Akirill.com

Poem: “A Spiritual” by Paul Laurence Dunbar

Download PDF

American Literature – Children Books – American Poetry – Paul Laurence DunbarPoems by Paul Laurence Dunbar
< < < A Plantation Melody
The Memory Of Martha > > >


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!


< < < A Plantation Melody
The Memory Of Martha > > >


American Literature – Children Books – American Poetry – Paul Laurence DunbarPoems by Paul Laurence Dunbar


If you liked this article, subscribe , put likes, write comments!

Share on social networks

Visit us on Facebook or Twitter

Check out Our Latest Posts

Copyright holders –  Public Domain


© 2025 Akirill.com – All Rights Reserved

Leave a comment