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Lyrics of Love and Laughter

by Paul Laurence Dunbar

A Spiritual

Additional Information
  • Year Published: 1913
  • Language: English
  • Country of Origin: United States of America
  • Source: Dunbar, P.L. (1913). The Complete Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar. New York: Dodd, Mead, and Company.
  • Readability:
    • Flesch–Kincaid Level: 6.5
  • Word Count: 245
  • Genre: Poetry
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De ‘cession’s stahted on de gospel way,
De Capting is a–drawin’ nigh:
Bettah stop a–foolin’ an’ a–try to pray;
Lif’ up yo’ haid w’en de King go by!

Oh, sinnah mou’nin’ in de dusty road,
Hyeah ’s de minute fu’ to dry yo’ eye:
Dey ’s a moughty One a–comin’ fu’ to baih yo’ load;
Lif’ up yo’ haid w’en de King go by!

Oh, widder weepin’ by yo’ husban’s grave,
Hit ’s bettah fu’ to sing den sigh:
Hyeah come de Mastah wid de powah to save;
Lif’ up yo’ haid w’en de King go by!

Oh, orphans a–weepin’ lak de widder do,
An’ I wish you ‘d tell me why:
De Mastah is a mammy an’ a pappy too;
Lif’ up yo’ haid w’en de King go by!

Oh, Moses sot de sarpint in de wildahness
W’en de chillun had commenced to die:
Some ‘efused to look, but hit cuohed de res’;
Lif’ up yo’ haid w’en de King go by!

Bow down, bow ‘way down, Bow down,
But lif’ up yo’ haid w’en de King go by!