Poem by James Weldon Johnson

A Plantation Bacchanal

W'en ole Mister Sun gits tiah'd a-hangin'
High up in de sky;
W'en der ain't no thunder and light'nin' a-bangin',
An' de crap's done all laid by;
W'en yo' bones ain't achin' wid de rheumatics,
Den yo' ride de mule to town,
Git a great big jug o' de ole corn juice,
An' w'en you drink her down--

  Jes lay away ole Trouble,
  An' dry up all yo' tears;
  Yo' pleasure sho' to double
  An' you bound to lose yo' keers.
  Jes lay away ole Sorrer
  High upon de shelf;
  And never mind to-morrer,
  'Twill take care of itself.

W'en ole Mister Age begins a-stealin'
Thoo yo' back an' knees,
W'en yo' bones an' jints lose der limber feelin',
An' am stiff'nin' by degrees;
Now der's jes one way to feel young and spry,
W'en you heah dem banjos soun'
Git a great big swig o' de ole corn juice,
An' w'en you drink her down--

  Jes lay away ole Trouble,
  An' dry up all yo' tears;
  Yo' pleasure sho' to double
  An' you bound to lose yo' keers.
  Jes lay away ole Sorrer
  High upon de shelf;
  And never mind to-morrer,
  'Twill take care of itself.

1. The Color Sergeant
2. Answer to Prayer
3. O Southland!
4. Down by the Carib Sea. 6. Sunset in the Tropics
5. Down by the Carib Sea. 4. The Lottery Girl

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