A Virgin's Lament

I seen him in the eastern field
early on a hot June morning.
His mama got sold to the Garners
and him they bring down here.
Just another strapling boy
with his grin and his straw hat,
singin' soft while he pick the cotton,
but something when he smile at me,
I feel like I can care for him.

Late at night when supper done,
I meet him in the sycamores
back the old cabins where we sleep.
He tell me about the farm he work
up further north, by Birmingham,
and how his poor mama cry
when they put him on the block.
By the by he stroke my arm,
and then I set real close to him
and lay my head down on his chest.
I hear the way his heart beat fast
and then he kiss me, warm and soft,
and I feel so bright and happy
like something in a dream.
Mama tell me, My sweet girl,
I trust you to know your time.
But mind our life ain't not our own,
fast as he here, he may be gone.

Next morning, down the Nanny come
from the house to Mama and say
they want her girl to work the kitchen,
old Mabel she too tired and sick.
Mama say she glad for me
but I rather stay in the dust and heat.

Now I wait the missus' table
and help the cook fix up the meals.
The houseman watch us day and night
and field slave can't come in the yard,
but sometime when the sun is right
I can just see that boy I love
out the small window of the pantry,
and I pretend that he see me.
I sweat with him out in the field
because he make my heart so glad.
Every night I think on going
out by the sycamore where we kiss.
I feel him hold me with his arms
and we make that sweet joy together,
but soon I know my dream is done.
I seen the massuh look at me.