James Weldon Johnson, ed. (1871–1938). The Book of American Negro Poetry. 1922.

A Death Song

LAY me down beneaf de willers in de grass,

Whah de branch’ll go a-singin’ as it pass

An’ w’en I’s a-layin’ low,

I kin hyeah it as it go

Singin’, “Sleep, my honey, tek yo’ res’ at las’.”

Lay me nigh to whah hit meks a little pool,

An’ de watah stan’s so quiet lak an’ cool,

Whah de little birds in spring,

Ust to come an’ drink an’ sing,

An’ de chillen waded on dey way to school.

Let me settle w’en my shouldahs draps dey load

Nigh enough to hyeah de noises in de road;

Fu’ I t’ink de las’ long res’

Gwine to soothe my sperrit bes’

If I’s layin’ ’mong de t’ings I’s allus knowed.