University of Virginia Library

previous section The tar-baby and other rhymes of Uncle Remus
next section
149

THE PLOUGH-HANDS' SONG

151

(Jasper County—1860.)
Nigger mighty happy w'en he layin' by co'n—
Dat sun's a-slantin';
Nigger mighty happy w'en he year de dinner-ho'n—
Dat sun's a-slantin';
En he mo' happy still w'en de night draws on—
Dat sun's a-slantin';
Dat's sun's a-slantin' des ez sho's you bo'n!
En it's rise up, Primus! fetch anudder yell:
Dat ole dun cow's des a-shakin' up 'er bell,
En de frogs chunin' up 'fo' de jew done fell:
152

Good-night, Mr. Killdee! I wish you mighty well!
—Mr. Killdee! I wish you mighty well!
—I wish you mighty well!
De co'n 'll be ready 'g'inst dumplin' day—
Dat sun's a-slantin';
But nigger gotter watch, en stick, en stay—
Dat sun's a-slantin';
Same ez de bee-martin watchin' un de jay—
Dat sun's a-slantin';
Dat sun's a-slantin' en a-slippin' away!
Den it's rise up, Primus! en gin it t'um strong;
De cow's gwine home wid der ding-dang-dong—
Sling in anudder tetch er de ole-time song:
153

Good-night, Mr. Whipperwill! don't stay long!
—Mr. Whipperwill! don't stay long!
—Don't stay long!
De shadders, dey er creepin' todes de top er de hill—
Dat sun's a-slantin;
De long-time hill, whar de workers got der fill—
Dat sun's a-slantin';
Dey's some dat fergits, but we never shill—
Dat sun's a-slantin';
Dat sun's a-slantin' an' slippin' down still!
Den sing it out, Primus! des holler an' bawl,
An' whiles we er strippin' de mules fer de stall,
Let de gals ketch de soun' er de plantation call:
154

Oh, far-you-well, ladies! my love unto you all!
—Ladies! my love unto you all!
—My love unto you all!
previous section The tar-baby and other rhymes of Uncle Remus
next section