Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, AS MY UNCLE UST TO SAY, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AS MY UNCLE UST TO SAY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I've thought a power on men and
Last Line: As my uncle ust to say.
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Uncles; Work; Workers


I'VE thought a power on men and things --
As my uncle ust to say, --
And ef folks don't work as they pray, i jings!
W'y, they ain't no use to pray!
Ef you want somepin', and jes' dead-set
A-pleadin' fer it with both eyes wet,
And tears won't bring it, w'y, you try sweat,
As my uncle ust to say.

They's some don't know their A, B, C's --
As my uncle ust to say --
And yit don't waste no candle-grease,
Ner whistle their lives away!
But ef they can't write no book, ner rhyme
Nor ringin' song fer to last all time,
They can blaze the way fer "the march sublime,"
As my uncle ust to say.

Whoever's Foreman of all things here,
As my uncle ust to say,
He knows each job 'at we're best fit fer,
And our round-up, night and day:
And a-sizin' His work, east and west,
And north and south, and worst and best,
I ain't got nothin' to suggest,
As my uncle ust to say.





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