Negro prayer

Back in the days of steam ships, only rich white people sailed at sea. One day while sailing, something suddenly happened to the ship. It was about to sink. Terrified, the white folks aboard didn't know what to do. Someone suggested that they do what the Negroes did: "Pray". Unfortunately, no one knew what to say. So they called "Thomas", a black cook on the ship and asked him to pray. Thomas agreed, came up on deck, removed his cap and began like this:

"LAWD one day I wuz hongray,

I went to a restrant to git me sumpin' to eat!..

An da sign said:
'FOR WHITE FOLKS ONLY.'

Den, I went to da water fountin to git
me some wauter an da sign said:
'FOR WHITE FOLKS ONLY.'

Den Lawd, I went to de toilet room and da sign said:
'FOR WHITE FOLKS ONLY'.

So Lawd Almitee....when dis here big 'ol boat sanks.. let it be:

'FOR WHITE FOLKS ONLY.'

In yo name I pray,
Amen

To the friends of Negro emancipation, this print is inscribed. Painted by Alexandre Rippingille; engraved by David Lucas. (London: Thomas Boys, 1834). De tekst erbij luidt: ‘ glorious and happy era on the first of August, bursts upon the Western World; England strikes the manacle from the slave, and bids the bond go free.’ Separaat gepubliceerde aquatintgravure, ter herdenking van de slavenemancipatie in het Britse rijk in 1834. (Library Company of Philadelphia).