" But Then, Up, And Mr. Pain Come In "

" But Then, Up, And Mr. Pain Come In "
( in the style of an early American folksong, after Stephen Foster, or, a Spiritual )

07/25/12

Once'd I'sa was one happy man
Fo' I'sa felt so good, and free.
But then, up, and Mr. Pain come in,
An' stole it all from me.

I'sa work all day out in de sun
For hours ‘till I'sa be a-sweatin;
but then, up, and Mr. Pain come in,
these days, I'sa keep forgettin'.

I'sa used to have a lot ‘o friends,
And we'd have lots ‘o fun,
but then, up, and Mr. Pain come in,
dey lef' me one by one.

I'sa used' ta range de County wide,
Now, I'sa cain't walk dat far;
Cuz when, up and Mr. Pain Come in,
I'sa laid low by my catarrah.

Wid my Miss Susie on my arm
We'd dance haf through de night.
But then, up, and Mr. Pain come in,
an' she lef me, all a-fright.

My fam'ly say I'sa don look sick,
Just cus I'sa look de same.
Since when, up, and Mr. Pain come in,
Dey blame me all de same.

I'sa used to go to Sunday church
to hear de preacher man.
But then, up, and Mr. Pain come in,
is dis my Savior's plan?

I'sa ask, sweet Lawd, please heal my ague,
an' take away my fev'rish pain,
But then, up, and Mr. Pain come in
to make me hurt again.

I'sa ask, sweet mercy, Mary,
how come I'sa so sick, and why?
An' always, up, and Mr. Pain comes in,
For I'sa expects I'll be this way,
‘till day I'sa up an' die.

End

To my ever dear, and treasured friends, and constant, loyal readers, the ‘poem', above was but an experiment in sounds, not in any way meant to offend anyone.

Please forgive me, dearest friends, for I still hurt (as I MUST use that topical cream most sparingly !), and, for some completely unknown reason, I am s-o-o-o-o-o very, very tired, today.

I think of you so very often, and wish so much for you, no pain, or, lessened pain, or distress; surrounded by those who love you, and care for you.

I also wish everyone a break from this awful heat wave that seems to have gripped the Country. Please stay as cool as you can, my dear friends.

Please take care, and know I love you dearly!

‘Zahc'