On June 25, 1895, Paul Laurence Dunbar in Dayton described the origin of his poem "When Malindy Sings" in a letter to his future wife Alice Ruth Moore in New Orleans.
I have just finished a little lyrical bit in seventy-two lines entitled "When Malindy Sings." It rather strikes my fancy and I shall add it to my repertoire for recitation.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Ruth Moore, June 25, 1895. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
"When Malindy Sings" is a dialect poem about a Black woman's inspiring voice. Paul often recited it during his public appearances and the poem became an audience favorite.
G'way an' quit dat noise, Miss Lucy --
Put dat music book away;
What's de use to keep on tryin'?
Ef you practise twell you're gray,
You cain't sta't no notes a-flyin'
Lak de ones dat rants and rings
F'om de kitchen to be big woods
When Malindy sings.
You ain't got de nachel o'gans
Fu' to make de soun' come right,
You ain't got de tu'ns an' twistin's
Fu' to make it sweet an' light.
Tell you one thing now, Miss Lucy,
An' I 'm tellin' you fu' true,
When hit comes to raal right singin',
'T ain't no easy thing to do.Easy 'nough fu' folks to hollah,
Lookin' at de lines an' dots,
When dey ain't no one kin sence it,
An' de chune comes in, in spots;
But fu' real melojous music,
Dat jes' strikes yo' hea't and clings,
Jes' you stan' an' listen wif me
When Malindy sings.Excerpt from "When Malindy Sings," by Paul Laurence Dunbar. Published in Majors and Minors (1895).
Mr. Dunbar is possessed of a most pleasing personality. "When Malindy Sings" and several other selections were recited by Mr. Dunbar, the intrinsic merit of the poems being doubly enhanced by their artistic rendering, coupled with that best of nature's gifts, a richly deep and sympathetic voice.
"Paul Laurence Dunbar." The New York Age (New York, New York). February 11, 1897.
Mr. Dunbar occupied an hour in his share of the program. His selections were for the most part from his dialect poems. The most favored were "Angelina," "When de Co'n Pone's Hot" and "When Malindy Sings." These were given with all the facial expression and intonation of the emotional Negro. In this regard, Mr. Dunbar excels, and it is this knowledge of the actor's art that makes him so effective upon the platform.
"Successful Was the Paul Laurence Dunbar Recital." The Daily Sentinel (Bowling Green, Ohio). December 10, 1898. Page 1.
Mr. Dunbar was greeted with a storm of applause. He recited with great pathos his poem, "The Poet and His Song." This was followed with "The Party," a dialect piece, which captivated his audience. Further down on the program he recited "The Warrior's Prayer," which won great applause. This was followed by a dialect piece, "When Malindy Sings," which brought out tremendous applause, and the encore was "When the Co'n Pone's Hot." All are of Mr. Dunbar's production, and his first appearance and recitation to a Boston public of his works has opened a way for a future welcome to this city.
"Negroes' Needs." The Boston Globe (Boston, Massachusetts). March 22, 1899.
In an interview with a newspaper reporter, Paul said "When Malindy Sings" was his favorite dialect poem. However, in a letter to Alice written during a long speaking tour, Paul admitted that he was tired of reciting it.
Mr. Dunbar was asked which one of his poems first brought him fame. He said: "The Ol' Tunes," published in 1893. "Mr. Dunbar, which of your other poems do you treasure most?"
"Well, I'll divide them into two classes - the Serious and Dialect. The one in the first class that best pleases me is entitled, 'Conscience and Remorse.' Of the Dialect, I prefer 'When Malindy Sings.'"
"Paul Laurence Dunbar." The Daily Leader (Lexington, Kentucky). April 18, 1899.
It is a very tired little man who sits down to write to you tonight. I got through an awful recital and then had to go and sit down to talk to a lot of people. Finally I was so tired that I had to excuse myself and come to my room where I am writing this. I am longing for the soft protection of my wife's arms. Tomorrow and Sunday I rest, Monday I read here, Tuesday and Wednesday at Granville, Thursday at a social function here, Friday at Columbus. It is awful. I am positively hating "Malindy."
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Moore Dunbar, December 10, 1898. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).