38
DE DOG-DRIVER'S FRIEN’
Oftentimes dem come aroun’ me
Wid dem free an’ trusting soul,
Lying do’n or gambolling near me
Wid a tender sort o’ gro’l:
An’ I snap my fingers at them,
While dey wag dem tail at me;
Can you wonder dat I love dem,
Dem, me night-time company ?
Treat dem kindly, etc.
Sometimes dey’re a bit too noisy
Wid deir long leave-taking bark;[1]
But I tell you what, it cheers me
When de nights are extra dark.
So, dear comrades, don’t ill-treat him,
You won’t mek me talk in vain;
’Member, when de hours are dreary,
He’s de poor dog-driver’s frien’.
Treat dem kindly, etc.
- ↑ This is a trick of the dogs when they want to leave their master’s yard. They set up a great barking about 11 p.m., as if they were on the alert, and soon after they are all gone.
