Classic Poem

A Folk-Medley From Echoes of Childhood

UNCLE JIM

Old Uncle Jim was as blind as a mole,
But he could fiddle Virginia Reels,
Till you felt the sap run out of your heels,
Till you knew the devil had got your soul — —

Down the middle and swing yo' partners,
Up agin and salute her low,
Shake yo' foot an' keep a-goin'
Down the middle an' do-se-do!

Mind yo' manners an' doan git keerless,
Swing yo' lady and bow full low,
S'lute yo' partner an' turn yo' neighbor,
Gran'-right-an'-left, and aroun' you go!

DELPHY

Delphy's breast was wide and deep,
A shelf to lay a child asleep,
— Swing low, sweet chariot, swing low;
Rocking like a lifted boat
On lazy tropic seas afloat,
— Swing low, sweet chariot, swing low.

Delphy, when my mother died,
Taught me wisdom, curbed my pride,
— Swing low, sweet chariot, swing low;
And when she laid her body down,
It shone, a jewel, in His crown,
— Swing low, sweet chariot, swing low.
...

(Underneath the southern moon
I was cradled to the tune
Of the banjo and the fiddle
And the plaintive Negro croon.)

MANDY'S RELIGION

I'se got religion an' I doan care
Who knows that God an' I are square,
I wuz carryin' home my mistis' wash
When God came an' spoke to me out'n de hush.

An' I th'ew de wash up inter de air,
An' I climbed a tree to de golden stair;
Ef it hadn't a been fur Mistah Wright
I'd had ter stayed dere all de night!

(Underneath the southern moon
I was cradled to the tune
Of the banjo and the fiddle
And the plaintive Negro croon.)