I T’INK of childhood days again,
\nAn’ wish dat I was free
\nTo res’ me baby head once more
\nUpon me mudder’s knee:
\nIf we had power to change dis life
\nAn’ live it back again,
\nWe would be children all de time
\nNor fret at childhood’s pain.<\/p>\n
I look on my school life of old, An’ o’ de marnings when I woke, Still, childhood pain could neber las’,
\nDem sweet days dat are pas’,
\nAn’ wonder how I’d wish[1]<\/sup><\/a> to see
\nThose dear times en’ at las’:
\nIt was because I was a boy,
\nAn’ knew not what b’en good;
\nAll time I tas’e de supple-jack,[2]<\/sup><\/a>
\nBein’ I was so rude.<\/p>\n
\n‘Fo’ you can see you’ han’,
\nI mek me way on to de spring
\nFe full[3]<\/sup><\/a> me bucket-pan:
\nI t’ought ofttimes dat it was hard
\nFor me to wake so soon;
\nDere was no star fe light de way,
\nMuch more[4]<\/sup><\/a> de white roun ‘ moon.<\/p>\n
\nAn’ I remem ber yet
\nDe many sorrows ‘cross me pat’[5]<\/sup><\/a>
\nDat neber mek me fret:
\nBut now me joys are only few,
\nI live because I’m boun’,
\nAn’ try fe mek my life of use
\nThough pain lie all aroun’.<\/p>\n