Negro Folk Rhymes Part 26

Den: I say: "Love me liddle," I say; "Love me long."

I say: "Let dat liddle be 'doggone' strong!

For, sh.o.r.e as dat rat runs 'cross de rafter, So sh.o.r.e you'se de gal, you'se de gal I'se after."

PRESENTING A HAT TO PHOEBE

Sister Phoebe: Happy wus we, W'en we sot under dat Juniper tree.

Take dis hat, it'll keep yo' head warm.

Take dis kiss, it'll do you no harm.

Sister Phoebe: De hours, dey're few; But dis hat'll say I'se thinkin' 'bout you.

Sugar, it's sugar; an' salt, it's salt; If you don't love me, it's sho' yo' own fault.

WOOING

W'at is dat a wukin At yo' han' bill on de wall, So's yo' sperit, it cain't res', An' a gemmun's heat, it call?

Is you lookin' fer sweeter berries Growin' on a higher bush?

An' does my combersation suit?

If not, w'at does you wush?

COURTs.h.i.+P SONG RHYME SECTION

THE COURTING BOY

W'en I wus a liddle boy, Jes fifteen inches high; De way I court de pretty gals, It make de ole folks cry.

De geese swim in de middle pon'.

De ducks fly 'cross de clover.

Run an' tell dem pretty gals, Dat I'se a-comin' over.

Ho! Marindie! Ho!

Ho! Missindie! Ho!

Ho! Malindie! Ho! my gal!

I'se gwine now to see ole Sal.

PRETTY POLLY ANN

I'se gwineter marry, if I can.

I'se gwineter marry pretty Polly Ann.

I axed Polly Ann, fer to marry me.

She say she's a-lookin' fer a n.i.g.g.e.r dat's free.

Pretty Polly Ann's jes dressed so fine!

I'll bet five dollars she hain't got a dime.

Pretty Polly Ann's jes a-puttin' on airs, She won't notice me, but n.o.body cares.

I'll drop Polly Ann, a-lookin' lak a crane; I 'spec's I'll marry Miss Lize Jane.

MARRIAGE RHYME SECTION

SLAVE MARRIAGE CEREMONY SUPPLEMENT

Dark an' stormy may come de wedder; I jines dis he-male an' dis she-male togedder.

Let none, but Him dat makes de thunder, Put dis he-male an' dis she-male asunder.

I darfore 'nounce you bofe de same.

Be good, go 'long, an' keep up yo' name.

De broomstick's jumped, de worl's not wide.

She's now yo' own. Salute yo' bride!

MARRIED LIFE RHYME SECTION

THE NEWLY WEDS

First Mont': "Set down in my cabin, Honey!"

Nex' Mont': "Stan' up, my Pie."

Third Mont': "You go to wuk, you Wench!

You well to wuk as I!"

WHEN I GO TO MARRY

W'en I goes to marry, I wants a gal wid money.

I wants a pretty black-eyed gal To kiss an' call me "Honey."

Well, w'en I goes to marry, I don't wanter git no riches.

I wants a man 'bout four foot high, So's I can w'ar de britches.

BOUGHT ME A WIFE

Bought me a wife an' de wife please me, I feeds my wife un'er yon'er tree.