Uncle Remus: His Songs and His Sayings

Joel Chandler Harris

III

Corn-Shucking Song


OH, dofus news you know do day’l bo a breakin’—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up’n down do Bango!)
An’ do fior be a burnin’ en’ do ash-cake a bakin’,
(Hey O! Hi O! Up’n down do Bango!)
An’ do hon’ll be a hollorin’ en do boss ’ll be a wakin’—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up’n down do Bango!)
Better git up, nigger, en give yo’se’f a shakin’—
(Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!)

Oh, honey! w’en you see dem ripe stars a fallin’—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up’n down do Bango!)
Oh, honey! w’en you year do rain-crow a callin’—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up’n down do Bango!)
Oh, honey! w’en you year dat rod calf a bawlin’—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up’n down do Bango!)
Den do day time’s, a creopin’ on a crawlin’—
(Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!)

For dolos’ ell on yard is a huntin’ for do mornin’,
(Hi O! git long! go ’way!)
En shell ketch up widdus ’fo’ we ever git dis corn in—
(Oh, go ’way, Sindy Ann!)

Oh, honey! w’en you year dat tin horn a tootin’
(Hey O! Hi O! Up’n down do Bango!)
Oh, honey, w’on you year do squinch owl a hootin’—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up’n down do Bango!)
Oh, honey! w’en you year dom little pigs a rootin’—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up’n down do Bango!)
Right den she’s a comm’ a skippin’ en a scootin’—
(Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!)

Oh, honey, w’en you year dat roan mule whickor—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up’n down do Bango!)
W’on you see Mister Moon turnin’ pale en gittin’ sicker—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up’n down do Bango!)

Don hit’s time for tor handle dat corn a little quicker—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up’n down do Bango!)
Ef you wantor git a smell or old Marstor’s jug or licker—
(Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!)

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

Mr. Rabbit see do Fox, en he sass urn en jaws urn—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up’n down do Bango!)
Mr. Fox ketch do Rabbit, on he scratch um en he claws urn—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up’n down do Bango!)
En he tar off do hide, en ho chaws urn en he gnyaws urn—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up’n down do Bango!)
Same like gal chawin’ sweet gum en rozzum—
(Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!)
For do los’ oil en yard is a huntin’ for do mornin’
(Hi O! git ’long! go ’way!)
En she’ll ketch up widdus ’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 do Bango!)
’fo’ do boss come aroun’ a dangin’ en a dingin’—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up’n down do Bango!)

Git upen move aroun’! sot dom big han’s ter swingin’—
(Hey O! Hi O! Up’n down do Bango!)
Git up’n shout loud! lot do w’ite folks year you singin’!
(Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!)

For dolos’ eli on yard is a huntin’ for do mornin’
(Hi O! git long! go ’way!)
En shell ketch up widdus ’fo’ we over git dis corn in.
(Oh, go ’way Sindy Ann!)


Uncle Remus    |    The Plough-Hands’ Song


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