Classic Poem

Anansi son name Stan'-up-stick. As Anansi poor, Stan'-up-stick don' notice him. An' Stan'-up-stick buy a gold ring give him daughter Absa; de ring cost a t'ousen' pound; it cut wid dimon' brooches an' spliced wid hair. An' de daughter give it to a gentleman name William Riley. When Stan'-up-stick see William Riley wid de ring, he sing,
There is a ring I give my daughter,
It cost a t'ousan' pound.
It cut with di'mon brooches
An' splic-ed with my hair.
De daughter sing,

If you have them now, sweet Riley,
Pray send them back to me.
William sing,

O yes my general lady,
With many a thank to you.
Wear it upon your right han'
An' think upon my broken heart
When you are in foreign lan'.
Riley said, " My hands an' feet are chained to the ground like a murderer! " Lady sings,

Come justice of the jury,
Come plead the case for Riley
And let his bond-es free!
For he never stole my jewels,
I will swear to all about;
For I gave them to sweet Riley
For token of true love.
Stan'-up-stick, he rise an' sing,

This ring, I give it my daughter,
It cost a t'ousan' pound.
Anansi come up an' say, " God! a you love me, so med Stan'-up-stick loss his t'ousan' pound! "