a. Horse and Turtle.
Alfred Williams, Maroon Town, Cock-pit country.
Horse bet Turtle say a get to Kingston before him. Turtle bet him say
him will get to Kingston before him, Brar Horse. An’ Turtle tak up one
of him pickney an’ drop dem ev’ry mile-post, an’ drop de last one in at
Kingston at de wharf-house, tell ’im ’em going for a sack of salt. An’
de night when dem start, as Brar Horse catch to de firs’ mile-post an’
sing out in a harsh note,
I-ya-a ya-o sa, nom-be, ya-o ya ya-o sa-a, nom-be,
a nom-be, sa-ka be-ne sa-bi-na, nom-be, ya ya-o sa, a, nom-be.
Turtle answer quite yonder, soft an’ sweet,
I-ya-a ya-o sa-a, nom-be, ya-o sa ya-o sa-a, nom-be, se
sa-ka be-ne sa-bi-na, nom-be, ya ya-o sa-a, nom-be.
Horse say, “Well! Brar Turtle gone!” Gallop, draw rein an’ ’pur As he
get to de nex’ mile-post, hear,
“I-ya-a ya-o sa, nom-be, ya-o ya.”
Gallop an’ gallop till he get to de nex’ mile-post. Turtle sing,
“I-ya-a ya-o sa, nom-be, ya-o ya.”
Trabbel on, ride on, ride on, ride on, catch to de nex’ mile-post, sing
out,
“I-ya-a ya-o sa, nom-be, ya-o ya.”