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1872–1906

A CHRISTMAS FOLKSONG

Paul Laurence Dunbar

De win’ is blowin’ wahmah, An hit's blowin’ f'om de bay; Dey's a so't o’ mist a-risin’ All erlong de meddah way;

Dey ai n't a hint o’ frostin’ On de groun’ ner in de sky, An’ dey ai n't no use in hopin’ Dat de snow'll‘ mence to fly.

It's goin’ to be a green Christmas, An’ sad de day fu’ me. I wish dis was de las’ one Dat evah I should see.

Dey's dancin’ in de cabin, Dey's spahkin’ by de tree; But dancin’ times an’ spahkin’ Are all done pas’ fur me.

Dey's feastin’ in de big house, Wid all de windahs wide — Is dat de way fu’ people To meet de Christmas-tide?

It's goin’ to be a green Christmas, No mattah what you say. Dey's us dat will remembah An’ grieve de comin’ day.

Dey's des a bref o’ dampness A-clingin’ to my cheek; De aih's been dahk an’ heavy An’ threatenin’ fu’ a week,

But not wid signs o’ wintah, Dough wintah'd seem so deah — De wintah's out o’ season, An’ Christmas eve is heah.

It's goin’ to be a green Christmas, An’ oh, how sad de day! Go ax de hongry chu'chya' d, An’ see what hit will say.

Dey's Allen on de hillside, An’ Marfy in de plain; Fu’ Christmas was like springtime, An’ come wid sun an’ rain.

Dey's Ca'line, John, an’ Susie, Wid only dis one lef': An’ now de curse is comin’ Wid murder in hits bref.

It's goin’ to be a green Christmas — Des hyeah my words an’ see: Befo’ de summah beckons Dey's many‘ ll weep wid me.

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A CHRISTMAS FOLKSONG · Paul Laurence Dunbar · Poetry Cove