Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-11-26
humorous department.
DE THANKselVIN RLEssIN'.

Set down. Indy Whar's yo' mammals
Amt you got no raisln', chile?
Don't be re'chin' 'crost de table! Pos
sum sets you chilrn will!
Don't you know dis heah's Thankgiv-
in? We's a-gwineter have pra'r
'Fo' we teches dem dar 'possums er
dem taters-git back dar!
Now, ole oman, keep desc chilfn wild
deyr haids all bowed down low
Whilst l offahs up de blessin' fer de
family. Hans down! So!
"Lawd, we DON know how to m'asure
whut You does up darn de sky,
But we knows in all Yo' givin' dat You
nevah pass us by;
And we's grateful fer de good things
You continues to dispense
From de cawn-c crib and de smoke-house
Nv Yo' lovin' providence.
Thank de Lawd fer all His blessin's,
specify dem dat He ordains
Fer de niggah's faithful stummick and
de honger hit contains
Sech ez red-meat watermillions, STORM
up de natal juice
Wv de summer times bes' honey for de
homes niggah's use.
And we thanks You, Lawd, fer roas'n'
yeahs and fer de yaller yam,
Fer de cawn-cake in de ashes and de
ham-bone in de ham;
We remembahs You mos kindly fer de
bacon and de beans,
And fer good pot-licker eXtry wild de
jowl and turnip greens.
And dey hain't no mawtal music to us
niggahs heah below
Like de goblin Nv de gobblah and de
ROSTERS lawdly crow.
Fer desc blessin's and all othahs we Is
grateful I,awd alwayS
But we IFS de chune up higher in de
dear ole 'possum'S praise;
Case we shouts in halleluiahs fer de
maxim NV dis beas'
Ez de cov'nant wild de niggah in dis
heah Thanksgivin' feas'!"
Link! Whut make yo' mouf so greasy?
M'randy! Whut you munchin' on
Stop, you sackerleegious varmint!
.Whar's dat bigges' tater gone?
Drap 1t back dar, Lizy! Heah me! Dis
heah amt no eatin' race!
Now, ole oman, min desc chill'n whilst
finish sayin' grace!
"Lawd, dey tells me dat de 'possum
am de oldes' critter yit,
And we knows dat You's perceived him
fer de niggah's benefit!
And we thanks you, Lawd, fer deze
two case dey wuz so fat and hale
From de whiskers on deyr nostrils to
de col and naked tail!
Case de 'possum's good all over, from
dat tantalizin' grin
To de marrer- bones and chittlin's and
de gravy in de skin!
Den we thanks de Lawd fer givin' mig
gahs edjicated tas'e,
Sos at dey kin eat de 'possum d out
single drap Nv vase!
Angels, look down on dis picture!
ChilPn waitin' fer a piece,
Ever little mouf a-drippin' wild thanks
givin' at de feas'!
And de parents bofe a-praisin' Him
from whom all blessins flow
Him dat keeps de blackes' niggah same
ez dem dats white ez snow!
Lawd, we honors de traditions Nv de
niggah to de en-;
Bless us whilst we taken de creases
out'n our stummicks now. Amen!
Lawdy mussy! Whar's dem 'possums?
And dem taters-dey's gone too!
And de gravy done sopped out'n bofe
de platters clean ez new!
Link! Mrandy! Zeke! ole oman!
Eff de las one amt cut out!
May dyspepsy ha'nt deyr stummicks
and deyr feet swell up with gout!
Me a-prayin' and a-praisin' to de Lawd
dat nevah fail,
Dey a-stealin' at de altar, leavin moth
in but de tail!
L.eavin' misery in my in'ards, and de
in'ards moanin' on
Case I didn't ak de blessin' TO 1
blowed de dinnah hon!
But I'll promise de ole oman and dem
chill'n powerful strong
Dat de next Thanksgivin' pra'r won
be so everlastin' long!
H. L Piner, in Century Magazine.