All the day I worked and played When I was a little maid, Soft and nimble as a mouse, Living in my father's house. If I lacked my liberty, All my thoughts were free as free; Though my hands were hacked all o'er, Ah! my heart was never sore. Oh! once I had my fling! I romped at ging-go-ring; I used to dance and sing, And play at everything. I never feared the light; I shrank from no one's sight; I saw the world was right; I always slept at night. What a simpleton was I To go and marry on the sly! Now I work and never play: Three pale children all the day Fight and whine; and Dick, my man, Is drunk as often as he can. Ah! my head and bones are sore, And my heart is hacked all o'er. Yet, once I had my fling; I romped at ging-go-ring; I used to dance and sing, And play at everything. Now I fear the light; I shrink from every sight; I see there's nothing right; I hope to die to-night. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DOWN BY THE CARIB SEA: 6. SUNSET IN THE TROPICS by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON A SEA-SHORE GRAVE by SIDNEY LANIER POOR POLL by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES PORPHYRIA'S LOVER by ROBERT BROWNING INGRATEFUL [OR UNGRATEFUL] BEAUTY THREATENED by THOMAS CAREW CHRISTMAS EPITHALAMIUM by WILLIAM HERVEY ALLEN JR. |