CLXXI.
2nd Figure.
|
I have a news to tell you all about the Mowitahl men,[59] Time is harder ev'ry day an' harder yet to come. They made a dance on Friday night an' failed to pay the drummer, Say that they all was need of money to buy up their August pork. Don't let them go free, drummer! Don't let them go free, drummer! For your finger cost money to tickle the poor goat-'kin. Not if the pork even purchase self Take it away for your labour, For your finger cost money to tickle the poor goat-'kin. |
The first of August (Ahgust as they call it) is the anniversary of Emancipation Day, and is a time of feasting and rejoicing. As in the case of wedding festivities, they do not limit themselves to one day, and holiday-making goes on for a week or longer.
The goat-skin drum is pitied for the thumping it gets. So a man will often stroke his picker (pickaxe) and say:—"He no a come out if he t'ought him face would a jam so a dirty," he would not have come out if he had thought his face was going to be thrust so hard into the ground.
"Self" is a redundant word. It strengthens "even if."