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1872–1906

THE BOOGAH MAN

Paul Laurence Dunbar

W'en de evenin’ shadders Come a-glidin’ down, Fallin’ black an’ heavy Ovah hill an’ town,

Ef you listen keerful, Keerful ez you kin, So‘ s you boun’ to notice Des a drappin’ pin;

Den you‘ ll hyeah a funny Soun’ ercross de lan’; Lay low; dat's de callin’ Of de Boogah Man!

Woo-oo woo-oo! Hyeah him ez he go erlong de way; Woo-oo, woo-oo! Don’ you wish de night‘ ud t'un to day?

Woo-oo, woo-oo! Hide yo’ little peepers‘ hind yo’ han; Woo-oo, woo-oo! Callin’ of de Boogah Man.

W'en de win‘ s a-shiverin’ Thoo de gloomy lane, An’ dey comes de patterin’ Of de evenin’ rain,

W'en de owl's a-hootin’, Out daih in de wood, Don’ you wish, my honey, Dat you had been good?

‘ T ai n't no use to try to Snuggle up to Dan; Bless you, dat's de callin’ Of de Boogah Man!

Ef you loves yo’ mammy, An’ you min's yo’ pap, Ef you nevah wriggles Outen Sukey's lap;

Ef you says yo’ “Lay me” Evah single night ‘ Fo’ dey tucks de kivers An’ puts out de light,

Den de rain kin pattah Win’ blow lak a fan, But you need n’ bothah ‘ Bout de Boogah Man!

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THE BOOGAH MAN · Paul Laurence Dunbar · Poetry Cove