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Poems of cabin and field/Chrismus is a-Comin

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4008887Poems of cabin and field — Chris'mus is a-Comin'Paul Laurence Dunbar

Chris'mus is a-Comin'

Bones a-gittin' achy, Back a-feelin' col', Han's a-growin' shaky, Jes' lak I was ol'. Fros' erpon de meddah Lookin' mighty white; Snowdraps lak a feddah Slippin' down at night. Jes' keep t'ings a-hummin' Spite o' fros' an' showahs, Chris'mus is a-comin' An' all de week is ouahs.
Little mas' a-axin', "Who is Santy Claus?"Meks it kin' o' taxin' Not to brek de laws. Chillun's pow'ful tryin' To a pusson's grace W'en dey go a-pryin' Right on th'oo you' face Down ermong yo' feelin's; Jes' 'pears lak dat you Got to change you' dealin'sSo 's to tell 'em true.
An' my pickaninny—Dreamin' in his sleep! Come hyeah, Mammy Jinny, Come an' tek a peep. Ol' Mas' Bob an' Missis In dey house up daih Got no chile lak dis is, D' ain't none anywhaih. Sleep, my little lammy, Sleep, you little limb, He do' know whut mammy Done saved up fu' him.
Dey 'll be banjo pickin', Dancin' all night th'oo. Dey 'll be lots o' chicken, Plenty tu'ky, too. Drams to wet yo' whistles So 's to drive out chills. Whut I keer fu' drizzles Fallin' on de hills? Jes' keep t'ings a-hummin' Spite o' col' an' showahs, Chris'mus day 's a-comin', An' all de week is ouahs.