Jes’ reads the message with a look
An’ claps it on de slate.
Oh, you’d better do yo’ duty, boys,
An’ keep yo’ conscience clear,
An’ keep a-lookin’ straight ahead
An’ watchin’ whar you steer.
’Cause after while the time will come
To journey from dis lan’,
Dey’ll take you ’way up in de air
An’ place you on de stan’.