Songs of Jamaica (1912)
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.