I think that though the clouds be dark, That though the waves dash o'er the bark, Yet after while the light will come, And in calm waters safe at home The bark will anchor....
De trees is bendin' in de sto'm, De rain done hid de mountain's fo'm, I 's 'lone an' in distress. But listen, dah 's a voice I hyeah, A-sayin' to me, loud an' cleah, "Lay low in de wildaness." ...
Hain't you see my Mandy Lou, Is it true? Whaih you been f'om day to day, Whaih, I say? Dat you say you nevah seen Dis hyeah queen Walkin' roun' f'om fiel' to street Smilin' sweet? ...
Treat me nice, Miss Mandy Jane, Treat me nice. Dough my love has tu'ned my brain, Treat me nice. I ain't done a t'ing to shame, Lovahs all ac's jes' de same; Don't you know we ain't to blame?...
It's hot to-day. The bees is buzzin' Kinder don't-keer-like aroun' An' fur off the warm air dances O'er the parchin' roofs in town. In the brook the cows is standin'; Childern hidin' in the hay;...
It was Chrismus Eve, I mind hit fu' a mighty gloomy day-- Bofe de weathah an' de people--not a one of us was gay; Cose you 'll t'ink dat 's mighty funny 'twell I try to mek hit cleah,...
I stand above the city's rush and din, And gaze far down with calm and undimmed eyes, To where the misty smoke wreath grey and dim Above the myriad roofs and spires rise; ...
I've a humble little motto That is homely, though it 's true,-- Keep a-pluggin' away. It's a thing when I 've an object That I always try to do,-- Keep a-pluggin' away....
Love hath the wings of the butterfly, Oh, clasp him but gently, Pausing and dipping and fluttering by Inconsequently. Stir not his poise with the breath of a sigh; Love hath the wings of the butterfly....
Men may sing of their Havanas, elevating to the stars The real or fancied virtues of their foreign-made cigars; But I worship Nicotina at a different sort of shrine,...
De breeze is blowin' 'cross de bay. My lady, my lady; De ship hit teks me far away, My lady, my lady; Ole Mas' done sol' me down de stream; Dey tell me 't ain't so bad 's hit seem,...
A maiden wept and, as a comforter, Came one who cried, "I love thee," and he seized Her in his arms and kissed her with hot breath, That dried the tears upon her flaming cheeks....
I been t'inkin' 'bout de preachah; whut he said de othah night, 'Bout hit bein' people's dooty, fu' to keep dey faces bright; How one ought to live so pleasant dat ouah tempah never riles,...
Phyllis, ah, Phyllis, my life is a gray day, Few are my years, but my griefs are not few, Ever to youth should each day be a May-day, Warm wind and rose-breath and diamonded dew--...
Poor withered rose, she gave it me, Half in revenge and half in glee; Its petals not so pink by half As are her lips when curled to laugh, As are her cheeks when dimples gay...
Whose little lady is you, chile, Whose little gal is you? What's de use o' kiver'n up yo' face? Chile, dat ain't de way to do. Lemme see yo' little eyes, Tek yo' little han's down nice,...