The Rural South, as described by Jean Toomer at the turn of the century, was the inspiration for this song about two of its characters. This is about the primary product of that area, the Cane
Take Karintha, take Karintha Perfect as dusk when the sun goes down And take Karintha, as perfect as twilight As a child able to drive both young and old wild As perfect as dusk when the sun goes down Said take Karintha and remember, remember every sound 'Cause, often as our flowers bloom, men will try and cut them down Said take Karintha, as sweet as spring rain Run from the Cane, run from the Cane
Pray for Becky, and pray for Becky White woman gave birth to two black sons Pray for Becky, her one-room shack fell to the ground The two boys killed a man and had to leave town Said white woman gave birth to two black sons Said pray for Becky and remember, remember the days She looked to us for help, and we all turned away Said pray for Becky, buried down near the trains Deep in the Cane, deep in the Cane