Da Banda Concert

I like for tak’ my gooda wife

     On Sunday by da hand

An’ go to Common in da shade

     An’ leeson to da band.

She lika music vera mooch

     I like heem playuta wal;

My leeta boy he like heem too,

     An’ so my leeta gal.

Da ‘Mericana band so sweet

     W’en he play soft an’ low;

I lika ol’ plantation song,

     Da “Swanee Ol’ Black Joe”.

Bimeby he play heem up so smart,

     Som’ march like “Yankee Dood’”,

An’ beeg crowd he jist jump for joy,

Baycause he feel so good.

Dan com’ da tune by Dago man,

     We hear in Eetaly;

I turn for see my gooda wife

     Wipe beeg tear from her eye.

An’ dan I squeeze her han’ an’ say:

     “You want for Eet’ly shore?”

“O, no,” she say, “but mak’ me cry

     For hear dat piece once more.”

Aug. 15, ‘09