I ‘ve journeyed ’roun’ consid’able… An’ I 've learned a little of the… But in spite of all my travelling… I 've got one notion in my head, t… An’ it is that the folks I meet i…

Come, essay a sprightly measure, Tuned to some light song of pleasu… Maidens, let your brows be crowned As we foot this merry round. From the ground a voice is singing…

MAMMY’S in de kitchen, an’ de d… All de pickaninnies climb an’ tug… Gittin’ to de winder, stickin’ dah… Evah one ermong us des all nose an… 'Whut’s she cookin’, Isaac?' 'Whu…

W’EN de evenin’ shadders Come a—glidin’ down, Fallin’ black an’ heavy Ovah hill an’ town, Ef you listen keerful,

‘Twixt 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

YOU kin talk about yer anthems An’ yer arias an’ sich, An’ yer modern choir—singin’ That you think so awful rich; But you orter heerd us youngsters

Thou arrant robber, Death! Couldst thou not find Some lesser one than he To rob of breath,— Some poorer mind

AIN’T it nice to have a mammy W’en you kin’ o’ tiahed out Wid a—playin’ in de meddah, An’ a—runnin’ roun’ about Till hit’s made you mighty hongry,

Oh, de clouds is mighty heavy An’ de rain is mighty thick; Keep a song up on de way. An’ de waters is a rumblin’ On de boulders in de crick,

Bones a—gittin’ achy, Back a—feelin’ col’, Han’s a—growin’ shaky, Jes’ lak I was ol’. Fros’ erpon de meddah

'SUNSHINE on de medders, Greenness on de way; Dat’s de blessed reason I sing all de day.' Look hyeah! Whut you axin’?

OH, I am hurt to death, my Love; The shafts of Fate have pierced m… And I am sick and weary of The endless pain and smart. My soul is weary of the strife,

This is the debt I pay Just for one riotous day, Years of regret and grief, Sorrow without relief. Pay it I will to the end —

A KNOCK is at her door, but she… Strange dews have washed the paint… She does not rise, but, ah, this f… And knows that he will find her al… So opens he the door, and with sof…

'Tis an old deserted homestead On the outskirts of the town, Where the roof is all moss—covered… And the walls are tumbling down; But around that little cottage