Oh, honey, w’en you year dat roan mule whicker—­
(Hey O!  Hi O!  Up’n down de Bango!)
W’en you see Mister Moon turnin’ pale en gittin’ sicker—­
(Hey O!  Hi O!  Up’n down de Bango!)
Den hit’s time for ter handle dat corn a little quicker—­
(Hey O!  Hi O!  Up’n down de Bango!)
Ef you wanter git a smell er old Marster’s jug er licker—­
(Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!)

For de los’ ell en yard is a huntin’ for de mornin’
(Hi O! git long! go ’way!)
En she’ll ketch up wid dus ‘fo’ we ever git dis corn in—­
(Oh, go ’way, Sindy Ann!)
You niggers ’cross dar! you better stop your dancin’—­
(Hey O!  Hi O!  Up’n down de Bango!)
No use for ter come a flingin’ un yo’ “sha’n’ts” in—­
(Hey O!  Hi O!  Up’n down de Bango!)
No use for ter come a flingin’ un yo’ “can’t’s” in—­
(Hey O!  Hi O!  Up’n down de Bango!)
Kaze dey ain’t no time for yo’ pattin’ nor yo’ prancin’! 
(Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!)

Mr. Rabbit see de Fox, en he sass um en jaws um—­
(Hey O!  Hi O!  Up’n down de Bango!)
Mr. Fox ketch de Rabbit, en he scratch um en he claws um—­
(Hey O!  Hi O!  Up’n down de Bango!)
En he tar off de hide, en he chaws um en he gnyaws um—­
(Hey O!  Hi O!  Up’n down de Bango!)
Same like gal chawin’ sweet gum en rozzum—­
(Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!)
For de los’ ell en yard is a huntin’ for de mornin’
(Hi O! git ’long! go ’way!)
En she’ll ketch up wid dus ‘fo’ we ever git dis corn in—­
(Oh, go ’way, Sindy Ann!)

Oh, work on, boys! give doze shucks a mighty wringin’—­
(Hey O!  Hi O!  Up’n down de Bango!)
‘Fo’ de boss come aroun’ a dangin’ en a dingin’—­
(Hey O!  Hi O!  Up’n down de Bango!)
Git up en move aroun’! set dem big han’s ter swingin’—­
(Hey O!  Hi O!  Up’n down de Bango!)
Git up’n shout loud! let de w’ite folks year you singin’! 
(Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!)

For de los’ ell en yard is a huntin’ for de mornin’
(Hi O! git long! go ’way!)
En she’ll ketch up wid dus ‘fo’ we ever git dis corn in. 
(Oh, go ’way Sindy Ann!)

1 So far as I know, “Bango” is a meaningless term, introduced
   on account of its sonorous ruggedness.
2 The sword and belt in the constellation of Orion.

IV.  THE PLOUGH-HANDS’ SONG (JASPER COUNTY—­1860.)

NIGGER mighty happy w’en he layin’ by co’n—­
Dat sun’s a slantin’;
Nigger mighty happy w’en he year de dinner-ho’n—­
Dat sun’s a slantin’;
En he mo’ happy still w’en de night draws on—­
Dat sun’s a slantin’;
Dat sun’s a slantin’ des ez sho’s you bo’n! 
En it’s rise up, Primus! fetch anudder yell: 
Dat ole dun cow’s des a shakin’ up ’er bell,
En de frogs chunin’ up ‘fo’ de jew done fell: 
Good-night, Mr. Killdee!  I wish you mighty well! 
—­Mr. Killdee!  I wish you mighty well! 
—­I wish you mighty well!