The Jerseywok (recitation)
        
Twas Bergen and the Erie road
Did Mahwah into Patterson.
All Jersey were the Ocean Groves,
And the Redbank Bayonne.
        
"Beware the Hoptacong my son,
The teeth that bite, the nails that claw.
Beware the Boundbrook bird, and shun
The Kearney Communipaw."

He took his Belmar blade in hand.
Long time the Folsom foe he sought,
Till rested he by a Bayway tree,
And stood awhile in thought.

And as in Nutley thought he stood,
The Hoptacong with eyes of flame
Came Whippany through the Englewood,
And Garfield as it came.
 
One, two, one, tw, and through and through 
The Belmont blade went, Hackensack! 
He left it dead, and with its head 
He went Weehawken back. 

"And hast thou slain the Hoptacong?
Come to my arms, my Perth Amboy! 
Hohokus day! Soho! Rahway!"
He Caldwell in his joy.  

Twas Bergen and the Erie road
Did Mahwah into Patterson.
All Jersey were the Ocean Groves,
And the Redbank Bayonne.

paul keiffer 1881-1969