A Christmas Memory

Pa he bringed me here to stay         'Til my Ma she's well. - An' nen      He's go' hitch up, Chris'mus-day,         An' come take me back again      Wher' my Ma's at! Won't I be      Tickled when he comes fer me!      My Ma an' my A'nty they         'Uz each-uvver's sisters. Pa -      A'nty telled me, th' other day, -         He comed here an' married Ma....      A'nty said nen, "Go run play,         I must work now!" ... An' I saw,      When she turn' her face away,         She 'uz cryin'. - An' nen I         'Tend-like I "run play" - an' cry.      This-here house o' A'nty's wher'      They 'uz borned - my Ma an' her! -      An' her Ma 'uz my Ma's Ma,      An' her Pa 'uz my Ma's Pa -      Ain't that funny? - An' they're dead:      An' this-here's "th' ole Homestead." -      An' my A'nty said, an' cried,      It's mine, too, ef my Ma died -      Don't know what she mean - 'cause my      Ma she's nuvver go' to die!      When Pa bringed me here 't 'uz night -         'Way dark night! An' A'nty spread      Me a piece - an' light the light         An' say I must go to bed. -         I cry not to - -but Pa said,      "Be good boy now, like you telled         Mommy 'at you're go' to be!"         An', when he 'uz kissin' me          My good night, his cheeks' all wet      An' taste salty. - An' he held         Wite close to me an' rocked some         An' langhed-like - 'til A'nty come          Git me while he's rockin' yet.      A'nty he'p me, 'til I be      Purt'-nigh strip-pud - nen hug me      In bofe arms an' lif' me 'way      Up in her high bed - an' pray         Wiv me, - 'bout my Ma - an' Pa -      An' ole Santy Claus - an' Sleigh -         An' Reindeers an' little Drum -         Yes, an' Picture-books, "Tom Thumb,"      An' "Three Bears," an' ole "Fee-Faw" -          Yes, an' "Tweedle-Dee" an' "Dum,"          An' "White Knight" an' "Squidjicum,"      An' most things you ever saw! -          An' when A'nty kissed me, she          'Uz all cryin' over me!      Don't want Santy Claus - ner things      Any kind he ever brings! -      Don't want A'nty! - Don't want Pa! -      I ist only want my Ma!