THANKSGIVING IN THE CABIN

De winter’s come, an’ de darkies shiver; (Whoo-whoo, how de wind do blow!) De trees, dey’s moanin’ in de dark down by de river; (Whoo-whoo, how de wind do blow!) We gadder in de cabin, an’ we shet de door, Throw a log on de fi-ah, fo’ to see hit roar, An’ ole King Frost, he growl so fierce an’ sore. (Whoo-whoo, how de wind do blow!)

De old norf wind again de cabin door crashes; (Whoo-whoo, how de wind do blow!) Possum’s in de pot, and de sweet yam’s in de ashes; (Whoo-whoo, how de wind do blow!) Flitch o’ bacon in de pan—lawdy, hear it frying. Hain’t no sorter music dat’s near so satisfyin’; Corn pone am hot an’ brown—pickininnies sighin’. (Whoo-whoo, how de wind do blow!)

Ev’rybody gadder ’round de supper table; (Whoo-whoo, how de wind do blow!) Ev’rybody eats des as much, as much as dey is able; (Whoo-whoo, how de wind do blow!) Lil’ yaller dawg, he snug down by de fi-ah, Chewin’ all de possum bones dat he could desi-ah; Seems des like we all is full o’ happiness enti-ah. (Whoo-whoo, how de wind do blow!)

Supper table’s cl’ared away; pap he gits his fiddle; (Whoo-whoo, how de wind do blow!) Ev’rybody dances—up and down de middle. (Whoo-whoo, how de wind do blow!) When de reel am finished, den pappy plays a break-down; Rufe he double-shuffles till you’d fink de roof would shake-down; Then we pass de cider jug, and mammy brings the cake roun’. (Whoo-whoo, how de wind do blow!)

Ev’ry darkey suttinly feels happy ’round Thanksgivin’; Lawdy, yes, dey’s scrumptiously glad dat dey is livin’. Sorrer takes a day of—this hain’t no time for woe— And hit makes no diff’runce how de wind do blow.