Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow/A Summer Night

by Paul Laurence Dunbar

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A SUMMER NIGHT

SUMMAH is de lovin' time— Do' keer what you say.Night is allus peart an' prime, Bettah dan de day.Do de day is sweet an' good, Birds a-singin' fine,Pines a-smellin' in de wood,— But de night is mine.

Rivah whisperin "howdy do," Ez it pass you by—Moon a-lookin' down at you, Winkin' on de sly.Frogs a-croakin' f'om de pon', Singin' bass dey fill,An' you listen way beyon' Ol' man whippo'will.

Hush up, honey, tek my han', Mek yo' footsteps light;Somep'n' kin' o' hol's de lan' On a summah night.Somep'n' dat you nevah sees An' you nevah hyeahs,But you feels it in de breeze, Somep'n' nigh to teahs.

Somep'n' nigh to teahs? dat's so; But hit's nigh to smiles.An' you feels it ez you go Down de shinin' miles. Tek my han', my little dove; Hush an' come erway—Summah is de time fu' love, Night-time beats de day!