Old Josh, in: A funeral for Josh (Pure Nigger: 2nd Series))8th Episdoe))

Old Josh, in:
A Funeral for Josh
(Episode #8)


Elegy for Josh

Asleep in de old Courtyard
Above him de mockingbird sings
Free of de world below—,
Old Josh is dead an’ gone;

He at rest, asleep an’ free,
Born a child, yet a slave;
Guided by de conscience,
Loved by those he loved—

From de cotton fields of earth
To de mansion in de sky.
An’ de white robes of Jesus
An’ de black face of time—

Yes, o yes, in de arms of God
His sins are forgiven,
Paid in repentance full
Sing to de soul dat is flown.

#1686 2-7-2007



(1896; in Josh’s hut on the cot)

Silas: Wakeup pa! yous sleeping in de ole rocking chair again
Josh: Brother Amos was on his knees, son, gallopin’ in heaven—
Silas: Pa yos sleeping again, Marster Hightower back from Ozark, says he wants to see ya!
Josh: I passed out en de clouds, son I her a voice callin’ “come, come, come my brother, come to de angel…” an’ dere Jesus was waitin’ fer me, and He say “Ifen you is weary boy, I am comin’ to you all…” An’ I say, “Lord, I is comin’, Ah yes!”
Silas: Marster Hightower is comin’ too pa, and he is in no mood for de chariot and Jesus in de clouds, up yonder; does yo hear dat voice callin’?

(Josh sits up a tinge, listens)

Hightower: Josh, git on out here, I’m by the fence, stop your fiddling ‘bout, I got some work for you to do, if you remember what that is...!
Josh: Everybody should pay proper respect to de dead, even de white folks. He jus tryin’ to slow down de ole nigger so he goes first.