Yawcob Strauss and Other Poems/"Cut, Cut Behind!"


 * Vhen shnow und ice vas on der ground,
 * Und merry shleigh-bells shingle;
 * Vhen Shack Frost he vas been around,
 * Und makes mine oldt ears tingle—
 * I hear dhose roguish gamins say,
 * "Let shoy pe unconfined!"
 * Und dhen dhey go for efry shleigh,
 * Und yell, " Cut, cut pehind!"


 * It makes me shust feel young some more
 * To hear dhose youngsters yell,
 * Und eef I don'd vas shtiff und sore,
 * Py shings! I shust vould—vell,
 * Vhen some oldt pung vas coomin' py,
 * I dink I'd feel inclined
 * To shump righdt in upon der shly,
 * Und shout, "Cut, cut pehind!"


 * I mind me vot mine fader said
 * Vonce, vhen I vas a poy,
 * Mit meeschief alvays in mine head,
 * Und fool off life und shoy.
 * "Now, Hans, keep off der shleighs," says he,
 * "Or else shust bear in mind,
 * I dake you righdt across mine knee,
 * Und cut, cut, cut pehind!"




 * Vell, dot vas years und years ago,
 * Und mine young Yawcob, too,
 * Vas now shkydoodling droo der shnow,
 * Shust like I used to do;
 * Und vhen der pungs coom py mine house,
 * I shust peeks droo der plind,
 * Und sings oudt, " Go id, Yawcob Strauss,
 * Cut, cut, cut, cut pehind!"