The Complete Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar/A Spiritual

by Paul Laurence Dunbar

A SPIRITUAL

De 'cession's stahted on de gospel way,
   De Capting is a-drawin' nigh:
Bettah stop a-foolin' an' a-try to pray;
   Lif' up yo' haid w'en de King go by!

Oh, sinnah mou'nin' in de dusty road,
   Hyeah 's de minute fu' to dry yo' eye:
Dey 's a moughty One a-comin' fu' to baih yo' load;
   Lif' up yo' haid w'en de King go by!

Oh, widder weepin' by yo' husban's grave,
   Hit 's bettah fu' to sing den sigh:
Hyeah come de Mastah wid de powah to save;
   Lif' up yo' haid w'en de King go by!

Oh, orphans a-weepin' lak de widder do,
   An' I wish you 'd tell me why:
De Mastah is a mammy an' a pappy too;
   Lif' up yo' haid w'en de King go by!

Oh, Moses sot de sarpint in de wildahness
   W'en de chillun had commenced to die:
Some 'efused to look, but hit cuohed de res';
   Lif' up yo' haid w'en de King go by!

Bow down, bow 'way down, Bow down,
But lif' up yo' haid w'en de King go by!