Jamaican song and story Papyras Classics

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Chapter 185

CXXXIV. Mazurka

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Run, Moses, run,
Mister Walker da come;
Run, Moses, run,
Mister Walker da come.
If you buck your right foot, buck your left foot,
Never try look back;
If you buck your right foot, buck your left foot,
Never try look back.

To "buck" is to strike, and the word is applied to a stumbling horse, who is said to buck his foot against a stone, or simply to buck. It also means to butt with the head and is most likely a corruption of this word. Bucking, or charging stag-fashion with the head, is the favourite way for women to fight. Here is an account of such a contest:—