Silas’s Lament

by Lindabrit

Now I’ve served the Barkleys for many a year,

and I’ve always held the family dear.

I’m grateful to them for saving me,

from the ignominy of slavery.

But lately it’s been much on my mind,

did I actually leave my chains behind?

See, I kind of have a lot to do,

Man, there’s so much work to get through!

The work seems to increase, hour upon hour,

as I cook and I clean, as I sweep and I scour,

I’m not a lazy man I must confess,

it’s those Barkleys, they make so much extra mess!

Mrs Barkley she buffs up the silver and then

throws the cloths on the floor for me to pick up again.

Nick drips water from the trough, so I get me a mop,

then Audra spills her coffee, oh when will it stop?

Mr Jarrod brings home waifs and strays by the score

and old Heath, he’s always bleeding on the floor,

I’ll take my oath before the whole nation,

reckon I should have stayed on the old plantation.

~