A BORDER BALLAD

  Oh, I have n’t got long to live, for we all
    Die soon, e’en those who live longest;
  And the poorest and weakest are taking their chance
    Along with the richest and strongest. 
  So it’s heigho for a glass and a song,
    And a bright eye over the table,
  And a dog for the hunt when the game is flush,
    And the pick of a gentleman’s stable.

  There is Dimmock o’ Dune, he was here yester-night,
    But he ’s rotting to-day on Glen Arragh;
  ‘Twas the hand o’ MacPherson that gave him the blow,
    And the vultures shall feast on his marrow. 
  But it’s heigho for a brave old song
    And a glass while we are able;
  Here ’s a health to death and another cup
    To the bright eye over the table.

  I can show a broad back and a jolly deep chest,
    But who argues now on appearance? 
  A blow or a thrust or a stumble at best
    May send me to-day to my clearance. 
  Then it’s heigho for the things I love,
    My mother ’ll be soon wearing sable,
  But give me my horse and my dog and my glass,
    And a bright eye over the table.

AN EASY-GOIN’ FELLER

  Ther’ ain’t no use in all this strife,
  An’ hurryin’, pell-mell, right thro’ life. 
  I don’t believe in goin’ too fast
  To see what kind o’ road you ’ve passed. 
  It ain’t no mortal kind o’ good,
  ‘N’ I would n’t hurry ef I could. 
  I like to jest go joggin’ ’long,
  To limber up my soul with song;
  To stop awhile ‘n’ chat the men,
  ‘N’ drink some cider now an’ then. 
  Do’ want no boss a-standin’ by
  To see me work; I allus try
  To do my dooty right straight up,
  An’ earn what fills my plate an’ cup. 
  An’ ez fur boss, I ’ll be my own,
  I like to jest be let alone;
  To plough my strip an’ tend my bees,
  An’ do jest like I doggoned please. 
  My head’s all right, an’ my heart’s meller,
  But I ‘m a easy-goin’ feller.

A NEGRO LOVE SONG

  Seen my lady home las’ night,
    Jump back, honey, jump back. 
  Hel’ huh han’ an’ sque’z it tight,
    Jump back, honey, jump back. 
  Hyeahd huh sigh a little sigh,
  Seen a light gleam f’om huh eye,
  An’ a smile go flittin’ by—­
    Jump back, honey, jump back.

  Hyeahd de win’ blow thoo de pine,
    Jump back, honey, jump back. 
  Mockin’-bird was singin’ fine,
    Jump back, honey, jump back. 
  An’ my hea’t was beatin’ so,
  When I reached my lady’s do’,
  Dat I could n’t ba’ to go—­
    Jump back, honey, jump back.

  Put my ahm aroun’ huh wais’,
    Jump back, honey, jump back. 
  Raised huh lips an’ took a tase,
    Jump back, honey, jump back. 
  Love me, honey, love me true? 
  Love me well ez I love you? 
  An’ she answe’d, “’Cose I do”—­
   Jump back, honey, jump back.