The Chant Of The Cross-Bearing Child.

    I bear dis cross dis many a mile.
        O de cross-bearin' chile -
            De cross-bearin' chile!

    I bear dis cross 'long many a road
    Wha' de pink ain't bloom' an' de grass done mowed.
        O de cross-bearin' chile -
            De cross-bearin' chile!

    Hits on my conscience all dese days
    Fo' ter bear de cross ut de good Lord lays
    On my po' soul, an' ter lif my praise.
        O de cross-bearin' chile -
            De cross-bearin' chile!

    I 's nigh-'bout weak ez I mos' kin be,
    Yit de Marstah call an' He say, - "You 's free
    Fo' ter 'cept dis cross, an' ter cringe yo' knee
    To no n'er man in de worl' but me!"
        O de cross-bearin' chile -
            De cross-bearin' chile!

    Says you guess wrong, ef I let you guess -
    Says you 'spec' mo', an'-a you git less: -
    Says you go eas', says you go wes',
    An' whense you fine de road ut you like bes'
    You betteh take ch'ice er any er de res'!
        O de cross-bearin' chile -
            De cross-bearin' chile!

    He build my feet, an' He fix de signs
    Dat de shoe hit pinch an' de shoe hit bines
    Ef I on'y w'ah eights an-a wanter w'ah nines;
    I hone fo' de rain, an' de sun hit shines,
    An' whilse I hunt de sun, hits de rain I fines. -
    O-a trim my lamp, an-a gyrd my lines!
        O de cross-bearin' chile -
            De cross-bearin' chile!

    I wade de wet, an' I walk de dry:
    I done tromp long, an' I done clim high;
    An' I pilgrim on ter de jasper sky,
    An' I taken de resk fo' ter cas' my eye
    Wha' de Gate swing wide an' de Lord draw nigh,
    An' de Trump hit blow, an' I hear de cry, -
    "You lay dat cross down by an' by! -
        O de Cross-bearin' Chile -
            Do Cross-bearin' Chile!"