Josette

I see Josette on de car to-day,
  Leetle Josette Couture,
  An' it’s easy tellin' she’s been away
  On market of Bonsecour--
  'Cos dere’s de blueberry on de pail
  Wit' more t'ing lyin' about--
  An' dere’s de basket wit' de tail
  Of de chicken stickin' out.

  Ev'ry conductor along de road
  Help her de bes' he can,
  An' I see dem sweat wit' de heavy load,
  Many a beeg, strong man--
  But it’s differen' t'ing w'en she tak' hol',
  Leavin' dem watchin' dere--
  For wedder de win' blow hot or cole
  Josette never turn a hair.

  Wonderful woman for seexty-five--
  Smart leetle woman sure!
  An' if he’s wantin' to kip alive
  On church of de Bonsecour
  De pries' he mus' rise 'fore de rooster crow,
  Or mebbe he’ll be too late
  For seein' dere on de street below,
  Josette comin' in de gate.

  An' half of de mornin' she don't spen' dere
  Hangin' aroun' de pew--
  Bodderin' God wid de long, long prayer--
  For bote of dem got to do
  Plaintee work 'fore de day's gone by,
  An' well she know--Josette--
  No matter how busy an' hard she try,
  De work’s never finish yet.

  An' well he know it, de habitant,
  Who is it ketch heem, w'en
  He’s drivin' along from St. Laurent--
  For it’s easier bargain den--
  'Cos if de habitant only sole
  De whole of hees load dat way--
  Of course he’s savin' de market toll
  An' not'ing at all to pay.

  Dey call her ole maid, but I can't tell--me--
  De chil'ren she has got:
  No fader, no moder, dat’s way dey be--
  You never see such a lot--
  An' if you ax how she fin' de clothes
  An' food for de young wan dere--
  She say: "Wit' de help of God, I s'pose;
  An' de leetle shop down stair."

  Comin' an' goin' mos' all de tam,
  Helpin' dem all along,
  Jus' lak de ole sheep watch de lamb
  Till dey are beeg an' strong--
  Not'ing lak dat I be seein' yet,
  An' it’s hard to beat for sure--
  She say: "Wit' de help of God, I s'pose;
  An' de leetle shop down stair."

  Comin' an' goin' mos' all de tam,
  Helpin' dem all along,
  Jus' lak de ole sheep watch de lamb
  Till dey are beeg an' strong--
  Not'ing lak dat I be seein' yet,
  An' it’s hard to beat for sure--
  So dat’s de reason dey call Josette
  Leetle Sister of de poor.