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141

CORN-SHUCKING SONG

143

Oh, de fus news you know de day'll be a-breakin'—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!)
An' de fier be a-burnin' en' de ash-cake a-bakin',
(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!)
An' de hen'll be a-hollerin' en de boss'll be a-wakin'—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!)
Better git up, nigger, en give yo'se'f a-shakin'—
(Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!)
Oh, honey! w'en you see dem ripe stars a-fallin'—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!)
Oh, honey! w'en you year de rain-crow a-callin'—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!)
144

Oh, honey! w'en you year dat red calf a-bawlin'—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!)
Den de day time's comin', a-creepin' en a-crawlin'—
(Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!)
Fer de los' ell en yard is a-huntin' fer de mornin',
(Hi O! git 'long! go 'way!)
En she'll ketch up widdus 'fo' we ever git dis corn in—
(Oh, go 'way, Sindy Ann!)
Oh, honey! w'en you year dat tin horn a-tootin'—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!)
Oh, honey, w'en you year de squinch owl a-hoot-in'—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!)
145

Oh, honey! w'en you year dem little pigs a-root-in'—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!)
Right den she's a-comin' a-skippin' en a-scootin'—
(Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!)
Oh, honey, w'en you year dat roan mule whicker—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!)
W'en you see Mister Moon turnin' pale en gittin' sicker—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!)
Den hit's time fer ter handle dat corn a little quicker—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!)
Ef you wanter git a smell er old Marster's jug er licker—
(Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!)
146

Fer de los' ell en yard is a-huntin' fer de mornin'
(Hi O! git 'long! go 'way!)
En she'll ketch up widdus 'fo' we ever git dis corn in—
(Oh, go 'way, Sindy Ann!)
You niggers 'cross dar! you better stop yo' dancin'—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!)
No use fer ter come a-flingin' uv yo' “sha'n'ts” in—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!)
No use fer ter come a-flingin' uv yo' “cant's” in—
(Hey O, Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!)
Kaze dey ain't no time fer yo' pattin' ner yo' prancin'!
(Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!)
Mr. Rabbit see de Fox, en he sass um en jaws um—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!)
147

Mr. Fox ketch de Rabbit, en he scratch um en he claws um—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!)
En he tar off de hide en he chaws um en he gnyaws um—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!)
Same like gal chawin' sweet gum en rozzum—
(Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!)
Fer de los' ell en yard is a-huntin' fer de mornin'
(Hi O, git 'long! go 'way!)
En she'll ketch up widdus 'fo' we ever git dis corn in—
(Oh, go 'way, Sindy Ann!)
Oh, work on, boys! give deze shucks a mighty wringin'—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!)
148

'Fo' de boss come aroun' a-dangin' en a-dingin'—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!)
Git up en move aroun'! set dem big han's ter swingin'—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!)
Git up'n shout loud! let de w'ite folks year you singin'!
(Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!)
Fer de los' ell en yard is a-huntin' fer de mornin'
(Hi O! git 'long! go 'way!)
En she'll ketch up widdus 'fo' we ever git dis corn in—
(Oh, go 'way, Sindy Ann!)
 

The sword and belt in the constellation of Orion.

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