W'en I Gits Home

written by


« Reload image

It's moughty tiahsome layin' 'roun'
  Dis sorrer-laden earfly groun',
  An' oftentimes I thinks, thinks I,
  'T would be a sweet t'ing des to die,
  An' go 'long home.

  Home whaih de frien's I loved 'll say,
  "We've waited fu' you many a day,
  Come hyeah an' res' yo'se'f, an' know
  You's done wid sorrer an' wid woe,
  Now you's at home."

  W'en I gits home some blessid day,
  I 'lows to th'ow my caihs erway,
  An' up an' down de shinin' street,
  Go singin' sof' an' low an' sweet,
  W'en I gits home.

  I wish de day was neah at han',
  I's tiahed of dis grievin' lan',
  I's tiahed of de lonely yeahs,
  I want to des dry up my teahs,
  An' go 'long home.

  Oh, Mastah, won't you sen' de call?
  My frien's is daih, my hope, my all.
  I 's waitin' whaih de road is rough,
  I want to hyeah you say, "Enough,
  Ol' man, come home!"

© Paul Laurence Dunbar