Versos English Benjamin Franklin King Gedder in Yo' Grain

English poem

Gedder in Yo' Grain

by (1857–1894)

Listen in the reader

De ole plow hoss is busy Breshin' flies off wid his tail, De ole dog's got a move on him Dat's zackly like a snail. De meddeh grass is noddin' En off yondah in de lane I kin hyar de tree toads warnin' "Bettah gedder in yo' grain."

Doan yo' hyar de frogs a-gurglin' Dar out yondah in de pond? What's de mattah wid de catbird, Doan yo' hyar his voice respond? Ain't de hull of 'em a-tellin' yo' In language mighty plain, "Doan be frivlin' way yo' moments, Bettah gedder in yo' grain/"

Ain't de bumble bee a-hummin' 'Mongst de clovah tops an' flowahs, Whilst de ole clock am a-tickin' 'way De minutes an de houahs? Chile, yo's got to be a-hus'lin' To ketch de wisdom train. Doan waste no opportunities, But gedder in yo' grain.