Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.
By Paul LaurenceDunbar1643 Hymn
O
De Mastah call you to de fol’,
O li’l’ lamb!
He hyeah you bleatin’ on de hill;
Come hyeah an’ keep yo’ mou’nin’ still,
O li’l’ lamb!
He wandah souf, he wandah no’f,
O li’l’ lamb!
He wandah eas’, he wandah wes’;
De win’ a-wrenchin’ at his breas’,
O li’l’ lamb!
He want you walkin’ by his side,
O li’l’ lamb!
He know you weak, he know you so’;
But come, don’ stay away no mo’,
O li’l’ lamb!
De Shepud’s voice a-callin’ cleah—
Sweet li’l’ lamb!
He answah f’om de brambles thick,
“O Shepud, I ’s a-comin’ quick”—
O li’l’ lamb!