Part 3

Two gray heads bowed in tears, Above hung memories of wasted years, For once they were young with the blessings of health. They sought not happiness, righteousness nor wealth, But now they jog along to end of life’s rope, The end is not far, just o’er the slope. Their lives must be studied With their heads bloomed gray To direct souls Along life’s sweeter way. ’Twill teach you their sorrow Each day ’twill bring The joy that’s in our lives ’Twill loudly ring. But if heads are hard And holds within The things you crave Be worldly sins We’ll go down to a joyless end, Leaving sorrow to have its sway, We’ll be like those two I saw the other day.

HER SOLEMN THOUGHTS

Oh! cruel, cruel fate is mine, Why am I tortured with life so unkind. Cruel as the grave, it means peace for me, For there only, my sorrow, will e’er let me be. Peace or happiness, I truly know not, And gone art the sunshine that lightened my darkened spots The little birds for me do not sing so sweet And the roses have withered from the warm summer’s heat. --_Mrs. Perry H. McGee_

YOUR EYES AND MY EYES

Your eyes so beautiful tells a tale And o’er me holds the bill of sale. With each glance they tenderly bring A little love song for my heart to sing. They hold the warmth around my soul With love, kind love, too sweet to be told.

Were my eyes allowed to tell How my poor heart beats by spells. For your love it really craves, Why send it down to its grave? Time take away my haunted years And your love, sweet love, that’s caused me tears.

Let your eyes shine for me real true, Then I’ll explain more love for you. The world then would cease my sorrow. This brings a brighter day to-morrow, Then forever we’d live in sweet loveland With love, much love, I’d hold your hand.

By your eyes I traced your love, Being guided by the Savior above; I saw a weakening along the way That I could strengthen would it pay, But those things are hard to mend When two has love that doesn’t blend.

Be careful in your daily walks, Because from some source or other there’s always a watching eye.

NATURAL BORN COLORED MAN

Sam Jackson was goin’ with a real yallow gal, the one that he called his own-side pal, But he found she would deceive, she told a friend by the name of Stark. She could love Sam if he wasn’t so dark; This made a discord down town, Cause Sam was standing near, and seemed to overhear and just then he spoke right up and said:

CHORUS

I’m a natural born gen-u-wine colored man, you don’t have to look twice to see who I am, You look at me once and your thoughts will end, cause I got that puro-de colored skin. It’s the kind of skin that the sun don’t tan, this makes me the king of the sunny land, So you go your way but bear in mind I’m what you call the puro-de gen-u-wine.

Now all high yellows to Sam is in vain, he never lets them bother his brain, And all through his life he’ll letum alone, he knows that his skin’s a bit shady, So he will avoid every yellow lady, he’s got a club of his own. Where all brown skins can meet and have a musical treat For every night Sam kindly sings.

A BLOT ON LOVE

On comes the future And brighter day it brings, But prosperity should never bother Love in the heart that sings.

DE GOLDEN COW

Life fo me am one sweet dream Sense I’s been drinken Jersey cream, Ebum, my wife, am changed her wahs She worens a smile eber dah, When I miks dat golden cow.

Yo no when I buyeder my wife jist frond, And to all de nabers she run me doun, I wished yo hear ’er now, she calls me honey, An’ tells me how well I spent my money When I buyed dat golden cow.

All my chuluns jist seems to smile Liker a pasel uv crocker diles, One I’ll stan, an hunch de uder, Dey gits dat actens from dair muder, When I miks dat golden cow.

All de foks dat libs next dooh Try to be so soshul, any mo, But dey needn’t ack, all dat cin, I gits eber body off my mine When I miks dat golden cow.

An dat Jersey neber offers to kick, I’d lose my mind ef she’d git sik, Jist think what it means to my poar heart, How sad ’twould be ef I had to part From miken dat golden cow.

But ef she eber dies, In hebum I no she’ll rest on hi, Cous darh she stoods an hols wid in, An’ neber breeved a breffer sin, Hu dat cow amer golden cow.

MEMORIES

Sweet, sweeter, sweetest memories, Of my great, greater, greatest days, Has come and gone but now returns. As I pass the little church door My poor heart yearns. It wants you and those golden hours That held my sweet, sweeter, sweetest memories.

When I hear The church organ play, My poor heart Just hums away A million of your melodies And my sweet, sweeter, sweetest memories.

All the little birds Just seem to know Of my happy days When you loved me so, For every morn they tenderly sing My sweet, sweeter, sweetest memories.

YOU ARE

You are my morning star, You are my evening’s pride, You are my all and all, You are my love besides.

You are my brightest hope You are my world of gold, You are all of my happiness, You are ne’er to grow cold.

GRAY EYES

Gray eyes, with your haunting, piercing trait, And your infernal deadly bliss, Around my heart still entwins a kiss. Though shame am I to relate.

Gray eyes, this game fate is ruling, Though many are the sad spirits That conscience has seen, From a lonely bench in the park amid the green, With an aching, burning heart No thoughts of you were cooling.

Gray eyes, answer me with your dreamy look, Ah! that loving, tender smile’s a traitor, Sad reflections we both see, The last spark in my heart its took, And I have learned to be your hater.

PICNIC DAY

Driften don de Ohio, Oh, dat muddy ’bio, Hearh dat boat a pufflen, See dem darkies shufflen Ye, dis am picnic day.

When she goes aroun’ de ben Yo see dem darkies gin to grin In dare hearts is powful joy, Yo hearh dat word O, my boy, Dis am picnic day.

Den yo hearh dem banjoes ring Ole time darkies ’gin to sing All dem southern melodies Dat makes yo dance wid so much ease OO, ah, ah, on picnic day.

Soon darh was a razor duel Tween Willie Jackson and Coston Souel, Den de gran master drew his sword An’ boff dem rascals jumped overboad On picnic day.

Den Magie Jones let a scream Like de boat popen off steam, Den she spoke a piece her mine, Saen dis hapens eber time On picnic day.

Den Parson Brown mader speech Dat held de congregation liker leech, All yo folkes oder be a shame Fo tryen to spile de church’s good name I don’t carah ef it am picnic day.

Parson wasn’t fread to say He made his speech jist dat wah, An’ when he’s thru, he wiped his brow, An’ the congergation moaned liker cow On picnic day.

Den de boat pulled into land, Parson madum understand Anybody not actin rite Will walk de water back home to-night, Dis am er church picnic day.

JUST AN IRISHMAN’S WAY

If your name is Mc or O’Maley Come and shake hands with me, That’s the brand killarney gives Before sending us over the sea. No words I can speak To hold more true And to show I’m an Irishman thru and thru, Than those that are blending To the Irish minds Sure Mc or O’Maley Is just the time.

Sure this is an Irishman’s way, Though to you it may seem odd; But the land they are from is a paradise Blessed by the greenest of sod. This makes me proud Sure to be, And to meet an Irishman Just like me. Then we can tell of the lakes and dells And the beautiful shamrock bordered shores.

OFTEN TOLD

Oh! the beautiful morning sun That shineth on the mistic dew, It sparkles different colors Once your eyes would do this, too.

VIOLET AND YOU

Early in the spring Beneath the veranda grew A lonely little violet, And it brought our love anew The days that we were parted.

My heart was ever true, I shall always love this violet, This violet and you. I’ll pluck this little fellow, And to you I’ll tenderly give.

It’s a token of our reunion, May our love always live. Though life could give no sweeter, too, Than this violet, this violet, and you.

And I shall hold in memory This violet, purple and green, For returning life’s happiness To me, that’s what it means. Though my love it blew and blew, Rack to this violet, this violet, and you.

MY WILL

I’m slow to anger when trouble comes, For this is just my build, And to hurt the feelings of another Is usually against my will.

OLEGRIA

Composed May 27, 1920.

Around me at twilight shadows fall, From the beautiful heavens is a childish call. That has haunted me for years and years, Through my bitter sighs and salty tears, It’s Olegria, my little unseen.

Ah! there’s my little darling one To pay me a visit, at the setting of the sun. Be seated here love, on the green sod, You’re a little blessing from our own God, Olegria, my little unseen.

Now listen to the dream, of daddy’s golden hour, But awakened from his slumber by the down twinkling shower. Then I tried to stroke your beautiful brown hair, But the breath of a moment banished you into the air, ’Twas farewell Olegria, my little unseen.

IN AN ALL OLD ROSE

I dreamed you were dressed in an all old rose, So sadly I kissed you while my soul was reposed, I dreamed that you promised some day you’d be mine. I dreamed heaven blessed our love divine, Gone art that night to where no one knows, But I’ll n’er forget you, dressed in that all old rose. You gladden my heart while love breezes blew, I know not where my sorrow then flew, Maybe into lands where love ne’er grows To tell you dressed in an all old rose.

LOVE’S REFLECTIONS

If I had wings, I’d take you and soar To a land of happiness For evermore, Leaving all sorrows To the years we’ve seen, Then Cupid can play On the grassy greens. She’d have no use For her bow and arrow. Our hearts will be true And gay as the sparrow. Then we can gaze down In that valley so deep That held our love Before it could creep.

Entertain no thought other than good, Then evilness around you will ne’er prevail.

An open expression may slip from the lips, But deceit constantly dwells within.

We only receive in value The interest in which we do a thing.

SUMMER IS GONE

When the leaves have all turned brown And through the autumn breeze They come sailing to the ground, This tells me that summer is gone.

Left in the garden is one single rose, Its a sad token that every one knows, Oh! how my heart does sorrowfully swell, When that rose begins to tell that summer is gone.

Now I’ve roamed and tried to find Some place to hide my sorrow behind, But where’er I go Mother nature says so, that summer is gone.

Where are the little birds And their music I heard? They fly side by side To a place that provides, when summer is gone.

The beautiful sun’s hidden behind the clouds And my poor heart almost speaks aloud, To have it return It would cease to yearn, but summer is gone.

IDLENESS

Idleness from day to day Upon the strongest mind bad thought will play Around your heart there’s a knocking, ’Tis consciousness; then to be idle Shows ungodliness.

A SHADOW ON THE BEAUTY OF LIFE

When you wear a frown, from day to day, Having no regards for the right I’ll say Seeking your company without a thought, And deafening your ears to what mother has taught, This puts a shadow on the beauty of life.

If there sits before you a glass that bubbles, It means you only sorrow and troubles, ’Twill take you to the late hours at night And start your longing for wonderful sights. Then a shadow is on the beauty of life.

If you ne’er look before you leap In trying to get money by the heap, To lengthen joy rides in beautiful cars, Soon you will land behind the bars, This spreads a shadow on the beauty of life.

If you’re easy persuaded in doing wrong Your heart will pay with a little sad song, When company isn’t right, travel alone. Then ask God to give you a mind of your own, And you’ll never shadow the beauty of life.

HAPPY AND SORROW

Each happy thought may be followed by sorrow, It can steal away your smiles for to-morrow. The hours we are happy to our lives means a goal, Value happy thoughts for we are fast growing old, Walk a narrow path and from happiness borrow, For happiness could change in the next hour Then sorrow, like rainfall, could pour in showers.

THE SHAWL OF SIN

Oh! sinful shawl That holds me tight, Were you off my shoulders I’d be straight from this night.

My sorrow’s too great To e’er be told. I being so weak And easy to infold.

You have taken my strength And let me fall. May this be a lesson To us one and all.

NATURE

When the sun goes down in the Golden West, Night blankets all nature at rest. Far in the east, creeps up the silvery moon, The night birds then begin to spoon.

A heart that is a dangerous one Is a heart that cannot hold a secret.

Fate rules, time brings about All of God’s blessing that’s in store for us.

A restful night makes bright the morn, This leads on to endless joy Making life worth while.

DEMOCRACY

War is over, peace is signed, Will the colored man be in the place he used to find? Well, he really should not for in the war he was true And he’s waiting now to see what Democracy will do. Stand up! America, you’re the land of the noble and free, But you’re letting other countries mention things you ought to see. Oh! but we will live in hopes without a thought of feeling blue, But remember our little children knows what Democracy ought to do. Now to be frank, with you America and other countries know Just how you treat the colored man, with that awful old jimcrow. We can be intelligent, dressed sufficient, when we walk in, As a rule we are grossly insulted on the account of the color of skin.

I had a dream, America, just a dream of you. But I hope it was a nightmare only passing through. I saw you in another war, cannons roared, before declared, But if I were you I’d stay at home and clean my own golden stairs. Oh, but we will praise the Lord, from whom all blessings flow and sing And watch that word Democracy, for we know what it ought to bring.

Give your time and thought To the better side of life.

BREATH OF LOVE

Moments by moments, hours by hours, Your love in my heart just pours in showers. Breath of love. Breath by breath, smile by smile, May your love bring to my heart no vile Breath of love. Word by word, to ease by ease, My love is all yours to treat as you please. Breath of love. Side by side, hand in hand, Pure love, sweet love, will always stand.

THE CONVICT

Cling, clang, the anvil rang Behind the prison walls a convict sang A song of his innocence as he worked away, And for keeping bad company this was his pay.

He was coaxed by mother, sister and brother Before the handcuffs came, But now he’s clothed in a little striped suit, And to face the world again he’s ashamed.

Life is so short, death sleep is so long, Think kind of me now not after I’m gone.

Steal not from yourself nowadays For your work is your boss.

ALWAYS

There’s always a look in your eyes, There’s always a rose in your smile, Could there be a feeling in your heart To my life that means worth while.

There’s always times I long for you, There’s always times I feel sad. I wonder if those times could be brightened To make my poor heart glad.

There’s always my golden dreams, There’s always my thoughts of love, And you are a tender blessing dear That flowed from the heavens above.

There’s always a cloudy day, There’s always a little sunshine, But there would be no cloudy ones If you’ll promise to be mine.

ALL

All, to our lives is pure sweet love All, in a day it can grow, All, in a moment it can leave us, All, of us don’t think so.

All, of our thoughts of happiness, All, of our smiles in between, All, could be dead by tomorrow, All, could be love’s saddest scene.

Our lives are passing ne’er to repass, Quoting these words to memory Could save your soul.

FADED LOVE

Gone art your love, that I once knew, It faded like a rose for the want of dew, But God bless you, dear, From sorrow and care. But there lies memories of your faded love.

Though I’ll go along life’s gay way, Plucking the roses of a bright summer’s day. Weakened but guided by the Savior above, But still there’s memories of your faded love.

Enchanted in my heart were you so strong I never dreamed fate could guide you wrong. From the wilderness came the mourn of a dove, It knows the sad story of your faded love.

Onward to me the years may fly But not relieved of my tears and sighs. Remember I held you with my little golden gloves Till the distant times brought your faded love.

WHERE THE SUN NE’ER KISSED

Back o’er the mountain Where the sun ne’er shines Was left a snow drift From winter time. In this lonely little spot Where nothing will grow The warm summer winds Ne’er melts the snow.

THE BREATH OF A ROSE

You have a soul as tender as the breath of a rose, Each day my life’s worth living as our love grows and grows, There never shone a star as bright, no sweeter words could have come to light.

And there’s a compensation to you life owes, For your soul being as tender as the breath of a rose, And the coldest night the winter wind blows In my heart’s a humming that no one knows.

My love for you just gently flows, While I sit and think of the words to compose. May always your soul be tender As the breath of a rose.

THE WILD ROSE

The little wild rose I gave to you ’Tis a token of my love, Will you be true?

It was losing its petals, For autumn was near, But love so humble, For you my dear.

If all through life This rose could speak, ’Twould strengthen our love Should it e’er grow weak.

A SONG OF A BROKEN HEART

Just as many days that my heart has broken I will count and hold as love’s sad token, But just the way my heart is aching Some day you’ll love, then you’ll be forsaken. You may be happy for a time, in a way, But fate will overrule, then you’re sure to pay, And when that time comes you’ll sit and look in space. In each, and every vision, will be my broken-hearted face. Then you will see and solemnly plead To have the time shortened, my heart did bleed. But remember when you’re playing with the game of love You can fool many a body, but think whose above.

THE END OF LIFE

Our lives is like a ball of twine, Day by day it unwinds, As if tied to a reel that you turn and turn; This is what every soul should learn. Who only knows where the end will appear On this tiny little string holding life so dear. Above is our judge to handle this case, We know not when the time, nor space Being numbered in moments, days, hours, and years, Save us, Oh! Lord, as the time draws near; And when the end cometh its the work of our God Then forever we’ll sleep beneath the sod.

Blessed art the ones Whom our Father crowns. But lost art the ones Whom seeketh and ne’er found.

A POET’S DARK DAY

Listen to the humble words That a down-hearted poet did write; He was in a world of darkness And could not see no light.

His mind was on one person, But his soul was somewhat chilled, Though he’d smile when spoken to, For this was just his build.

Maybe his mind is traveling, Is why he looks in space, His heart is loving some one, His actions proves the case.

But soon his thoughts will change To sunshine or maybe flowers, Then with joy he’ll sit and write For hours after hours.

A poet has many a thought That come and go each day, He dwells in the land of beautiful scenes, Though some are a thousand miles away.

His sweetest thoughts is tender love, His next is the breath of a rose, And oh! how the two, gladdens hearts When their souls are reposed.

Drink not of a bottle That has sparkling bubbles, This habit once formed Means a world of trouble.

MY THOUGHTS OF YOU

Here are my thoughts Of you, little friend, As I pass your gate And gently look in.

Your rose-bloomed face And tender smile To any one living, They’re really worth while.

You always seem gay As the days are long, In your heart there must hum A sweet love song.

This tells the story Just as you look, My thoughts of you Will be in a book.

GOOD SPIRIT

Oh! dwell with me good spirit In my heart let there ring Love for all of God’s creation Flow from my lips when I sing.

Deep in my heart Let joy be known And more love for our Father Whom sitteth on the throne.

You have a moment to think, And an hour to act, this reversed Could mean you harm.

A POET’S POWER

Sleep, dearest one, sleep, May you dream of bright fond love This poem that I write of you Is sent from the heavens above.

And o’er you will soar an angel With golden wings, ’twill fan your brow, My love for you in heaven’s record, Be humble to our Savior for this blessing he allows.

This angel will guide you o’er A path in which you may sin, But let our tender thoughts be of each other From the beginning to the end.

At times you may sit and wonder Why you want me dear, I being born unfortunately poor, But the power in my writing holds you near.

ROUGH ROAD

My heart beats weak But my thoughts strong, Jogging up the road to success, And my strength has left me so, But I never stop to rest.

We are born in this world With burdens laid out To shoulder as the years go by.

A POET’S THOUGHTS

A poet’s thoughts are as deep As the old sad sea, And he holds love for his work That will always be.

A joy to his heart That comes in dreams, sweet dreams, And he’s a humble fellow, Just as humble as he seems.

His heart is very tender And this is easy explained, For he’s always thinking To relieve, some heart of it’s pain.

Night and day he labors, With gift he loves so well, And when he’ll ever tire, Time, can only tell.

WHAT WE GET

The early bird gets the worm, The wise man gets the money, Jack Frost gets the autumn leaves, The little bee gets the honey. The working man gets his meals (sometimes) The doctor gets his calls But what’s the use in worrying, friends, The graveyard gets us all.

HIDDEN THOUGHTS