A Negro Love Song

By Paul Laurence Dunbar

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.

Composition date is unknown - the above date represents the first publication date.The lyrical form of this poem is ababcccb.3.Hel' huh han': Held her hand5.Hyeahd: Heard.14.do': door15.That I could not bear to go19.tase: taste.23.'Cose: Of course