Little Orphan Annie

I came across this poem and remembered

all the times Mom used to say this to us...- Amy

LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE

BY

JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Little Orphan Annie's come

to my house to stay.

To wash the cups and saucers up

and brush the crumbs away.

To shoo the chickens from the porch

and dust the hearth and sweep,

and make the fire and bake the bread

to earn her board and keep.

While all us other children,

when the supper things is done,

we sit around the kitchen fire

and has the mostest fun,

a listening to the witch tales

that Annie tells about

and the goblins will get ya

if ya don't watch out!

Once there was a little boy

who wouldn't say his prayers,

and when he went to bed at night

away up stairs,

his mammy heard him holler

and his daddy heard him bawl,

and when they turned the covers down,

he wasn't there at all!

They searched him in the attic room

and cubby hole and press

and even up the chimney flu

and every wheres, I guess,

but all they ever found of him

was just his pants and round-abouts

and the goblins will get ya

if ya don't watch out!!

Once there was a little girl

who always laughed and grinned

and made fun of everyone,

of all her blood and kin,

and once when there was company

and old folks was there,

she mocked them and she shocked them

and said, she didn't care.

And just as she turned on her heels

and to go and run and hide,

there was two great big black things

a standing by her side.

They snatched her through the ceiling

fore she knew what shes about,

and the goblins will get ya

if ya don't watch out!!

When the night is dark and scary,

and the moon is full

and creatures are a flying

and the wind goes Whoooooooooo,

you better mind your parents

and your teachers fond and dear,

and cherish them that loves ya,

and dry the orphans tears

and help the poor and needy ones

that cluster all about,

or the goblins will get ya

if ya don't watch out!!!