Learned Negro, The Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABBCCDDEEDDFGHHDDII EEJJKKLLEEDDDD| There was a negro preacher I have heard | A |
| In Southern parts before rebellion stirred | A |
| Who did not spend his strength in empty sound | B |
| His was a mind deep reaching and profound | B |
| Others might beat the air and make a noise | C |
| And help to amuse the silly girls and boys | C |
| But as for him he was a man of thought | D |
| Deep in theology although untaught | D |
| He could not read or write but he was wise | E |
| And knew right smart how to extemporize | E |
| One Sunday morn when hymns and prayers were said | D |
| The preacher rose and rubbing up his head | D |
| Bredren and sisterin and companions dear | F |
| Our preachment for to day as you shall hear | G |
| Will be ob de creation ob de plan | H |
| On which God fashioned Adam de fust man | H |
| When God made Adam in de ancient day | D |
| He made his body out ob earth and clay | D |
| He shape him all out right den by and by | I |
| He set him up again de fence to dry | I |
| Stop said a voice and straightway there arose | E |
| An ancient negro in his master's clothes | E |
| Tell me said he before you farder go | J |
| One little thing which I should like to know | J |
| It does not quite get through dis niggar's har | K |
| How came dat fence so nice and handy dar | K |
| Like one who in the mud is tightly stuck | L |
| Or one nonplussed astonished thunderstruck | L |
| The preacher looked severely on the pews | E |
| And rubbed his hair to know what words to use | E |
| Bredren said he dis word I hab to say | D |
| De preacher can't be bothered in dis way | D |
| For if he is it's jest as like as not | D |
| Our whole theology will be upsot | D |
Unknown
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