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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


LITTLE BLACK SHEEP by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR

Poem Explanation

First Line: PO' LIL' BRACK SHEEP DAT STRAYED AWAY

Po' lil' brack sheep dat strayed away,
Done los' in de win' an' de rain-
An' de Shepherd He say, "O, hirelin',
Go fin' my sheep again."
An' de hirelin' say, "O, Shepherd,
Dat sheep am brack an' bad."
But de Shepherd He smile, like dat lil' brack sheep
Wuz de onliest lamb He had.
An' de Shepherd go out in de darkness
Where de night wuz col' and' bleak,
An' dat lil' brack sheep, He fin' it
An' lay it agains' His cheek.
An' de hirelin frown, "O, Shepherd,
Don' bring dat sheep to me!"
But de Shepherd He smile, an' He hol' it close.
An'-dat lil' brack sheep-wuz-me!




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