Caroling Dusk/Long Gone

by Sterling Allen Brown

LONG GONE

I laks yo’ kin’ of lovin’ Ain’t never caught you wrongBut it jes ain’ nachal Fo’ to stay here long;

It jes ain’ nachal Fo’ a railroad man With a itch fo’ travellin’ He cain’t understan’. . . .

I looks at de rails An’ I looks at de ties,An I hears an ole freight Puffin’ up de rise,

An’ at nights on my pallet When all is stillI listens fo’ de empties Bumpin’ up de hill;

When I oughta be quiet I is got a itchFo’ to hear de whistle blow Fo’ de crossin’, or de switch

An’ I knows de time’s a nearin’ When I got to rideThough its homelike and happy At yo’ side.

You is done all you could do To make me stayTain’t no fault of yours I’se leavin’— I’se jes dataway.

I is got to see some people I ain’ never seen Gotta highball thu some country Whah I never been. . . .

I don’t know which way I’m travellin’— Far or near,All I knows fo’ certain is I cain’t stay here

Ain’t no call at all, sweet woman Fo’ to carry on,—Jes my name and jes my habit To be Long Gone. . . .