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A Preference

By Paul Laurence Dunbar

Topics: classic

Mastah drink his ol' Made'a,     Missy drink huh sherry wine,     Ovahseah lak his whiskey,     But dat othah drink is mine,     Des' 'lasses an' watah, 'lasses an' watah.     Wen you git a steamin' hoe-cake     On de table, go way, man!     'D ain but one t'ing to go wid it,     'Sides de gravy in de pan,     Dat 's 'lasses an' watah, 'lasses an' watah.     W'en hit 's 'possum dat you eatin',     'Simmon beer is moughty sweet;     But fu' evahday consumin'     'D ain't no mo'tal way to beat     Des' 'lasses an' watah, 'lasses an' watah.     W'y de bees is allus busy,     An' ain' got no time to was'?     Hit's beca'se dey knows de honey     Dey 's a makin', gwine to tas'     Lak 'lasses an' watah, 'lasses an' watah.     Oh, hit 's moughty mil' an' soothin',     An' hit don' go to yo' haid;     Dat 's de reason I 's a-backin'     Up de othah wo'ds I said,     "Des 'lasses an' watah, 'lasses an' watah."

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"Mastah drink his ol' Made'a,..."

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Author:Paul Laurence Dunbar

"Mastah drink his ol' Made'a,..." by Paul Laurence Dunbar

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"The Text is taken from Percy's Reliques (1765), vol. i. p. 71, 'given from two MS. copies, transmitted from Scotland.' Herd had a very similar bal"

Paul Laurence Dunbar

About Paul Laurence Dunbar

Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872–1906) was an American poet and novelist who was one of the first African-American writers to gain national prominence. His poems in dialect—including "When Malindy Sings"—and standard English explore Black life with humor, pathos, and dignity.

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