James Weldon Johnson, ed. (1871–1938). The Book of American Negro Poetry. 1922.
The Corn Song
J
Lis’n to ’im now!—
Hyah de jolly black boy,
Singin’, at his plow!
In de early mornin’,
Thoo de hazy air,
Loud an’ clear, sweet an’ strong
Comes de music rare:
Do you love me? Who-ah!
Who-ah!”
An’ as ’e tu’ns de cotton row,
Hyah ’im tell ’is of mule so;
“Whoa! Har! Come ’ere!”
How it stirs yo’ blood!
Ever’body list’nin’,
In de neighborhood!
Standin’ in yo’ front do’
In de misty mo’n,
Hyah de jolly black boy,
Singin’ in de co’n:
Love me truly, Who-ah!
Who-ah!”
Hyah ’im scol’ ’is mule so,
W’en ’e try to mek ’im go:
“Gee! Whoa! Come ’ere!”
Yod’lin’ in de co’n,
Callin’ to yo’ dawlin’,
In de dewy mo’n,
Love ’er, boy, forevah,
Yodel ever’ day;
Only le’ me lis’n,
As yo’ sing away:
Hyah me callin’! Who-ah!
Who-ah!”
Tu’n aroun’ anothah row,
Holler to yo’ mule so:
“Whoa! Har! Come ’ere!”