Social Commentaries

Jack and Dinah Want Freedom

by Thomas W. Talley (collector) 1870–1952

From Negro Folk Rhymes (1922)

Social Commentaries

Ole Aunt Dinah, she's jes lak me.
She wuk so hard dat she want to be free.
But, you know, Aunt Dinah's gittin' sorter ole;
An' she's feared to go to Canada, caze it's so cōl'.

Dar wus ole Uncle Jack, he want to git free.
He find de way Norf by de moss on de tree.
He cross dat river a-floatin' in a tub.
Dem Patterollers give 'im a mighty close rub.

Dar is ole Uncle Billy, he's a mighty good Nigger.
He tote all de news to Mosser a little bigger.
When you tells Uncle Billy, you wants free fer a fac';
De nex' day de hide drap off'n yō' back.

MLA

Thomas W. Talley (collector). “Jack and Dinah Want Freedom.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/talley/335/.

Chicago

Thomas W. Talley (collector). “Jack and Dinah Want Freedom.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/talley/335/.

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