James Weldon Johnson, ed. (1871–1938). The Book of American Negro Poetry. 1922.

’Ittle Touzle Head

CUM, listen w’ile yore Unkel sings

Erbout how low sweet chariot swings,

Truint Angel, wifout wings,

Mah ’ittle Touzle Head.

Stop! Stop! How dare you laff et me,

Bekaze I foul de time an’ key,

Thinks you dat I is Black Pattie,

Mah ’ittle Touzle Head?

O, Honey Lam’! dem sparklin’ eyes,

Dat offen laffs an’ selem cries,

Is sho a God gib natchel prize,

Mah ’ittle Touzle Head.

An’ doze wee han’s so sof’ an’ sweet,

Mates wid dem toddlin’, velvet feet,

Jes to roun’ you out, complete,

Mah ’ittle Touzle Head.

Sma’t! youse sma’t ez sma’t kin be,

Knows yore evah A, B, C,

Plum on down to X, Y, Z,

Mah ’ittle Touzle Head.

De man doan know how much he miss,

Ef he ain’t got no niece lak dis;

Fro yore Unkel one mo’ kiss,

Mah ’ittle Touzle Head!

I wist sum magic w’u’d ellow,

(By charm or craf’—doan mattah how)

You stay jes lak you is right now,

Mah ’ittle Touzle Head.