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Paul Laurence Dunbar - Angelina
Work rating: Low

When de fiddle gits to singin` out a ol` Vahginny reel,
  An` you `mence to feel a ticklin` in yo` toe an` in yo` heel;
  Ef you t`ink you got `uligion an` you wants to keep it, too,
  You jes` bettah tek a hint an` git yo`self clean out o` view.
  Case de time is mighty temptin` when de chune is in de swing,
  Fu` a darky, saint or sinner man, to cut de pigeon-wing.
  An` you could n`t he`p f`om dancin` ef yo` feet was boun` wif twine,
  When Angelina Johnson comes a-swingin` down de line.

  Don`t you know Miss Angelina? She `s de da`lin` of de place.
  W`y, dey ain`t no high-toned lady wif sich mannahs an` sich grace.
  She kin move across de cabin, wif its planks all rough an` wo`;
  Jes` de same `s ef she was dancin` on ol` mistus` ball-room flo`.
  Fact is, you do` see no cabin--evaht`ing you see look grand,
  An` dat one ol` squeaky fiddle soun` to you jes` lak a ban`;
  Cotton britches look lak broadclof an` a linsey dress look fine,
  When Angelina Johnson comes a-swingin` down de line.

  Some folks say dat dancin `s sinful, an` de blessed Lawd, dey say,
  Gwine to punish us fu` steppin` w`en we hyeah de music play.
  But I tell you I don` b`lieve it, fu` de Lawd is wise and good,
  An` he made de banjo`s metal an` he made de fiddle`s wood,
  An` he made de music in dem, so I don` quite t`ink he `ll keer
  Ef our feet keeps time a little to de melodies we hyeah.
  W`y, dey`s somep`n` downright holy in de way our faces shine,
  When Angelina Johnson comes a-swingin` down de line.

  Angelina steps so gentle, Angelina bows so low,
  An` she lif huh sku`t so dainty dat huh shoetop skacely show:
  An` dem teef o` huh`n a-shinin`, ez she tek you by de han`--
  Go `way, people, d` ain`t anothah sich a lady in de lan`!
  When she `s movin` thoo de figgers er a-dancin` by huhse`f,
  Folks jes` stan` stock-still a-sta`in`, an` dey mos` nigh hol`s dey bref;
  An` de young mens, dey `s a-sayin`, "I `s gwine mek dat damsel mine,"
  When Angelina Johnson comes a-swingin` down de line.
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