T. H. Malone, "The Song of the Rain" (1905)
As de day begins to break?
"Li'l chillun sleep on, hits too soon ter rise,
You kin close ergin dem sleepy eyes,
Tu'n ovah an' git er li'l mo' sleep,
De sun's white rays jes' begin ter peep,—
Jes' a li'l mo' slumbah take."
What is de song de cool rain sings
In de midst of de long hot day?
"You cattle lay down undah drippin' trees,
Come undah de bushes you birds an' bees,
You flowahs kin lift up yo ' droopin ' heads,
You breezes blow soft whah de wild beast treads
Oh, Man, you rejoice on yo' way."
What is de song de cool rain sings
In de night when de warm win' blows?
"You toilahs who dwells on de face of de earth,
Fergit all de day wid its woes or its mirth,
Lay aside all yo' thoughts of de days to be
In dreamlan' f'om strivin' an' toil be free
An' trust all to Him who knows."
Published in Colored American Magazine, July 1905