Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow/A Corn Song

by Paul Laurence Dunbar

Layout 2

A CORN SONG

ON the wide veranda white,
 In the purple failing light,
Sits the master while the sun is lowly
  burning;
 And his dreamy thoughts are drowned
 In the softly flowing sound
Of the corn-songs of the field hands slow
  returning.

     Oh, we hoe de co'n
     Since de ehly mo'n;
     Now de sinkin' sun
     Says de day is done.

 O'er the fields with heavy tread,
 Light of heart and high of head,
Though the halting steps be labored, slow,
  and weary;
 Still the spirits brave and strong
 Find a comforter in song,
And their corn-song rises ever loud and
  cheery.

     Oh, we hoe de co'n
     Since de ehly mo'n;
     Now de sinkin' sun
     Says de day is done.

 To the master in his seat,
 Comes the burden, full and sweet,
Of the mellow minor music growing
  clearer,
 As the toilers raise the hymn,
 Thro' the silence dusk and dim,
To the cabin's restful shelter drawing
  nearer.

     Oh, we hoe de co'n
     Since de ehly mo'n;
     Now de sinkin' sun
     Says de day is done.

 And a tear is in the eye
 Of the master sitting by,
As he listens to the echoes low-replying
 To the music's fading calls
 As it faints away and falls
Into silence, deep within the cabin dying.

     Oh, we hoe de co'n
     Since de ehly mo'n;
     Now de sinkin' sun
     Says de day is done.