He Is My Horse

One day as I wus a-ridin' by,
Said dey: "Ole man, yō' hoss will die"--
"If he dies, he is my loss;
An' if he lives, he is my hoss."

Nex' day w'en I come a-ridin' by,
Dey said: "Ole man, yō' hoss may die."--
"If he dies, I'll tan 'is skin;
An' if he lives, I'll ride 'im ag'in."

Den ag'in w'en I come a-ridin' by,
Said dey: "Ole man, yō' hoss mought die."--
"If he dies, I'll eat his co'n;
An' if he lives, I'll ride 'im on."