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LOUIS GOLDING



SHEPHERD SINGING RAGTIME

The shepherd sings:--
"_Way down in Dixie,
Way down in Dixie,
Where the hens are dog-gone glad to lay_ ..."

With shaded eyes he stands to look
Across the hills where the clouds swoon,
He singing, leans upon his crook,
He sings, he sings no more.
The wind is muffled in the tangled hairs
Of sheep that drift along the noon.
One mild sheep stares
With amber eyes about the pearl-flecked June.
Two skylarks soar
With singing flame
Into the sun whence first they came.