NOON

Shadder in de valley

Sunlight on de hill,

Sut'ny wish dat locus’

Knowed how to be still.

Do n't de heat already

Mek a body hum,

‘ Dout dat insec’ sayin’

Hottah days to come?

Fiel’‘ s a shinin’ yaller

Wid de bendin’ grain,

Guinea hen a callin’,

Now's de time fu’ rain;

Shet yo’ mouf, you rascal,

Wha’‘ s de use to cry?

You do’ see no rain clouds

Up dah in de sky.

Dis hyeah sweat's been po'in’

Down my face sence dawn;

Ai n't hit time we‘ s hyeahin’

Dat ah dinnah ho'n?

Go on, Ben an’ Jaspah,

Lif yo’ feet an’ fly,

Hit out fu’ de shadder

Fo’ I drap an’ die.

Hongry, lawd a’ mussy,

Hongry as a baih,

Seems lak I hyeah dinnah

Callin’ evahwhaih;

Daih‘ s de ho'n a blowin’!

Let dat cradle swing,

One mo’ sweep, den da'kies,

Beat me to de spring!