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FOLK SONG OF THE AMERICAN NEGRO |
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'-Mockm' bird, oh! he sings so fine, Wa'bles his surenade; Lark, he sing in de bright sunshine; Catbird sing in de shade. But whut is'dat to de pretty song Dat rings in my heart all day? ' My luv is true as my life is long, An' it's goin' to stay dat way. "Rose, it bloom, oh! it bloom so sweet, Fills all de summer air; Vi'let blue underneaf my feet, Sen's sweetness ev'ry where. But whut is dat to de flowers dat bloom In my heart as on I go, An' fills all my life wid sweet perfume? Beats all de flowers I know. "Light may shine, it may shine so bright, Flowers perfume de air; Birds may sing all de day an' night, Sen' music everywhere; But de brightest light an' de sweetest flower An' de prettiest song I know Jis' fills my heaht every live-long hour, Jis' case 1 luv her so." The love song with its lack of color and spirit is in bold contrast to the lullaby with its interesting features. True to nature, the crude children of the Overshadowed Continent "gather their goods where they find them" and sing of the things they know best. While her American sister sings: "Daddy's comin' home, my dahlin', hear him a-whistlin' low; Leave po' daddy jis' one kiss, honey, 'fo' you go; Den close dem eyes, my honey, deah, dem brown eyes tenduh bright, For God an' angels, mammy's luv, will watch till mawnin' light; Den sleep, my honey, baby dahlin', sleep�" the African mother sings: |
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"Nar ju pentee, Nar de an mo ne clay Key geelo ply An moo moo Ken po� |
'My child, lie down, Your mother's gone to the farm So the Great Spirit will bear You on his back." |
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