Page:Claude McKay Constab Ballads.djvu/45

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PAPINE CORNER
41

When you want see gals look fine,
You mus’ go up dere,
An’ you’ll see them drinkin’ wine
An’ all sorts o’ beer:
There you’ll see them walkin’ out,
Each wid a young man,
Watch them strollin’ all about,
Flirtin’ all dem can.

When you want hear coarsest jokes
Passin’ rude an’ vile,
Want to see de Kingston blokes,—
Go up dere awhile:
When you want hear murderin’
On de piano,
An’ all sorts o’ drunken din,
Papine you mus’ go.

Ef you want lost póliceman,
Go dere Sunday night,
Where you’ll see them, every one
Lookin’ smart an’ bright:
Policeman of every rank,
Rural ones an’ all,
In de bar or on de bank,
Each one in them sall.

Policeman dat’s in his beat,
Policeman widout,
Policeman wid him gold teet’

Shinin’ in him mout’;