Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.
By Paul LaurenceDunbar1644 A Death Song
L
Whah de branch ’ll go a-singin’ as it pass.
An’ w’en I ’s a-layin’ low,
I kin hyeah it as it go
Singin’, “Sleep, my honey, tek yo’ res’ at las’.”
An’ de watah stan’s so quiet lak an’ cool,
Whah de little birds in spring
Ust to come an’ drink an’ sing,
An’ de chillen waded on dey way to school.
Nigh enough to hyeah de noises in de road;
Fu’ I t’ink de las’ long res’
Gwine to soothe my sperrit bes’
Ef I ’s layin’ ’mong de t’ings I ’s allus knowed.