Why was I born if this ends all,
All that I'll ever be;
To feel a spirit that's divine,
No chance to let it free.
...
J's 'bout d'hk I com' hom' ploddin',
Tired and ro'sted from de sun.
Tho' I wo'k f'om mo'nin' early,
Seems m' tas' ez never don
...
Der's no use bein' scared o' cungers,
An' lettin' black cats turn you back,
You jus' go on about your business,
...
The fields are white;
The laborers are few;
Yet say the idle:
There's nothing to do.
...
Oh; gently conscience thou scourgest well!
Would'st thou give ease if I should tell,
The secret crime o'er which I weep,
...
My dearest child, I have no wealth to give you,
No ring of gold to you can I impart;
Going, yet why should going grieve you?
...
One cold wet winter evening
I was hurrying to my home,
I passed a drunkard lying in the mire;
The sleet was falling fastly,
...
Now I was gwine ter make er speech;
I see yer al begin to frown;
Dat what I say erbout yer darkies,
Yer tri ter hold each udder down.
...
I do not know the ocean's song,
Or what the brooklets say;
At eve I sit and listen long,
I cannot learn their lay.
...