KEEP A SONG UP ON DE WAY

Oh, de clouds is mighty heavy

An’ de rain is mighty thick;

Keep a song up on de way.

An’ de waters is a rumblin’

On de boulders in de crick,

Keep a song up on de way.

Fu’ a bird ercross de road

Is a-singin’ lak he knowed

Dat we people did n't daih

Fu’ to try de rainy aih

Wid a song up on de way.

What's de use o’ gittin’ mopy,

Case de weather ain’ de bes’!

Keep a song up on de way.

W'en de rain is fallin’ ha'des’,

Dey‘ s de longes’ times to res’

Keep a song up on de way.

Dough de plough‘ s a-stan'in’ still

Dey‘ ll be watah fu’ de mill,

Rain mus’ come ez well ez sun

‘ Fo’ de weathah's wo'k is done,

Keep a song up on de way.

W'y hit's nice to hyeah de showahs

Fallin’ down ermong de trees:

Keep a song up on de way.

Ef de birds don’ bothah‘ bout it,

But go singin’ lak dey please,

Keep a song up on de way.

You don’ s'pose I's gwine to see

Dem ah fowls do mo’ dan me?

No, suh, I‘ ll des chase dis frown,

An’ aldough de rain fall down,

Keep a song up on de way.