Work Songs

Poet: Ken Jordan Poem: Work Songs Edited by: Sparkle Jordan written: February/2014 O'l  black man, and black woman, Straighten up yo back - Pull some Chickweed, to heal the welts, on yo black skin, from  the lashes of  the white man's whip -    and Wipe away the tears from yo  eyes - You've  slaved in the fields from sun up to sun down - Made it through another day, and damn near died - Now supper time  is calling - Eat up! fill yo belly full - drank two  hands  full of well water, and sing those ***** work songs - Master said get plenty of rest - Fo tomorrow morn'n will come for some - Got acres  of cotton to pick, Bales to tote, and another field to  Plow - Eat up! O'l black man and black woman - Better work hard through yo pain - No matter how difficult It gets - Never quit, but Don't you dare run - Fo White men on horses, with whips, will catch you, and beat you down - Yo black neck will fit the noose  of a rope, dangling from southern  trees - So gon now - Eat up! Fill yo belly full - Just know, that you slave all day to stay  alive - Keep yo faith, believe that it's  gon get better - So Hum in the fields, and sing those  ***** work songs -