Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


PLANTATION HYMN by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: HEAR DAT RUM'LIN' IN DE SKY!
Last Line: AS HE GOES WALKIN' BY!
Subject(s): AFRICAN AMERICANS - SONG AND MUSIC; BLACK SONGS; JESUS CHRIST; SLAVERY; NEGRO SPIRITUALS; SERFS;

HEAR dat rum'lin' in de sky!
Hol' fas', brudders, till you git dah!
O, dat's de good Lord walkin' by,
Hol' fas', brudders, till you git dah!

CHORUS

Mahster! Jesus!
You done come down to please us,
And dahs de good Lord sees us,
As he goes walkin' by!

See dat lightnin' lick his tongue?
Hol' fas', brudders, till you git dah!
'Spec he taste de song 'ut de angels sung --
Hol' fas', brudders, till you git dah!

De big black clouds is bust in two,
Hol' fas', brudders, till you git dah!
And dahs de 'postles peekin' frue,
Hol' fas', brudders, till you git dah!

Know dem angels ev'ry one,
Hol' fas', brudders, till you git dah!
Kase dey's got wings and we'se got none,
Hol' fas', brudders, till you git dah!

CHORUS

Mahster! Jesus!
You done come down to please us,
And dahs de good Lord sees us,
As he goes walkin' by!



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