Mythology & Folklore

The Town and the Country Bird

by Thomas W. Talley (collector) 1870–1952

From Negro Folk Rhymes (1922)

Mythology & Folklore

Jaybird a-swingin' a two hoss plow;
"Sparrer, why not you?"
"W'y--! My legs so liddle an' slender, man,
I'se fear'd dey'd break in two."

Jaybird answer: "What'd you say?--
I sometimes worms terbaccy;
But I'd druther plow sweet taters too,
Dan to be a ole Town Tacky!"

Jaybird up in de Sugar tree,
De sparrer on de groun';
De jaybird shake de sugar down,
An' de sparrer pass it 'roun'.

De jaybird say: "Save some fer me;
I needs it w'en I bakes."
De sparrer say: "Use 'lasses, Suh!
Dat suits fer Country-Jakes!"

MLA

Thomas W. Talley (collector). “The Town and the Country Bird.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/talley/248/.

Chicago

Thomas W. Talley (collector). “The Town and the Country Bird.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/talley/248/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

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