For down we must go
In the turbulent flow,
To the desolate sea of Despair.
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TO HER
"\7'0UR presence like a benison to me ■*• Wakes my sick soul to dreamful ecstasy, I fancy that some old Arabian night Saw you my houri and my heart's delight.
And wandering forth beneath the passionate moon, Your love-strung zither and my soul in tune, We knew the joy, the haunting of the pain That like a flame thrills through me now again.
To-night we sit where sweet the spice winds blow, A wind the northland lacks and ne'er shall know, With clasped hands and spirits all aglow As in Arabia in the long ago. 90
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A LOVE LETTER
OH, I des received a letter f'om de sweetest little gal ;
Oh, my; oh, my. She's my lovely little sweetheart an' her name is Sal:
Oh, my; oh, my.
She writes me dat she loves me an' she loves me true, She wonders ef I'll tell huh dat I loves huh, too; An' my heaht's so full o' music dat I do' know what to do; Oh, my; oh, my.
I got a man to read it an' he read it fine;
Oh, my; oh, my. Dey ain' no use denying dat her love is mine;
Oh, my; oh, my.
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But hyeah's de t'ing dat's puttin' me in such
a awful plight, I t'ink of huh at mornin' an' I dream of huh
at night; But how's I gwine to cou't huh w'en I do'
know how to write? Oh, my; oh, my.
My heaht is bubblin' ovah wid de t'ings I want to say;
Oh, my; oh, my. An' dey's lots of folks to copy what I tell 'em f u' de pay ;
Oh, my; oh, my. But dey's t'ings dat I's a-t'inkin' dat is only
fu' huh ears, An' I couldn't lu'n to write 'em ef I took a
dozen years; So to go down daih an' tell huh is de only way, it 'pears;
Oh, my; oh, my.
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AFTER MANY DAYS
T'VE always been a faithful man -■- An' tried to live for duty, But the stringent mode of life Has somewhat lost its beauty.
The story of the generous bread
He sent upon the waters, Which after many days returns
To trusting sons and daughters,
Had oft impressed me, so I want
My soul influenced by it, And bought a loaf of bread and sought
A stream where I could try it.
I cast my bread upon the waves And fancied then to await it;
It had not floated far away
When a fish came up and ate it.
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And if I want both fish and bread, And surely both I'm wanting,
About the only way I see Is for me to go fishing.
LIZA MAY
IITTLE brown face full of smiles, -^ And a baby's guileless wiles, Liza May, Liza May.
Eyes a-peeping thro' the fence With an interest intense, Liza May.
Ah, the gate is just ajar, And the meadow is not far,
Liza May, Liza May.
And the road feels very sweet, To your little toddling feet, Liza May.
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Ah, you roguish runaway, What will toiling mother say,
Liza May, Liza May?
What care you who smile to greet Ever>^one you chance to meet, Liza May?
Soft the mill-race sings its song, Just a little way along,
Liza May, Liza May.
But the song is full of guile. Turn, ah turn, your steps the while, Liza May.
You have caught the gleam and glow Where the darkling waters flow,
Liza May, Liza May.
Flash of ripple, bend of bough. Where are all the angels now? Liza May.
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Now a mother's eyes intense Gazing o'er a shabby fence,
Liza May, Liza May.
Then a mother's anguished face Peering all around the place, Liza May.
Hear the agonizing call For a mother's all in all,
Liza May, Liza May.
Hear a mother's maddened prayer To the calm unanswering air, Liza May.
What's become of — Liza May? What has darkened all the day?
Liza May, Liza May.
Ask the waters dark and fleet, If they know the smiling, sweet Liza May.
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Call her, call her as you will, On the meadow, on the hill,
Liza May, Liza May.
Through the brush or beaten track Echo only gives you back, Liza May.
Ah, but you were loving — sweet, On your little toddling feet,
Liza May, Liza May.
But through all the coming years. Must a mother breathe with tears, Liza May.
THE MASTERS
/^H, who is the Lord of the land of life, ^^ When hotly goes the fray? When, fierce we smile in the midst of strife Then whom shall we obey?
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Oh, Love is the Lord of the land of Hfe Who holds a monarch's sway;
He wends with wish of maid and wife. And him you must obey.
Then who is the Lord of the land of life,
At setting of the sun? Whose word shall sway when Peace is rife
And all the fray is done?
Then Death is the Lord of the land of life.
When your hot race is run. Meet then his scythe and pruning-knife
When the fray is lost or won.
TROUBLE IN DE KITCHEN
DEY was oncet a awful quoil 'twixt de skillet an' de pot; De pot was des a-bilin' an' de skillet sho' was hot.
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Dey slurred each othah's colah an' dey called
each othah names, Wile de coal-oil can des gu-gled, po'in oil
erpon de flames.
De pot, hit called de skillet des a flat, disfig-
gered t'ing. An' de skillet 'plied dat all de pot could do
was set an' sing, An' he 'lowed dat dey was 'lusions dat he
wouldn't stoop to mek 'Case he reckemize his juty, an' he had too
much at steak.
Well, at dis de pot biled ovah, case his tempah
gittin' highah. An' de skillet got to sputterin', den de fat
was in de fiah. Mistah fiah lay daih smokin' an' a-t'inkin'
to hisse'f, Wile de peppah-box us nudgin' of de gingah
on de she'f.
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Den dey all des lef hit to 'im, 'bout de trouble
an' de talk ; An' howevah he decided, w'y dey bofe 'u'd
walk de chalk; But de fiah uz so 'sgusted how dey quoil an'
dey shout Dat he cooled 'em off, I reckon, w'en he
puffed an' des went out.
THE QUILTING
DOLLY sits a-quilting by her mother, stitch by stich, Gracious, how my pulses throb, how my
fingers itch, .While I note her dainty waist and her slender
hand, As she matches this and that, she stitches
strand by strand. And I long to tell her Life's a quilt and I'm
a patch; Love will do the stitching if she'll only be my
match.
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PARTED
OHE wrapped her soul in a lace of lies, ^ With a prime deceit to pin it; And I thought I was gaining a fearsome prize, So I staked my soul to win it.
We wed and parted on her complaint,
And both were a bit of barter, Tho' I'll confess that I'm no saint,
I'll swear that she's no martyr.
FOREVER
T HAD not known before •*■ Forever was so long a word. The slow stroke of the clock of time I had not heard.
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'Tis hard to learn so late;
It seems no sad heart really learns, But hopes and trusts and doubts and fears,
And bleeds and burns.
The night is not all dark. Nor is the day all it seems.
But each may bring me this relief — My dreams and dreams.
I had not known before
That Never was so sad a word, So wrap me in forgetfulness —
I have not heard.
CHRISTMAS
OTEP wid de banjo an' glide wid de fiddle,
^ Dis ain' no time fu' to pottah an' piddle ;
Fu' Christmas is comin', it's right on de way,
An' dey's houahs to dance 'fo' de break o'
de day.
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What if de win' is taihin' an' whistlin'? Look at dat fiah how hit's spittin' an' bristHn' ! Heat in de ashes an' heat in de cindahs, or mistah Fros' kin des look thoo de windahs.
Heat up de toddy an' pas' de wa'm glasses, Don' stop to shivah at blowin's an' blas'es,
Keep on de kittle an' keep it a-hummin', Eat all an' drink all, dey's lots mo' a-comin'.
Look hyeah, Maria, don't open dat oven. Want all dese people a-pushin' an' shovin'?
Res' f'om de dance? Yes, you done cotch dat odah. Mammy done cotch it, an' law! hit nigh flo'd huh ; 'Possum is monst'ous fu' mekin' folks fin' it ! Come, draw yo' cheers up, I's sho' I do' min' it.
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Eat up dem critters, you men folks an* wimmens, 'Possums ain' skace w'en dey's lots o' pu'simmons.
ROSES AND PEARLS
"VTOUR spoken words are roses fine and
■*■ sweet, The songs you sing are perfect pearls of
sound. How lavish nature is about your feet. To scatter flowers and jewels both around.
Blushing the stream of petal beauty flows, Softly the white strings trickle down and
shine. Oh ! speak to me, my love, I crave a rose. Sing me a song, for I would pearls were mine.
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RAIN-SONGS
THE rain streams down like harp-strings from the sky; The wind, that world-old harpist, sitteth by ; And ever as he sings his low refrain.
He plays upon the harp-strings of the rain.
A LOST DREAM
AH, I have changed, I do not know Why lonely hours affect me so. In days of yore, this were not wont, No loneliness my soul could daunt.
For me too serious for my age, The weighty tome of hoary sage, Until with puzzled heart astir, One God-giv'n night, I dreamed of her.
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I loved no woman, hardly knew More of the sex that strong men woo Than cloistered monk within his cell; But now the dream is lost, and hell
Holds me her captive tight and fast Who prays and struggles for the past. No living maid has charmed my eyes. But now, my soul is wonder-wise.
For I have dreamed of her and seen Her red-brown tresses, ruddy sheen, Have known her sweetness, lip to lip. The joy of her companionship.
When days were bleak and winds were rude, She shared my smiling solitude. And all the bare hills walked with me To hearken winter's melody.
And when the spring came o'er the land We fared together hand in hand Beneath the linden's leafy screen That waved above us faintly green. 1 06
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In summer, by the river-side, Our souls were kindred with the tide That floated onward to the sea As we swept toward Eternity.
The bird's call and the water's drone Were all for us and us alone. The water-fall that sang all night Was her companion, my delight.
And e'en the squirrel, as he sped Along the branches overhead, Half kindly and half envious, Would chatter at the joy of us.
'Twas but a dream, her face, her hair, The spring-time sweet, the winter bare. The summer when the woods we ranged,- 'Twas but a dream, but all is changed.
Yes, all is changed and all has fled. The dream is broken, shattered, dead. And yet, sometimes, I pray to know How just a dream could hold me so. 107
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A SONG
/^N a summer's day as I sat by a stream,
^^ A dainty maid came by,
And she blessed my sight Hke a rosy dream, And left me there to sigh, to sigh. And left me there to sigh, to sigh.
On another day as I sat by the stream, This maiden paused a while.
Then I made me bold as I told my dream, She heard it with a smile, a smile. She heard it with a smile, a smile.
Oh, the months have fled and the autumn's red, The maid no more goes by ; For my dream came true and the maid I wed. And now no more I sigh, I sigh, And now no more I sigh. 1 08
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A SONG
THOU art the soul of a summer's day, Thou art the breath of the rose. But the summer is fled And the rose is dead Where are they gone, who knows, who knows ?
Thou art the blood of my heart o' hearts. Thou art my soul's repose,
But my heart grows numb
And my soul is dumb Where art thou, love, who knows, who knows ?
Thou art the hope of my after years — Sun for my winter snows
But the years go by
'Neath a clouded sky. Where shall we meet, who knows, who knows ?
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