Buy me magnified lantern,
It won’t go out,
Lawd, Lawd, it won’t go out.
How much of symbolism is to be found in the Negro’s workaday songs? How much subjective imagery, how much unconscious allegory? There are abundant examples of the free use of symbolism in his love songs and popular jazz appeals. But what does he mean when he sings,
Ever see wild cat
Hug a lion, Lawd, Lawd?
My ol’ bear cat
Turn to lion, Lawd, Lawd.
Ever see lion
Run lak hell, Lawd, Lawd?