The Colored Preacher On The Wiles of Satan
Who comes prowlin' 'roun de cohner
Wit dat foxy look an' all
Sayin' he am yo' deah bruther
Smilin' when yo's doin wrong?
Dat's de debil.
Who will whisper slyly to yo'?
"Loaf about an' do no work.
Hab a good time in de summah,
Promanade wit yo' white shirt."
Dat's de debil.
Who will squint at yo' in triumph
When yo' wear de leaky shoes,
An' yo' coat am old an' ragged,
An' yo' stomach cries for food?
Dat's de debil.
Who will cock his hat on sideways
Take yo' hand an' say, "good-day!"
Sayin' when it's balmy weathah,
He will come again yo' way?
Dat's de debil.
He am gone, so am de summah;
Shoes am poah, clothes am thin,
Credit bad, pockets empty,
Harvest was not gathering in.
Listen! Dat am de work of de old, old, debil.
Jane Isdell
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