Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By Paul LaurenceDunbar

1644 A Death Song

LAY me down beneaf de willers in de grass,

Whah de branch ’ll go a-singin’ as it pass.

An’ w’en I ’s a-layin’ low,

I kin hyeah it as it go

Singin’, “Sleep, my honey, tek yo’ res’ at las’.”

Lay me nigh to whah hit meks a little pool,

An’ de watah stan’s so quiet lak an’ cool,

Whah de little birds in spring

Ust to come an’ drink an’ sing,

An’ de chillen waded on dey way to school.

Let me settle w’en my shouldahs draps dey load

Nigh enough to hyeah de noises in de road;

Fu’ I t’ink de las’ long res’

Gwine to soothe my sperrit bes’

Ef I ’s layin’ ’mong de t’ings I ’s allus knowed.