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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MAMMY'S LULLABY, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Sleep, mah li'l pigeon, don' yo' heah yo' mammy
Last Line: Sleep, mah li'l pigeon, don' yo' heah yo' mammy coo?


Sleep, mah li'l pigeon, don' yo' heah yo' mammy coo?
Sunset still a-shinin' in de wes';
Sky am full o' windehs an' de stahs am peepin' froo--
Eb'ryt'ing but mammy's lamb at res'.
Swing 'im to'ds de Eas'lan',
Swing 'im to'ds de Souf--
See dat dove a-comin' wif a olive in 'is mouf!
Angel hahps a-hummin'
Angel banjos strummin'--
Sleep, mah li'l pigeon, don' yo' heah yo' mammy coo?

Cricket fiddleh scrapin' off de rozzum f'um 'is bow,
Whippo'will a-mo'nin' on a lawg;
Moon ez pale ez hit kin be a-risin' mighty slow--
Stahtled at de bahkin' ob de dawg;
Swing de baby eas'way,
Swing de baby wes',
Swing 'im to'ds de Souflan' whah de melons grow de bes'!
Angel singers singin',
Angel bells a-ringin',
Sleep, mah li'l pigeon, don' yo' heah yo' mammy coo?

Eyelids des a-droopin' li'l loweh all de w'ile,
Undeh lip a-saggin' des a mite;
Li'l baby toofies showin' so't o' lak a smile,
Whiteh dan de snow, or des ez white.
Swing 'im to'ds de No'flan',
Swing 'im to'ds de Eas'--
Woolly cloud a-comin' fo' t' wrap 'im in 'is fleece!
Angel ban' a-playin'--
Whut dat music sayin'?
Sleep, mah li'l pigeon, don' yo' heah yo' mammy coo?








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