Lay me down beneaf de willers in de grass
Whah de branch 'll go a-singin' as it pass
An' w'en I 's a-layin' low
I kin hyeah it as it go
Singin', "Sleep, my honey, tek yo' res' at las'."

Lay me nigh to whah hit meks a little pool
An' de watah stan's so quiet lak an' cool
Whah de little birds in spring
Ust to come an' drink an' sing
An' de chillen waded on dey way to school

Let me settle w'en my shouldahs draps dey load
Nigh enough to hyeah de noises in de road;
Fu' I t'ink de las' long res'
Gwine to soothe my sperrit bes'
Ef I's layin' 'mong de t'ings I's allus knowed