Songs, Merry and Sad

Before Bedtime

     The cat sleeps in a chimney jam
      With ashes in her fur,
     An' Tige, from on the yuther side,
      He keeps his eye on her.

     The jar o' curds is on the hearth,
      An' I'm the one to turn it.
     I'll crawl in bed an' go to sleep
      When maw begins to churn it.

     Paw bends to read his almanax
      An' study out the weather,
     An' bud has got a gourd o' grease
      To ile his harness leather.

     Sis looks an' looks into the fire,
      Half-squintin' through her lashes,
     An' I jis watch my tater where
      It shoots smoke through the ashes.