This video excerpt, from the 1990 video “The Eyes of the Poet,” features Herbert Woodward Martin performing the poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar. Dr. Martin, University of Dayton professor emeritus, is an acclaimed scholar and interpreter of Dunbar’s works.
Swing yo' lady roun' an' roun',
Do de bes' you know;
Mek yo' bow an' p'omenade
Up an' down de flo';
Mek dat banjo hump huhse'f,
Listen at huh talk:
Mastah gone to town to-night;
'T ain't no time to walk.
Lif' yo' feet an' flutter thoo,
Run, Miss Lucy, run;
Reckon you'll be kotched an' kissed
Fo' de night is done.
You don't need to be so proud --
I's a-watchin' you,
An' I's layin' lots o' plans
Fu' to git you, too.
Moonlight on de cotton-fiel'
Shinin' sof, an' white,
Whippo'will a-tellin' tales
Out thaih in de night;
An' yo' cabin's 'crost de lot:
Run, Miss Lucy, run;
Reckon you'll be kotched an' kissed
Fo' de night is done.
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/herbert_martin/7/