Old Josh, in: Funeral from the Rocking Chair, 1896

Old Josh, in:
Funeral from the Rocking Chair, 1896

Elegy for JoshAsleep in de old Rocking ChairAbove him de mockingbird singsFree 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 earthTo de mansion in de sky.An’ de white robes of JesusAn’ de black face of time—Yes, o yes, in de arms of GodHis sins are forgiven,Paid in repentance fullSing to de soul dat is flown.(#1686 2-7-2007) by Josh Jefferson, 1896
1896, Josh sleeping in his old rocking
Chair on the porch

Silas: Wakeup paw! You been sleeping in de ole rocking chair again
Josh: Brother Amos was on his knees, son, gallopin’ in heaven—
Silas: Paw yos sleeping again, Miss Emma Hightower back from Ozark, says whe 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 “If-en you is weary boy, I am comin’ to you all…” An’ I say, “Lord, I is comin’, Ah yes!”
Silas: Miss Emma is comin’ too see yaw paw, and she 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)
Emma 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 folk, she jes’ tryin’ to slow down de ole nigger so he goes first, I’m too old to do any work

Original name, “A Funeral for Josh” 2-7-2007