Shadder in de valley
Sunlight on de hill,
Sut'ny wish dat locus’
Knowed how to be still.
Do n't de heat already
Mek a body hum,
‘ Dout dat insec’ sayin’
Hottah days to come?
Fiel’‘ s a shinin’ yaller
Wid de bendin’ grain,
Guinea hen a callin’,
Now's de time fu’ rain;
Shet yo’ mouf, you rascal,
Wha’‘ s de use to cry?
You do’ see no rain clouds
Up dah in de sky.
Dis hyeah sweat's been po'in’
Down my face sence dawn;
Ai n't hit time we‘ s hyeahin’
Dat ah dinnah ho'n?
Go on, Ben an’ Jaspah,
Lif yo’ feet an’ fly,
Hit out fu’ de shadder
Fo’ I drap an’ die.
Hongry, lawd a’ mussy,
Hongry as a baih,
Seems lak I hyeah dinnah
Callin’ evahwhaih;
Daih‘ s de ho'n a blowin’!
Let dat cradle swing,
One mo’ sweep, den da'kies,
Beat me to de spring!