I've thought a power on men and things, <br />As my uncle ust to say,-- <br />And ef folks don't work as they pray, i jings! <br />W'y, they ain't no use to pray! <br />Ef you want somepin', and jes dead-set <br />A-pleadin' fer it with both eyes wet, <br />And _tears_ won't bring it, w'y, you try _sweat_, <br />As my uncle ust to say. <br /> <br />They's some don't know their A, B, Cs, <br />As my uncle ust to say, <br />And yit don't waste no candle-grease, <br />Ner whistle their lives away! <br />But ef they can't write no book, ner rhyme <br />No ringin' song fer to last all time, <br />They can blaze the way fer the march sublime, <br />As my uncle ust to say. <br /> <br />Whoever's Foreman of all things here, <br />As my uncle ust to say, <br />He knows each job 'at we 're best fit fer, <br />And our round-up, night and day: <br />And a-sizin' _His_ work, east and west, <br />And north and south, and worst and best <br />I ain't got nothin' to suggest, <br />As my uncle ust to say.<br /><br />James Whitcomb Riley<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/as-my-uncle-used-to-say/
