God in His infinite wisdom Did not make me very wise— So when my actions are stupid They hardly take God by surprise

'Me an’ ma baby’s Got two mo’ ways, Two mo’ ways to do de Charleston!… Da, da, Da, da, da!

Gather quickly Out of darkness All the songs you know And throw them at the sun Before they melt

been scared and battered. My hopes the wind done scattered. Snow has friz me, Sun has baked me, Looks like between 'em they done

My name is Johnson— Madam Alberta K. The Madam stands for business. I’m smart that way. I had a

When the shoe strings break On both your shoes And you’re in a hurry— That’s the blues. When you go to buy a candy bar

In the Quarter of the Negroes Where the doors are doors of paper Dust of dingy atoms Blows a scratchy sound. Amorphous jack—o’—Lanterns caper

Goin’ down the road, Lawd, Goin’ down the road. Down the road, Lawd, Way, way down the road. Got to find somebody

It would be nice In any case, To someday meet you Face to face Walking down

It was a long time ago. I have almost forgotten my dream. But it was there then, In front of me, Bright like a sun—