The Complete Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar/A Spiritual

A SPIRITUAL

De 'cession's stahted on de gospel way, De Capting is a-drawin' nigh: Bettah stop a-foolin' an' a-try to pray; Lif' up yo' haid w'en de King go by!

Oh, sinnah mou'nin' in de dusty road, Hyeah 's de minute fu' to dry yo' eye: Dey 's a moughty One a-comin' fu' to baih yo' load; Lif' up yo' haid w'en de King go by!

Oh, widder weepin' by yo' husban's grave, Hit 's bettah fu' to sing den sigh: Hyeah come de Mastah wid de powah to save; Lif' up yo' haid w'en de King go by!

Oh, orphans a-weepin' lak de widder do, An' I wish you 'd tell me why: De Mastah is a mammy an' a pappy too; Lif' up yo' haid w'en de King go by!

Oh, Moses sot de sarpint in de wildahness W'en de chillun had commenced to die: Some 'efused to look, but hit cuohed de res'; Lif' up yo' haid w'en de King go by!

Bow down, bow 'way down, Bow down, But lif' up yo' haid w'en de King go by!