"I seed lots of niggers put on the block and bid off and carry away in chains. One woman name Venus raises her hands and hollers, 'Weigh dem cattle,' whilst she's bein' bid off.
"The big folks dances all night Sat'day. That's all the fun we had. We used to sing
"I'm in a lady's garden, I'm in a lady's garden,
So let me out. I'm sufferin' for water and wine.
"The slaves most allus sings whilst theys workin' in the field, and one song was
"When I's here you calls me honey,
When I's gone you honies everybody.
or
"The raccoon am de funny thing,
Ramblin' round in de dark.
"Massa Sam have a cullud man what give us our ABC's. I still got mine, but didn't never git no further.
Mariah Snyder