Little 'Rasmus

De Great Good Speret come down from above An' took leetle 'Rasmus away; Took my leetle 'Rasmus dat played peep wid me, En rode out to Banbury Cross on my knee, Took po' leetle 'Rasmus away. Took my leetle 'Rasmus dat played roun' de do' An' danced at de sunbeams dat fell on de flo', Took my leetle 'Rasmus away,

Dat's why I'se down-hearted an' kain't fin' relief, An' ol' an' bent over; I'se loaded with grief Kase 'Rasmus has done gone away. De Great Good Speret comes down from de sky An' hovahs aroun' ebbery day, An' hit 'pears what yo 's lovin' a leetle too much, De Good Speret take it away, Kase He took leetle 'Rasmus away.

But I know de Good Speret mus' be mighty glad, But dis darky's heart am jes' moun ful an' sad Since 'Rasmus has done gone away. An' mos'ly at morn, when de shimperin' breeze Am loiterin' up in de sycamore trees, An' at noon when de sun dances roun' on de flo' Dis ole darky's heart am jes' burdened wid woe, An' at night twixt de win' an' de patterin' rain, My po' soul an' body am restless wid pain Since 'Rasmus has done gone away.

But I know de Good Speret comes down from de sky An' hovahs aroun' ebbery day, An' hit 'pears what yo' worship a leetle too much De Good Speret takes it away, Kase He took lettle 'Rasmus away— Took po' leetle 'Rasmus away.