[@3Writ durin' State Fair at Indanoplis, whilse visitin' a Soninlaw then residin' thare, who has sence got back to the country whare he says a man that's raised there ort to a-stayed in the first place@1.] I TELL you what I'd ruther do -- Ef I only had my ruthers, -- I'd ruther work when I wanted to Than be bossed round by others; -- I'd ruther kindo' git the swing O' what was @3needed@1, first, I jing! Afore I @3swet@1 at anything! -- Ef I only had my ruthers; -- In fact I'd aim to be the same With all men as my brothers; And they'd all be the same with @3me@1 -- Ef I only had my ruthers. I wouldn't likely know it all -- Ef I only had my ruthers; -- I'd know @3some@1 sense, and some baseball -- Some @3old@1 jokes, and -- some others: I'd know @3some politics@1, and 'low Some tarif-speeches same as now, Then go hear Nye on "Branes and How To Detect Theyr Presence." @3T'others@1, That stayed away, I'd @3let@1 'em stay -- All my dissentin' brothers Could chuse as shore a kill er cuore, Ef I only had my ruthers. The pore 'ud git theyr dues @3some@1 times -- Ef I only had my ruthers, -- And be paid @3dollars@1 'stid o' @3dimes@1, Fer children, wives and mothers: Theyr boy that slaves; theyr girl that sews -- Fer @3others@1 -- not herself, God knows! -- The grave's @3her@1 only change of clothes! . . . Ef I only had my ruthers, They'd all have "stuff" and time enugh To answer one-another's Appealin' prayer fer "lovin' care" -- Ef I only had my ruthers. They'd be few folks 'ud ast fer trust, Ef I only had my ruthers, And blame few business men to bu'st Theyrselves, er harts of others: Big Guns that come here durin' Fair- Week could put up jest anywhare, And find a full-and-plenty thare, Ef I only had my ruthers: The rich and great 'ud 'sociate With all theyr lowly brothers, Feelin' @3we@1 done the honorun -- Ef I only had my ruthers. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BATTLE-FIELD by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT PICTURES OF MEMORY by ALICE CARY NEED OF LOVING by STRICKLAND GILLILAN THE NIGHT-PIECE: TO JULIA by ROBERT HERRICK A SONNET, TO THE NOBLE LADY, THE LADY MARY WROTH by BEN JONSON THE ENTHUSIAST by HERMAN MELVILLE |