Claude McKay, "Cotch Donkey" (1912)
Lay do'n in de road;
An' him ondly car'
Little bit o' load.
Kue, jackass, git up!
'Tan' up 'pon you' foot
Dis ya load no load,
You's a lazy brut'.
Me no know wha' mek
Pa won' swop you too;
For dere's not a t'ing
Wut while you can do.
Ef you car' no load,
It is all de same;
Hamper on or no,
'Tis de ushal game.
Póliceman a come
Fe go mek a row,
All because o' you
Wid you' wutless now.
"See ya, Sah, no min',
Dis a fe me luck;
De jackass is bad,
Him no wan' fe wuk.
"'Tek de hamper off?'
Him no hab no cut :
Me deh tell you say
De jackass no wut.
"Lard! me Gahd o' me!
Him got one lee 'cratch :
Dat is not'in', Sah,
For him always cotch.
Do, Sah, let me off,
Ef fe te-day one;
For a no de 'cratch
Cause him fe lay do'n."
Now because o' you
Dem gone bring me up;
An' wha' hu't me mos',
You caan' wuk a tup.
Ef dem summons me,
Mek me pay few mac,
Dat caan' mek me 'top
Wuk you wid sore back.
From Constab Ballads, 1912