DOAN’T YOU BE WHAT YOU AIN’T
De flower ain’t de daisy, and de melon ain’t de rose,
why is dey all so crazy to be sumpin’ else dat grows?
Jes’ stick to the place you’s planted, and do de bes’ you knows,
be de sunflower or de daisy, be de melon or de rose.
De songthrush ain’t de robin, and de catbird ain’t de jay, why is day all a-throbbin’ to outdo each other’s lay?
Jes’ sing de song God gave you, and let your heart be gay, be de songthrush or de robin, be de catbird or de jay.
Doan’t ye be what you ain’t, jes’ be what you is,
ef a man is what he isn’t, den he isn’t what he is. —
Edwin Milton Royle