Sylvester’s Dying Bed

I woke up this mornin’ ’Bout half-past three. All the womens in town Was gathered round me. Sweet gals was a-moanin’, “Sylvester’s gonna die!” And a hundred pretty mamas Bowed their heads to cry. I woke up little later ’Bout half-past fo’, The doctor ‘n’ undertaker’s Both at ma do’. Black gals was a-beggin’, “You can’t leave us here!” Brown-skins cryin’, “Daddy! Honey! Baby! Don’t go, dear!” But I felt ma time’s a-comin’, And I know’d I’s dyin’ fast. I seed the River Jerden A-creepin’ muddy past— But I’s still Sweet Papa ’Vester, Yes, sir! Long as life do last! So I hollers, “Com’ere, babies, Fo’ to love yo’ daddy right!” And I reaches up to hug ’em— When the Lawd put out the light. Then everything was darkness In a great ... big ... night.