Yawcob Strauss and Other Poems/Der Deutscher's Maxim


 * Dheke vas vot you call a maxim
 * Dot I hear der oder day,
 * Und I wride id in mine album,
 * So id don'd could got avay;
 * Und I dells mine leedle Yawcob
 * He moost mind vot he's aboudt;
 * "'Tis too late to lock der shtable
 * Vhen der horse he vas gone oudt."




 * Vhen I see ubon der corners
 * Off der shtreets, most efry night,
 * Der loafers und der hoodlums,
 * Who do nix but shvear und fight,
 * I says to mine Katrina,
 * "Let us make home bright und gay;
 * Ve had petter lock der shtable,
 * So our colts don'd got avay."




 * Vhen you see dhose leedle urchins,
 * Not mooch ofer knee-high tall,
 * Shump righdt indo der melon-patch,
 * Shust owf der garden vall,
 * Und vatch each leedle rashkell
 * Vhen he cooms hack mit hees "boodle,"
 * Look oudt und lock your shtable,
 * So your own nag don'd shkydoodle!




 * Vben der young man at der counter
 * Vants to shpecgulate in shtocks,
 * Und buys hees girl some timond rings,
 * Und piles righdt oup der rocks,
 * Look oudt for dot young feller;
 * Id vas safe enuff to say
 * Dot der shtable id vas empty,
 * Und der horse vas gone avay.


 * Dhen dake Time by der fetlock:
 * Don'd hurry droo life's courses;
 * Rememper vot der boet says,
 * "Life's but a shpan"—off horses.
 * Der poy he vas der comin' man;
 * Be careful vhile you may;
 * Shust keep der shtable bolted,
 * Und der horse don'd got avay.