Jamaica Anansi stories

by Martha Warren Beckwith

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Jesta be-yo, eh-e-eh-eh-eh-o—— Jesta
be-yo, A, a wi’ die, oh, wi’a go die, oh, fe trees bear-e, oh,
A, a wi’ die, oh, wi a go die, oh, fe trees bear-e, oh.

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When de man sing, de spit dat de woman spit answer him,—

“Jesta be-yo, eh, eh, eh, o!

Jesta be-yo, a wi’ die-o,

Wi’ a go die-o, fe trees bear-e o!”

To every place where de woman spit, de man go dere an’ stan’ an’ call—

“Jesta be-yo, eh, eh, eh, o,”

at each stopping-place of half a mile until two miles are passed. An’ jus’ as de woman hear de voice of de man, stan’ at door-mout’ an’ see dat de man coming. An’ de man go tak him wife an’ catch him right back to home yard.