I does try ter fetch up Jim
So de white folks respec’ him;
But in spite ob all I say
He des set out dar all day
On de back do’ step, en play
Dat jew’s harp.
De fus job he git ter do,
I wus glad, it sho am true;
But he come home, sleek en sly,
Wid de sunshine in his eye,
Soon’s he git enough ter buy
Dat jew’s harp.
“You black nigger, you!” I say,
“Whar yo’ senses gone ter-day?
Don’t you know when niggers eat
Dey mus’ ’arn dey bread en meat?”
But he des play, sof’ en sweet,
Dat jew’s harp.

When I tell ole Missus once
Jim wus des a lazy dunce,
She say: “Hush! Don’ talk dat way;
He’s a ginious, I dare say,
En de muses bid him play
Dat jew’s harp.”
Pshaw! De ginious en de muses!
What’s de use ob dem ixcuses?
If I hab ter flog dat Jim
Wid a great big hick’ry lim’,
Bet he’ll frow away frum him
Dat jew’s harp!