If you lub me, Joanie, only tell me, dear,
\nDo not be so cold
\nWhen my lub is bold;
\nDo not mek dis burning heart o’ mine get drear,
\nTek it for your own,
\nFor ’tis yours alone.<\/p>\n
I hav ever lub’d you from I saw[1]<\/sup><\/a> your face Durin’ de revival[2]<\/sup><\/a> we b’en use’ fe pray, Though I could’n’ see you when you younger b’en, How I saw you proudly draw up to your height– ‘Member you de days down by de river-side, Joanie, when you were me own a[8]<\/sup><\/a> true sweetheart, When in church on Sunday days we use’ fe sit, I am thinkin’, Joanie, when de nights were lone, ‘Member you de time when many days passed by, In those happy days, me Joan, you loved me then, Joanie, fickle Joanie, give up Squire’s son; Joanie, when you’re tired of dat worthless man, An’, Joan, in de days fe come I know you’ll grieve
\nOn dat Monday morn
\n‘Mongst de peas an’ corn:
\nLightly did you trip along wid yout’ful grace,
\nWid de kerchief red
\nWound about your head.<\/p>\n
\nSpirit we b’en hab,
\nHow we use’ fe sob!
\nYet how soon did all of it from we get ‘way![3]<\/sup><\/a>
\nLub kiver de whole,
\nWe feget we “soul.”<\/p>\n
\nIt was better so,
\nFor we older grow,
\nAn’ I can protect you now from udder men,
\nIf you’ll only be
\nFe me one,[4]<\/sup><\/a> Joanie.<\/p>\n
\nAs we strolled along
\nGay in laugh an’ song,
\nPassin’ by de peenies[5]<\/sup><\/a> sheddin’ greenish light’–
\nCos my lips did miss,[6]<\/sup><\/a>
\nStealin’ one lee[7]<\/sup><\/a> kiss!<\/p>\n
\nI prevented you
\nYour washin’ to do,
\nTeasin’ you at times till you got vex’ an’ cried,
\nAn’ I try de while
\nTo coax you fe smile?<\/p>\n
\nI lived in de air
\n‘Douten[9]<\/sup><\/a> t’ought of care,
\nThinkin’, o me Joan, dat’ nuttin’ could we[10]<\/sup><\/a> part,
\nNaught to mek me fear
\nFe me own a dear.<\/p>\n
\nYou dressed in light pink,
\nHow we used fe wink!
\nWha’ de parson say we cared for not a bit,
\nNuttin’ could remove
\nOur sweet t’oughts from love.<\/p>\n
\nAn’ you were afraid
\nOf each darkened shade,
\nAn’ I use’ fe guide you over river-stone,[11]<\/sup><\/a>
\nHow you trusted me
\nFe care[12]<\/sup><\/a> you, Joanie.<\/p>\n
\nAn’ I didn’ come
\nTo your hill-side home,
\nHow you wrote those sad, sad letters to know why,
\nTill I comfort gave
\nTo my Joanie brave?<\/p>\n
\nAn’ I t’ought dat you
\nWould be ever true;
\nNever dreamed you would forsake me for strange men,
\nWho caan’ lub you so
\nMuch as thrown-up Joe.<\/p>\n
\nYou wi’ soon hate him
\nAn’ his silly whim,
\nAn’ your heart wi’ yearn fe me when I am gone;
\nSo, ‘fo’ ’tis too late,
\nCome back to your mate.<\/p>\n
\nYou can come back still
\nOf your own free will:
\nNummo girl dis true,[13]<\/sup><\/a> true heart will understan’;
\nI wi’ live so-so,[14]<\/sup><\/a>
\nBroken-hearted Joe.<\/p>\n
\nFor de foolishniss
\nDat you now call bliss:
\nDere’s no wrong you done me I would not forgive;
\nBut you choice[15]<\/sup><\/a> your way,
\nSo, me Joan, good-day!<\/p>\n