Keep a Song Up on de Way
Oh, de clouds is mighty heavyAn’ de rain is mighty thick;Keep a song up on de way.An’ de waters is a rumblin’On de boulders in de crick,Keep a song up on de way.Fu’ a bird ercross de roadIs a-singin’ lak he knowedDat we people did n’t daihFu’ to try de rainy aihWid a song up on de way.
What’s de use o’ gittin’ mopy,Case de weather ain’ de bes’!Keep a song up on de way.W’en de rain is fallin’ ha’des’,Dey ‘s de longes’ times to res’Keep a song up on de way.Dough de plough ‘s a-stan’in’ stillDey ‘ll be watah fu’ de mill,Rain mus’ come ez well ez sun‘Fo’ de weathah’s wo’k is done,Keep a song up on de way.
W’y hit’s nice to hyeah de showahsFallin’ down ermong de trees:Keep a song up on de way.Ef de birds don’ bothah ’bout it,But go singin’ lak dey please,Keep a song up on de way.You don’ s’pose I’s gwine to seeDem ah fowls do mo’ dan me?No, suh, I ‘ll des chase dis frown,An’ aldough de rain fall down,Keep a song up on de way.