Taken Aback

Let me go, Joe, for I want go^[1] home:
Can’t stan’ wid you,^[2]
For pa might go^[3] come;
An’ if him only hab him rum,^[4]
I don’t know whatever I’ll do.

I must go now, for it’s gettin’ night
I am afraid,
An’ tis not moonlight:
Give me de last hug, an’ do it tight;
Me pa gwin’ go knock off me head.^[5]

No, Joe, don’t come!–you will keep me late,
An’ pa might be
In him^[6] sober state;
Him might get vex’^[7] an’ lock up de gate,
Den what will becomin’ of me?

Go wid you, Joe? — you don’t lub me den!
I shame’^[8] o’ you–
Gals caan’^[9] trust you men!
An’ I b’en tekin’ you fe me frien’;^[10]
Good-night, Joe, you’ve proven untrue.