[The sisters repeat each line after her in unison, keeping up their rhythm with drum and rattle.]
By de w’ip an’ de rope an’ de chain dat swung,
By de bloody mouf an’ de bit-off tongue,
By de eat-up heaht an’ de spit-out gall,
We scream, we beg, we whoop, we squall
Tuh git poweh, tuh git stren’th tuh put de trickon um all.
[After this the remainder of Granny’s curse is spoken by her alone. The sisters continue their sounds with the drum and rattle.]
Let um git no res’ in bed, er good at vittals, er hope at wu’k, er he’p at home, er peace wif fren’s er kin, er tryin’ tuh tek pleasuah, er in any place dey kin go er hide.
Th’ee fingeh Jack my Obi pap,