Explore "Sermon Time" by Joseph C. Lincoln on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit": there, I'll just remember that, / And I'll say it over 'n over, till I've got it good and pat, / For when I get home from meetin', Gran'ma'll ask me for the text, / And if I say I've forgot it, she'll be goin' for me next, / Say in', I don't pay attention, and what _am_ I comin' to; / Tellin' 'bout when _she_ was little, same as old folks always do. / Say, I'll bet she didn't like it any better than the rest, / Sittin' 'round all stiff and starchy, dressed up in your Sunday best.
"Blessed are the poor" -- I tell yer, some day I'll be clearin' out, / Leavin' all this dressin' nonsense, 'cause I'm goin' ter be a scout, / Same as "Deadwood Dick," a-killin' all the Injuns on the plains: / _He_ do'n't comb his hair, you bet yer; no, nor wash, unless it rains. / And bimeby I'll come home, bringin' loads of gold and di'mon' rings; / My, won't all the boys be jealous when they see those kind of things! / 'N' I'll have a reputation, folks'll call me "Lariat Ben," / Gran'ma'll think I 'mount ter somethin', maybe, when she sees me then.