Classic Poem

What's mo' temptin' to de palate,
When you's wuked so hard all day,
En cum in home at ebentime
Widout a wud to say,—
En see a stewin' in de stove
A possum crisp en brown,
Wid great big sweet potaters,
A layin' all aroun'.

What's mo' temptin' to de palate,
Den a chicken bilin' hot,
En plenty ob good dumplin's,
A bubblin' in de pot;
To set right down to eat dem,
En 'pease yo' hunger dar,
'Tis nuffin' mo' enjoyin',
I sho'ly do declar.

What's mo' temptin' to de palate
Den a dish ob good baked beans,
En what is still mo' temptin'
Den a pot brimfull ob greens;
Jis biled down low wid bacon,
Almos' 'til dey's fried,
En a plate ob good ol' co'n cakes
A layin' on de side.

What's mo' temptin' to de palate
Den on Thanksgibin' Day
To hab a good ol' tuckey
Fixed some kin' o' way;
Wid cranber'y sauce en celery,
All settin' on de side,
En eat jis 'til yo' appetite
Is sho' full satisfied.

What's mo' temptin' to de palate,
Den in de Summer time,
To bus' a watermillion
Right from off de vine;
En set right down to eat it
In de coolin breeze,
Wif nuffin' to moles' you,
Settin' neaf de apple trees.

What's mo' temptin' to de palate,
Den poke chops, also lam',
En what is still mo' temptin'
Den good ol' col' biled ham;
Veal chops dey ain't bad,
Put de mutton chops in line,
I tell you my ol' appetite,
Fo' all dese t'ings do pine.

What' mo' temptin' to de palate,
When you cum from wuk at night,
To set down to de fiah,
A shinin' jis so bright,
De ol' 'oman walks in,—
Wid supper brilin' hot,
En a good ol' cup ob coffee,
Jis steamin' out de pot.

'Tis den I kin enjoy myse'f,
En eat dar by de fiah,
Case puttin' way good eatin's
Is sho'ly my desire;
Dar's nuffin dat's so temptin',
Dat to me is a treat,
Den settin' at a table
Wid plenty good to eat.