Neber seen a feller grin
Lak dat nigger do;
When you as’ him anything
He des look at you;—
Neber answer what you say—
Grin en grin dat stupid way.
When somebody what don’t know
As’ him what he name,
He hang down dat head ob his
Ez do’ he ashame;
En he show dem teeth ob white
Lak dey speak fo’ him all right.
“Is de cat done got yo’ tongue?”
Mammy as’ him once,
“Or is you des bo’n to be
A dum’, stupid dunce?”
But he hang dat head en grin,
Silly ez he allers bin.

I mos’ b’lieve dat when he git
Up ter heaven’s gate,
If de angels as’ him why
He stan’ dar en wait,
He won’t say: “Please let me in,”
But des grin en grin en grin!