To chase a never-reached mirage Across the hot, white sand, And choke and die, while gazing on Its green and watered strand.

(A Warning) ‘Simmons ripenin’ in de fall, You better run, Brudder 'Possum, run! Mockin’ bird commence to call,

When buffeted and beaten by life’s… When by the bitter cares of life o… I want no surer haven than your ar… I want no sweeter heaven than your… When over my life’s way there fall…

Some men enjoy the constant strife Of days with work and worry rife, But that is not my dream of life: I think such men are crazy. For me, a life with worries few,

When morning shows her first faint… I think of the tender blush That crept so gently to your cheek When first my love I dared to spe… How, in your glance, a dawning ray

Girl of fifteen, I see you each morning from my win… As you pass on your way to school. I do more than see, I watch you. I furtively draw the curtain aside…

O black and unknown bards of long… How came your lips to touch the sa… How, in your darkness, did you com… The power and beauty of the minstr… Who first from midst his bonds lif…

In a backwoods town Lived Deacon Brown, And he was a miser old; He would trust no bank, So he dug, and sank

The snow has ceased its fluttering… The wind sunk to a whisper light, An ominous stillness fills the nig… A pause—a hush. At last, a sound that breaks the s…

(Negro Love Song) Breeze a-sighin’ and a-blowin’, Southern summer night. Stars a-gleamin’ and a-glowin’, Moon jes shinin’ right.

Look heah! 'Splain to me de reaso… Why you said to Squire Lee, Der wuz twelve ole chicken thieves In dis heah town, includin’ me. Ef he tole you dat, my brudder,

Old Omar, jolly sceptic, it may b… That, after all, you found the mag… To life and all its mystery, and… Must own you have almost persuaded…

Young man— Young man— Your arm’s too short to box with… But Jesus spake in a parable, and… A certain man had two sons.

I’m back down in ole Georgy w’ere… W’ere de cawn it is a-tasslin’, gi… W’ere de cott’n is a-openin’ an’ a… An’ de ripenin’ o’ de sugah-cane i… An’ de locus’ is a-singin’ f’om ev…