Mythology & Folklore
The Old Section Boss
From Negro Folk Rhymes (1922)
I once knowed an ole Sexion Boss but he done been laid low.
I once knowed an ole Sexion Boss but he done been laid low.
He "Caame frum gude ole Ireland some fawhrty year ago."
W'en I ax 'im fer a job, he say: "Nayger, w'at can yer do?"
W'en I ax 'im fer a job, he say: "Nayger, w'at can yer do?"
"I can line de track; tote de jack, de pick an' shovel too."
Says he: "Nayger, de railroad's done, an' de chyars is on de track,"
Says he: "Nayger, de railroad's done, an' de chyars is on de track,"
"Transportation brung yer here, but yō' money'll take yer back."
I went down to de Deepo, an' my ticket I shō' did draw.
I went down to de Deepo, an' my ticket I shō' did draw.
To take me over dat ole Iron Mountain to de State o' Arkansaw.
As I went sailin' down de road, I met my mudder-in-law.
I wus so tired an' hongry, man, dat I couldn' wuk my jaw.
Fer I hadn't had no decent grub since I lef' ole Arkansaw.
Her bread wus hard corndodgers; dat meat, I couldn' chaw.
Her bread wus hard corndodgers; dat meat, I couldn' chaw.
You see; dat's de way de Hoosiers feeds way out in Arkansaw.
Cite this poem
MLA
Thomas W. Talley (collector). “The Old Section Boss.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/talley/84/.
Chicago
Thomas W. Talley (collector). “The Old Section Boss.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/talley/84/.
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