One day as I wus a-ridin' by,
Said dey: "Ole man, yō' hoss will die"—
"If he dies, he is my loss;
An' if he lives, he is my hoss."
Nex' day w'en I come a-ridin' by,
Dey said: "Ole man, yō' hoss may die."—
"If he dies, I'll tan 'is skin;
An' if he lives, I'll ride 'im ag'in."
Den ag'in w'en I come a-ridin' by,
Said dey: "Ole man, yō' hoss mought die."—
"If he dies, I'll eat his co'n;
An' if he lives, I'll ride 'im on."
[9] JUDGE BUZZARD
Dere sets Jedge Buzzard on de Bench.
Go tu'n him off wid a monkey wrench!
Jedge Buzzard try Br'er Rabbit's case;
An' he say Br'er Tarepin win dat race.
Here sets Jedge Buzzard on de Bench.
Knock him off wid dat monkey wrench!
[ [9] See Study in Negro Rhymes for explanation.
SHEEP AND GOAT
Sheep an' goat gwine to de paster;
Says de goat to de sheep: "Cain't you walk a liddle faster?"
De sheep says: "I cain't, I'se a liddle too full."
Den de goat say: "You can wid my ho'ns in yō' wool."