3

Love it

0

Like it

Add to collection

This is my copy of Poems of Cabin and Field by Paul Laurence Dunbar. It's a first edition and one of my favorite books from my collection.
When I was a kid it took me forever to pick up the dialect and read it correctly. This is my favorite poem from this book

Chrismus Is A-Comin'
Bones a-gittin' achy, Back a-feelin' col',
Han's a-growin' shaky, Jes' lak I was ol'.
Fros' erpon de meddah, Lookin' mighty white;
Snowdraps lak a feddah Slippin' down at night.
Jes' keep t'ings a-hummin' Spite o' fros' an' showahs,
Chrismus is a-comin'
An' all de week is ouahs.

Little mas' a-axin', 'Who is Santy Claus?'
Meks it kin' o' taxin' Not to brek de laws.
Chillun 's pow'ful tryin' To a pusson's grace
Wen dey go a pryin' Right on th'oo you' face
Down ermong yo' feelin's; Jes' 'pears lak dat you
Got to change you' dealin's So 's to tell 'em true.

An' my pickaninny-- Dreamin' in his sleep!
Come hyeah, Mammy Jinny, Come an' tek a peep.
Ol Mas' Bob an' Missis In dey house up daih
Got no chile lak dis is, D' ain't none anywhaih.
Sleep, my little lammy, Sleep, you little limb,
He do' know whut mammy Done saved up fu' him.

Dey 'll be banjo pickin', Dancin' all night thoo.
Dey 'll be lots o' chicken, Plenty tukky, too.
Drams to wet yo' whistles So 's to drive out chills.
Whut I keer fu' drizzles Fallin' on de hills?
Jes' keep t'ings a-hummin' Spite o' col' an' showahs,
Chrismus day 's a-comin',
An' all de week is ouahs.

You can read more about Paul Laurence Dunbar on his homepage.
http://www.dunbarsite.org/