I plays de banjo better now
Dan him dat taught me do,
Because he plays for all de worl',
An' I jes' plays for you.
 
He learn his chunes -- I jes' lets down
A banjo-string or two
Into the deepest of my heart,
An' draws up chunes for you.
 
Slowly dey comes swingin' up,
A-quiv'rin through an through,
Till wid a rush of tinglin' notes
Dey reaches light-an' you.
 
I never knows if dey will shine
Wet wind tears or dew;
I only knows dat, dew or tears,
Dey shine because of you.