Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, LI'L' YALLER CRADLE, by LOUISE AYRES GARNETT


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

LI'L' YALLER CRADLE, by                    
First Line: Dere's a li'l' yaller cradle
Last Line: Swing, li'l' cradle, swing.


Dere's a li'l' yaller cradle
Hangin' in de sky.
Swing, li'l' cradle, swing.
En mammy am a-rockin'
En singin' lullerby.
Swing, li'l' cradle, swing.
Stars upon deir tippytoes
In a crooked row,
Am sayin', Hush yo' mouf,
To all de worl' below,
En w'isperin' a song,
En disaway it go:
Swing, li'l' cradle, swing.

Swing, li'l' cradle, swing, swing,
Swing--a way up in de sky.
Rockerby, lullerby, husherby--by,
Spring's in de cradle, sing to de cradle,
Swing, li'l' cradle, swing.

Li'l' pickaninny
Am rockin' fur en high,
Swing, li'l' cradle, swing.
She's puckerin' her face
En startin' fer to cry,
Swing, li'l' cradle, swing.
Husherby, mah honey,

Don' you fuss no mo':
Mammy spanked de clouds
En shood 'em f'om de do'.
Don' you fret, mah sweetums,
Ef you wants ter grow.
Swing, li'l' cradle, swing.

Swing, li'l' cradle, swing, swing,
Swing--a way up in de sky.
Rockerby, lullerby, husherby--by,
Spring's in de cradle, sing to de cradle,
Swing, li'l' cradle, swing.

W'en you grows up bigger
Wot'll mammy do?
Swing, li'l' cradle, swing.
Mammy lak you big,
But she lak you li'l', too.
Swing, li'l' cradle, swing.
Sech a great big worl'.
En sech a monst'ous sky!
Smile en show yer manners,
Den shet dat peepin' eye.
We's all a-gwin ter res'
En go sleepin' bimeby--
Swing, li'l' cradle, swing.

Swing, li'l' cradle, swing, swing,
Swing--a way up in de sky.
Rockerby, lullerby, husherby--by,
Spring's in de cradle, sing to de cradle,
Swing, li'l' cradle, swing.





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