An' it's fine to see de meat a-sizzlin' teasin'-lak an' hot.

But when suppah time is ovah an' de things is cl'ared away,

Den de happy hours dat foller are de sweetes' ob de day.

When my co'n-cob pipe is sta'ted, an' de smoke is drawin' prime,

My ole 'ooman says, "I reckon, Ike, it's candle-lightin' time."

Den de chillun snuggle up to me and all commence to call,

"Oh, say, daddy, now it's time to make de shadders on de wall."

So I puts my han's togethah—evah daddy knows de way—

An' de chillun snuggle closer roun' es I begin to say,

"Fus thing, hyeah come mistah Rabbit, don' you see him wuk his eahs?