I.
De Hant he come en hollah f'um de honey-locus' tree:
"Ah'd thank yuh, Mistah Niggah, foh dat money yuh owe me!"
But Ah gib Mis' Sal a banjo, en a silky scarf toh Chloe,
En de cotton's sho'ly squandah'd en dat's all dis niggah know!
II.
De Hant he come en hollah f'um de bahn's ole gable deep:
"Whah's dat New Yaar Resolution dat Ah gib you-all toh keep?"
But Ah kep' it en Ah kep' it, twel ole Satan come erlong,
En dat New Yaar Resolution got a move on mighty strong!
III.
De Hant he come en hollah right above de cabin doo':
"What yuh done wif all dem good t'ings dat Ah tole yuh 'bout befo?"
En Ah dassent answeh nothin'! En de ole Hant stay en stay!
When dis niggah wuzzent lookin', all dem good things run away!
Caught on the Fly.
When Hope comes on the scene, Trouble has urgent business over in the next settlement.