Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, NED'S PSALM OF LIFE FOR THE NEGRO, by JOSEPH SEAMON COTTER SR.


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

NED'S PSALM OF LIFE FOR THE NEGRO, by                
First Line: Dis is ned dat am er-speakin'
Last Line: Wid er wukin' brain an' heart.


Dis is Ned dat am er-speakin',
Wid no wuds dat's cute an' fine.
Dis is Ned dat am er-seekin'
Light fur dis heah race o' mine.

I don' know as I'se er prophit --
Ef I is, I prophersy --
Smart folks, don' you dar ter scoff it:
Dis race feelin's gwine ter die.

'Tain't er thing dat has er color --
I'se gwine lib ter see it ain't.
Hit goes 'long wid black an' yeller,
Kase you's not er wukin' saint.

When you wuks so dat de folks is
Boun' ter lib by whut you does,
All dey feelin's an' dey jokes is
Fur de man dat once you wuz.

Folks will 'cept you when you takes 'em
By supplyin' all dey needs;
Dey will paint you when you makes 'em
Jes' de color o' yo' deeds.

Atter while dey will be treatin'
You de bery bes' dey can,
An' you'll nebber 'gret de meetin'
Wid yo' brudder feller man.

Yes, dey's feelin' 'twixt de races,
An' hit's gwine ter las' until
We jes' wuks ourselves ter places
Udder folks has got ter fill.

Dis is Ned dat am er-speakin' --
Smart folks, don' you dar ter scorn --
I'se er-prayin' an' er-seekin'
Ways ter let dis race be born.

I'se got faith 'nuff in de Marster
Fur ter know He'll do His part;
Ef we stomps out dire disarster
Wid er wukin' brain an' heart.





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