A SETTIN’ HEN
When a hen is bound to set,
Seems as though ’tain’t etiket
Dowsin’ her in water till
She’s connected with a chill.
Seems as though ’twas skursely right
Givin’ her a dreadful fright,
Tyin’ rags around her tail,
Poundin’ on an old tin pail,
Chasin’ her around the yard.
—Seems as though ’twas kind of hard
Bein’ kicked and slammed and shooed
’Cause she wants to raise a brood.
I sh’d say it’s gettin’ gay
Jest’cause natur’ wants its way.
—While ago my neighbor, Penn,
Started bustin’ up a hen;
Went to yank her off the nest,
Hen, though, made a peck and jest
Grabbed his thumb-nail good and stout,
Almost yanked the darn thing out.
Penn he twitched away and then
Tried again to grab that hen.
But, by ginger, she had spunk
’Cause she took and nipped a junk
Big’s a bean right out his palm,
Swallered it, and cool and calm
Hi’sted up and yelled “Cah-dah,”
—Sounded like she said “Hoo-rah.”
Wal, sir, when that hen done that
Penn he bowed, took off his hat,
—Spunk jest suits him, you can bet,
“Set,” says he, “gol darn ye, SET.”