1965

A Negro Love Song (Jump Back)

Composed by Simon Sargon

Jump Back! Song Collection

"A Negro Love Song (Jump Back)" is the first song of Simon Sargon's song cycle Jump Back!: African American Poetry in Song. The cycle sets five poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar. The audio selection provided features Barbara Hill Moore, soprano, and Richard Gordon, piano. Used with the permission of the composer.

Text

A Negro Love Song
by Paul Laurence Dunbar

Seen my lady home las’ night,
Jump back, honey, jump back.
Hel’ huh han’ an’ sque’z it tight,
Jump back, honey, jump back.
Hyeahd huh sigh a little sigh,
Seen a light gleam f’om huh eye,
An’ a smile go flittin’ by —
Jump back, honey, jump back.

Hyeahd de win’ blow thoo de pine,
Jump back, honey, jump back.
Mockin’-bird was singin’ fine,
Jump back, honey, jump back.
An’ my hea’t was beatin’ so,
When I reached my lady’s do’,
Dat I could n’t ba’ to go —
Jump back, honey, jump back.

Put my ahm aroun’ huh wais’,
Jump back, honey, jump back.
Raised huh lips an’ took a tase,
Jump back, honey, jump back.
Love me, honey, love me true?
Love me well ez I love you?
An’ she answe’d, “‘Cose I do” —
Jump back, honey, jump back.

Audio

“A Negro Love Song” (from “Jump Back!”)
Barbara Hill Moore (soprano) & Richard Gordon (piano)1:56

Simon Sargon

Composer

Paul Laurence Dunbar

Poet(s)/Writer(s)

Used with the permission of the composer