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Plantation echoes

HUSTLE.

Reading edition

Doan’ lag an’ fool Erlong de way— Hus’el! Doan’ ’spec’ to do All in er day— Hus’el! Things will cum Out by an’ by, Musen’ stop To stew an’ sigh. Den’s when success May be nigh— Hus’el! Take no time Fo’ lookin’ back— Hus’el! T’ see whose cumin’ On de track— Hus’el! Ebbry time Yo’s losin’ groun’, Time yo’ take Fo’ gawkin ’roun’. Ef yo’ ’spec’ To git er crown— Hus’el! Ef yo’ ’spec’ Er good co’n crop— Hus’el! Nebah git it Ef yo’ stop— Hus’el! Ef yo’ ’spec’ De corn to gro’ Full co’n stawks In ebbry ro’, Doan’ be skaid To use de hoe— Hus’el! Take no time To argufy— Hus’el! T’ make sum fellah Out er lie— Hus’el! Ha’f de time Yo’s losin’ win’, Same time doin’ Er little sin. Aftah all Yo’ nuffin in— Hus’el!

Illustration from Plantation echoes: a collection of original Negro dialect poems
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