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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SERENADE AT THE CABIN by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: OH, MY LITTLE SADIE SUE, I'S A-SERENADIN'
Last Line: MY LITTLE, LIGHT-COMPLECTED SADIE SUE!
Subject(s): DANCING & DANCERS; LOVE; SINGING & SINGERS;

Oh, my little Sadie Sue, I's a-serenadin' you --
Fer you's de onliest lady-love o' mine;
De White Folk's dance done over, I has still a chune er two
Below your winder's mohnin'-glory-vine.
Your good ole mammy's gyarden is, fer shore, a ha'nted place,
Dis midnight whilse I's cropin' 'mongst de bloom;
Yit de moon dah 'bove de chimbly ain' no fairer dan de face
What's hidin' 'hind de curtain o' your room.

@3Chorus@1

Den wake, my colored blonde with eyes o' blue,
An' lips ez red ez roses renshed with dew;
Yo' hair ez fair an' fine
Ez de skeins o' June sunshine,
My little, light-complected Sadie Sue!

In de "Gran's" old dinin'-hall, playin' fer de White Folk's ball,
I watch deir pick o' ladies ez dey glide,
An' says I, "My Sadie Sue she 'ud shorely best you all
Ef she 'uz here a-waltzin' by my side!"
Den I laugh all to myse'f-like, ez I swipe de twangin' strings
An' shet my eyes in sweetest dreams o' you, --
Fer you're my heart's own music dat forever beats an' sings --
My soul's own serenade -- my Sadie Sue!

@3Chorus@1

Den wake, my colored blonde with eyes o' blue,
An' lips ez red ez roses renshed with dew;
Yo' hair ez fair an' fine
Ez de skeins o' June sunshine,
My little, light-complected Sadie Sue!



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