HOPE

De dog go howlin’‘ long de road,

De night come shiverin’ down;

My back is tiahed of its load,

I cai n't be fu’ f'om town.

No mattah ef de way is long,

My haht is swellin’ wid a song,

No mattah‘ bout de frownin’ skies,

I'll soon be home to see my Lize.

My shadder staggah on de way,

It's monstous col’ to-night;

But I kin hyeah my honey say

“W'y bless me if de sight

O’ you ai n't good fu’ my so’ eyes.”

( Dat talk's dis lak my lady Lize )

I's so'y case de way was long

But Lawd you bring me love an’ song.

No mattah ef de way is long,

An’ ef I trimbles so’

I knows de fiah's burnin’ strong,

Behime my Lizy's do’.

An’ daih my res’ an’ joy shell be,

Whaih my ol’ wife's awaitin’ me —

Why what I keer fu’ stingin’ blas’,

I see huh windah light at las’.