Negro Folk Rhymes Part 33

Squir'l's got a long way to go.

[41] The explanation of this rhyme is found in the Study in Negro Folk Rhymes.

CAPTAIN c.o.o.n

Captain c.o.o.n's a mighty man, He trabble atter dark; Wid nothin' 'tall to 'sturb his mind, But to hear my ole dog bark.

Dat 'Possum, he's a mighty man, He trabble late at night.

He never think to climb a tree, 'Till he's feared ole Rober'll bite.

GUINEA GALL

'Way down yon'er in Guinea Gall, De n.i.g.g.e.rs eats de fat an' all.

'Way down yon'er in de cotton fiel', Ev'ry week one peck o' meal.

'Way down yon'er ole Mosser swar'; Holler at you, an' pitch, an' r'ar; Wid cat o' nine tails, Wid pen o' nine nails, Tee whing, tee bing, An' ev'ry thing!

FIs.h.i.+NG SIMON

Simon tuck his hook an' pole, An' fished on Sunday we's been told.

Fish dem water death bells ring, Talk from out'n de water, sing-- "Bait yo' hook, Simon!

Drap yo' line, Simon!

Now ketch me, Simon!

Pull me out, Simon!

Take me home, Simon!

Now clean me, Simon!

Cut me up now, Simon!

Now salt me, Simon!

Now fry me, Simon!

Dish me up now, Simon!

Eat me all, Simon!"

Simon e't till he wus full.

Still dat fish keep his plate fall.

Simon want no mo' at all, Fish say dat he mus' eat all.

Simon's sick, so he throw up!

He give Sunday fis.h.i.+n' up.

A STRANGE OLD WOMAN

Dere wus an ole 'oman, her name wus Nan.

She lived an 'oman, an' died a man.

De ole 'oman lived to be dried up an' cunnin'; One leg stood still, while de tother kep' runnin'.

IN '76

Way down yonder in sebenty-six, Whar I git my jawbone fix; All dem c.o.o.n-loons eatin' wid a spoon!

I'll be ready fer dat Great Day soon.

REDHEAD WOODp.e.c.k.e.r

Redhead woodp.e.c.k.e.r: "Chip! Chip! Chee!"

Promise dat he'll marry me.

Whar shall de weddin' supper be?

Down in de lot, in a rotten holler tree.

What will de weddin' supper be?

A liddle green worm an' a b.u.mblebee, 'Way down yonder on de holler tree.

De Redhead woodp.e.c.k.e.r, "Chip! Chip! Chee!"

OLD AUNT KATE

Jes look at Ole Aunt Kate at de gyardin gate!

She's a good ole 'oman.

W'en she sift 'er meal, she give me de husk; W'en she cook 'er bread, she give me de crust.

She put de hosses in de stable; But one jump out, an' skin his nable.

Jes look at Ole Aunt Kate at de gyardin gate!

Still she's always late.

Hurrah fer Ole Aunt Kate by de gyardin gate!

She's a fine ole 'oman.

Git down dat sifter, take down dat tray!

Go 'long, Honey, dere hain't no udder way!

She put on dat hoe cake, she went 'round de house.

She cook dat 'Possum, an' she call 'im a mouse!

Hurrah fer Ole Aunt Kate by de gyardin gate!

She's a fine playmate.

CHILDREN'S SEATING RHYME

You set outside, an' ketch de cow-hide.

I'll set in de middle, an' play de gol' fiddle.

You set 'round about, an' git scrouged out.

MY BABY

I'se de daddy of dis liddle black baby.

He's his mammy's onliest sweetest liddle c.o.o.n.

Got de look on de forehead lak his daddy, Pretty eyes jes as big as de moon.

I'se de daddy of dis liddle black baby.

Yes, his mammy keep de "Sugar" rollin' over.

She feed him wid a tin cup an' a spoon; An' he kick lak a pony eatin' clover.