Benjamin Franklin King

Gedder in Yo' Grain

De ole plow hoss is busy
Breshin' flies off wid his tail,
De ole dog's got a move on him
Dat's zackly like a snail.
De meddeh grass is noddin'
En off yondah in de lane
I kin hyar de tree toads warnin'
"Bettah gedder in yo' grain."

Doan yo' hyar de frogs a-gurglin'
Dar out yondah in de pond?
What's de mattah wid de catbird,
Doan yo' hyar his voice respond?
Ain't de hull of 'em a-tellin' yo'
In language mighty plain,
"Doan be frivlin' way yo' moments,
Bettah gedder in yo' grain/"

Ain't de bumble bee a-hummin'
'Mongst de clovah tops an' flowahs,
Whilst de ole clock am a-tickin' 'way
De minutes an de houahs?
Chile, yo's got to be a-hus'lin'
To ketch de wisdom train.
Doan waste no opportunities,
But gedder in yo' grain.