Langston Hughes “Sylvester's Dying Bed ('42)”

I woke up this mornin'
'Bout half-past three.
All the womens in town
Was gathered round me.

Sweet gals was a-moanin'
"Sylwester's gonna die!"
And a hundred pretty mamas
Bowed their heads to cry.

I woke up little later
'Bout half-past fo'
The doctor 'n' undertaker's
Both at ma do'

Black gals was a-beggin'
"You can't leave us here!"
Brown-skins cryin' "Daddy!

Honey! Baby! DOn't go, dear!"

But I felt ma time's a comin'
And I know'd I's dying fast.
I seed the Rivver Jerden
A-creepin' muddy past-

But I's still Sweet Papa 'Vester,
Yes, sir! Long as life do last!
So I hollers "Co'ere babies,
Fo' to ove yo' daddy right!"

And I reaches up to hug'em-
When the Lawd put out the light.
Then everything was darkness

In a great... big... night.