Part 1
MY VALUED RUBY
POEMS
BY
PERRY HONCE McGEE
WASHINGTON, PENNSYLVANIA 1920 Copyright 1920. Perry Honce McGee
DEDICATION
With love and hope, To bring the day foresighted, I dedicate this book to my race. --_Perry Honce McGee_
CONTENTS
Page
A BLOT ON LOVE 33
A DIFFERENCE 56
A DROOPING ROSE 26
AFTER DE TOUN HALL SUPPER 13
A FROSTY MORN 20
A GENIUS 89
A LIFELONG HAPPINESS 7
ALL 47
ALWAYS 47
A POET’S WIFE 19
A POET’S DARK DAY 51
A POET’S POWER 53
A PHOTO 73
A POET’S PIER 75
A POET’S THOUGHTS 54
A QUESTION 29
A SAILOR’S FATE 87
A SHADOW ON THE BEAUTY OF LIFE 43
A SMILE 61
A SONG OF A BROKEN HEART 50
A SPARK OF LOVE 22
AT EVE 88
A THOUGHT WE SHOULD HAVE 89
A VISION FROM THE FIRESIDE 78
BEAUTY AND UGLY 76
BECKER’S JEALOUSY 26
BREATH OF LOVE 46
CUPID 88
CREATION 82
DEFENSE 2
DE GOLDEN COW 34
DEMOCRACY 45
DREAM OF BYGONES 63
DARLING EDNA MAY 85
EASTER GREETING 56
EASTER ROSES 23
EIGHT NOBLEMEN 5
E’ER JANUWAH DE 2 12
EVE DROPPER 69
EYES 23
FADED LOVE 48
FATE AND TIME 12
FOR A WHILE 67
FOR MY HEART 89
GINGER BAY OUTING 10
GOOD FATE 73
GOOD SPIRIT 52
GRAY EYES 36
GRAY HEADS 31
HAPPY AND SORROW 43
HER SOLEMN THOUGHTS 31
HERE AND THERE 84
HIS LAST HOUR 70
HIDDEN THOUGHTS 55
HEARTS THAT ARE TRUE 68
HUMIN TO DE AIR 83
IDLENESS 42
IF I DARE 71
IN AN ALL OLD ROSE 40
IN MY THOUGHTS OF YOU 83
INCH BY INCH 28
JUST AN IRISHMAN’S WAY 38
JUST NOW 72
JUST TO REMIND YOU 79
LOVE DREAM 57
LOVE’S REFLECTIONS 41
LOVE’S PRECAUTION 3
LIFE PLAIN AS DAY 65
LAZY MULE 24
LIEUTENANT RUFF 16
LIFE’S PRETTY WAY 86
MEMORIES 35
MILDRED AND MARIE 57
MOTHER’S DAY 62
MR. FINK 30
MY DAILY PRAYER 59
MY DEAR BELOVED MOTHER 70
MY DEAREST DARLING RUBY 84
MY DREAM 87
MY HEAVENLY THOUGHTS 74
MY LIKES 60
MY LITTLE GIRL 19
MY LOVE FOR YOU 68
MY LOVE 69
MY RUBY MONTROSE 76
MY RUBY MONTROSE 6
MY SHIP OF THOUGHTS 81
MY THOUGHTS OF IT 89
MY THOUGHTS OF YOU 52
MY VIEW 66
MY WIFE 10
MY WILL 39
NATURE 44
NATURAL BORN COLORED MAN 33
OFTEN TOLD 38
OLEGRIA 40
ONE SAD MORN 65
ONE’S NEXT BEST FRIEND 82
ONE SWEET DREAM 85
ON SUNDAY MORN 18
ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF LIFE 4
PICNIC DAY 36
RAS BAYLEM’S SPEECH 86
ROUGH ROAD 53
ROUND BY ROUND 89
SADNESS 58
SHE SAID. THEN HE SAID THE REST 88
SIE RANKENS AND HIS WIFE LIZZ 15
SIXTY-ONE 77
SPRING’S EASTER LILY 80
SPRINGTIME 74
SUMMER IS GONE 42
THE BATTLE OF HEARTS 79
THE BEE AND THE ROSE 55
THE BIRDS THAT SING TO ME 62
THE BLESSING OF GOD 77
THE BREATH OF A ROSE 49
THE CONVICT 46
THE DEATH OF MRS. WORMSLEY 22
THE END OF LIFE 50
THE EVILS OF ALCOHOL 8
THE FADING ROSES 66
THE LITTLE TOE DANCER 20
THE PARSON’S RESOLUTION 17
THE PLACE WHERE LITTLE MARY LIVES 28
THE PLUCK OF A POET 64
THE STAR OF LIBERIA 1
THE SHAWL OF SIN 44
THE SINKING SHIP 80
THE SOUL OF A BUD 81
THE SUNSHINE OF YESTERDAY 9
THE THOUGHT OF A CHILD 89
THE THOUGHT OF A HUSBAND 59
THE VOICE OF A ROSE 72
THE WILD ROSE 49
THERE MUST BE 58
THORNY LOVE 78
THROUGH THE MILL 25
TOAST 18
TO ALL 60
TO REMIND YOU 79
TRUE 88
TRUELET 27
UNACQUAINTED 61
VIOLET AND YOU 39
WHAT WE OUGHT TO KNOW 14
WHAT WE GET 54
WHENE’ER CONSCIENCE SPEAKS 63
WELCOME SPRING 75
WHERE THE SUN NE’ER KISSED 48
YOUR EYES AND MY EYES 32
YOU ARE 35
MY VALUED RUBY
THE STAR OF LIBERIA
Oh! my mighty love, for my people, friends, But there’s a certain class of us that our minds doesn’t blend, Though we’ve fought many a battle and it seems we’ve always won, But we’ll be greater when the “Star of Liberia” shines like the sun. I have sat and dreamed and to come there’s a brighter day, But if our race pride’s weak, and we have no love, just when I’m afraid to say.
You pattern after the white man in every way but one, And that’s why the “Star of Liberia” cannot shine like the sun. We must learn to pull together, because animals know that much, For when we seesaw back and forth into our future it puts a clutch. This must be stopped or our defeat will be like the Huns, And it keeps the “Star of Liberia” from shining like the sun. I see a ship on the ocean at a distance of a thousand miles And it’s flying a flag of a people that will be prominent afterwhile.
There’s a tiny bit of a star that’s causing that flag to fly, But with a close observation it can be seen with the natural eye. We must love this flag above all things we’ve done, For it holds the “Star of Liberia” that’s going to shine like the sun. This ship has good omen and a cloudy day there’s none, Then why keep the “Star of Liberia” from shining like the sun. We know she’s cruised the ocean for fifty years or more, But as soon as we pull together she will land on the American shores.
DEFENSE
Colored men stop your marriages To women of the other race, Quit breaking the hearts of our goodly women And bringing them a shameful face, Why are some of us thoughtless Upon things along this line, Why when you go out of this race to marry You leave women just as fine. Now colored men I’m pleading this case For our worthy colored girls And trying to stop this awful horror That’s passing through this world. Where do you find other women That will be yoked along you’re side, To help you sail life’s rough ocean, No matter how rigid the tide. They go with you through thick and thin, Down on their knees upon kitchen floors, And in wash tubs they tirelessly bend Just to help climb the ladder of fame. Then could you discard an honest soul That another race may honor your name? Now God in heaven wrote This humble oration, That we may form a grand And noble nation.
LOVE’S PRECAUTION
Trespass not Upon two hearts that love, Your penalty’s imposed, By the Savior above.
This tiny little link That connects two hearts, With the watchword, That no one should tear apart.
Think some day It may be you, Then read this poem ’Twill tell more true.
It will explain my mind Just as I write, And the sorrow that hangs, O’er me tonight.
I’m driven away from the one that held me The smooth love, on the roughest sea, Now this is a teaching To us one and all,
That true love grows Summer, winter, and fall. Through sunshine and showers, In gardens of Mayflowers.
And o’er the desert land No distance can break it. ’Tis found as we make it, True love for ever, stands.
ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF LIFE
There’s only one way That we’re to abide Then the way to success, Is very wide On the sunny side of life.
Each moment in the day We should wear a smile, It brings so-called good luck And it’s really worth while On the sunny side of life.
The roses that bloom, That scents the air No place they grow And look more fair Than on the sunny side of life.
If we live right And omit all sin, Our days will be bright From the beginning to the end On the sunny side of life.
Even all the joy, and happiness too, With God’s heavenly blessings, For our deeds, kind and true, Is on the sunny side of life.
EIGHT NOBLEMEN
Above my bed Hangs eight noble heads, With love, might and grace, They brought honor to their race.
Dunbar could take you To a land of beauty; it seems And shine the light upon nature To let you read his poetical dreams.
Douglass as a statesman Thronged the whole wide world, And always in our memory He’ll shine just like a pearl.
Attuck’s patriotism For the land of the noble and free, God bless him on his way, And strengthen his mind with such decree.
Taylor, the lovely musician, Rhythmically to you could bring The sweetness in his music Was like the bird that sings.
Tanner showed his art, When fate painted his heart. He traveled in a whirl And works exhibited to the world.
Dumas, The author, Showed his fame, And down the honor roll We should always find his name.
Washington, the humble but famous Booker T. Had many ups and downs, Though hardship he never feared, And from the cruel world he gained a crown.
MY RUBY MONTROSE
Down in Illinois around among the boys I never had a chance to go to school, For there was my dear mother and little invalid brother And I was their support as a rule. But soon come the end to pass them on high There hung saddest memories to the old home was good-bye, Then with all my ups and downs, there’s one true friend I found. While I sit a dreaming of the bygone days Then a hidden voice did swell, saying I’ll teach you how to spell, For there’s a tender meaning for each letter in my name.
CHORUS
R--is for the right, I’ll try to teach you my boy. U--means the union that our hearts will enjoy. B--is used in blotting sorrow’s memory, too. Y--is that your yearning heart will always be true. M--is for the million times you wanted to go to school. O--shows how this old world treats when mother’s lying cool. N--is for my natural love to you I plainly give. T--is just to teach us how to love and live. The placing of these letters tells how the story goes. And the only name I love and spell is my Ruby Montrose.
All through life you’ll be like a pearl to me, Just to have and hold you for my own; With tender love, so great, then our lives I will relate, And dream of you my dear when I’m alone. Nights I’ll always pray that you may see the day When you won’t be afraid to spell your name. We’ll study night and day, this will help you on your way, And relieve your tender heart of its bashful pain. To me then came my trial and it seemed if heaven smiled On those dear sweet letters that spells her name.
A LIFELONG HAPPINESS
Time promised me Some day to unfold A lifelong happiness Bound with a goal. I’m patiently awaiting Along the way, Attentive as a child At its daily play. My heart ne’er chills From the long winter’s cold. It’s wanting that happiness Bound with a goal. At times I’m sad With nothing to say, I should be gay as a rose Of a bright summer’s day. But looking for the story So sweet to be told Are you my little happiness Bound with a goal? If fate takes away This promise so dear, There’ll be a chain Of my wasted years. Link by link To count and hold, Trying to find my happiness Bound with a goal.
THE EVILS OF ALCOHOL
Once more around and I’ll go home, It’s really a shame how I’ve learned to roam. Oh! but what’s the use? I’ve got a good excuse That outnumber the bubbles in this glass. Ah, ah, ah, ah, drink up, boys, and do it fast, For with your old pal it may be the last. You wonder why I have this knife? Yes, I got it, got it just to kill my wife; It’s the only thing for me to do, Since fate brings about that she’s not true, Stop, oh, don’t coax me, friends, You can see I’m near my end. Now you shoved me over that chair And I’ve seen the time you wouldn’t dare; But that’s when bloomed the rose of my life And I had the love of my sweet wife. Now think, it was stolen, by a dirty cur, And in my life it’s put a blur. Yes, I’m the guy that lives next door, Where my crying babe sits on the floor. Wait; I’m going to that swell cafe, My wife’s there, and lead astray. Ah! this is your secret place to dine. And for me, ’twasn’t hard to find, Why not let me meet your friend? He’s beneath the notice of cultured men. Ah! that’s the Italian that carried the note, And he would meet death if I could clutch his throat. Me no caree letter no time, Me com a dis a placa, drinka Italiana wine. Shut up, don’t you dare to speak, You’re part of the cause, you dirty sneak. Ah! and here’s the Jew that hauled your trunk, And the boat that brought him over really should have sunk. Oh! Meister, vate, vate you speak to me rongs, I spyed in this yard an o’ pair tongs. Who’s that Chinaman? I guess he cooked the meal, And he will land in glory quick as I can grab this steel, Woo Long, Sing Lee, Fong Low, Well, old man, I’ll spare your head, For in that language I don’t know what you said. Me noee cookee disee placee, Me gotee laundry, washee lacee. Ask your friend to buy me a drink; Ah! thanks old pal, but I called you a slink. What! is she crying, She’s thinking of our lives, that’s very trying. Oh! now I know just what she sees A once happy husband and living good as you please, There’s a painting in her memory, how I hated drink and gamble; And how I spent my evenings home, for I had no mind to ramble. Then along come you, another suited man, But she being weak, like the most of us, prosperity she couldn’t stand, Then I took to this drug ’Cause it eased the nerves in my head, And ever since I’ve wished that she and I both were dead. Ah! let go of my throat, don’t let him, me boys, Let go of my throat, I tell you. Oh! mercy, There’s my little babe, her voice calls, But woman and liquor is the cause of it all.
THE SUNSHINE OF YESTERDAY
Where goeth the sunshine of beautiful yesterday, When breezes blew light and all nature was gay. Now the birds are mute and refuse to sing, But down twinkles the snow to make the sleigh bells ring I’ll ask a simple question of you one and all, Where goeth the sunshine when the snow begins to fall?
GINGER BAY OUTING
Hush your mouth, don’t say a word, Let me tell the good news I heard. There’s going to be an outing soon Down where folks spend their honeymoon. Its given by the Dark Town club, And they serve chicken by the tub; Another thing their music’s grand, Drums, piano, and old tin pans, Get your ticket and don’t be late, Be at the landing prompt at eight.
Listen! listen! what’s all that noise Everybody’s going to Ginger Bay. There’s old Raz Jones with his slide trombone And you can hear him play it for miles away. Come on boy we’ll have some time, There’ll be lots of swell dancing, And they’ll serve you wine, And if the boat begins to rock Keep right on dancing, if you lose your frock, Be careful what you do When you get a drink or two. And when the boat pulls into land Take your partner by the hand And waltz her off at Ginger Bay.
MY WIFE