| James Weldon Johnson, ed. (1871–1938). The Book of American Negro Poetry. 1922. |
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| Miss Melerlee |
| | | John Wesley Holloway |
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| HELLO dar, Miss Melerlee! | |
| Oh, you’re pretty sight to see | |
| Sof’ brown cheek, an’ smilin’ face, | |
| An’ willowy form chuck full o’ grace— | |
| De sweetes’ gal Ah evah see, | 5 |
| An’ Ah wush dat you would marry me! | |
| Hello, Miss Melerlee! | |
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| Hello dar, Miss Melerfee!, | |
| You’re de berry gal fo’ me! | |
| Pearly teef, an’ shinin’ hair, | 10 |
| An’ silky arm so plump an’ bare! | |
| Ah lak yo’ walk, Ah lak yo’ clothes, | |
| An’ de way Ah love you,—goodness knows! | |
| Hello, Miss Melerlee! | |
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| Hello dar, Miss Melerlee! | 15 |
| Dat’s not yo’ name, but it ought to be! | |
| Ah nevah seed yo’ face befo’ | |
| An’ lakly won’t again no mo’; | |
| But yo’ sweet smile will follow me | |
| Cla’r into eternity! | 20 |
| Farewell, Miss Melerlee! | |
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