Yawcob Strauss and Other Poems/Mine Katrine

You vouldn't dink mine frau If you shust look at her now, Vhere der wrinkles on her prow Long haf been,

Vas der fräulein blump und fair, Mit der wafy flaxen hair, Who did vonce mine heart enshnare— Mine Katrine.

Der dime seems shord to me Since ve game acrosd der sea, To der gountry off der free Ve'd neffer seen;

Bud ve hear der beople say Dhere vas vork und blendy bay, So I shtarted righdt avay Mit Katrine.

Oh, der shoy dot filled mine house Vhen dot goot oldt Toctor Krauss Brought us "Leedle Yawcob Strauss," Shveet und clean;

Vhy, I don'd pelief mine eyes Vhen I look, now, mit surbrise, On dot feller, shust der size Off Katrine!

Den "dot leedle babe off mine," He vas grown so tall und fine— Shust so sdrait as any pine You effer seen,

Und der beoples all agree Sooch fine poys dhey neffer see. (Dhey looks much more like ine     As Katrine.)

Veil, ve haf our criefs und shoys, Und dhere's naught our lofe destroys, Budt I miss dhose leedle poys Dot used to been;

Und der tears vill somedime sdart, Und I feels so sick at heart, Vhen I dinks I soon must part From Katrine.

Oldt Time vill soon pe here, Mit his sickle und his shpear, Und vill vhisper in mine ear Mit sober mien:

"You must cooin along mit me, For id vas der Lord's decree; Und von day dhose poys you'll see     Und Katrine."