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

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

Listen! Dear dream of utter aliveness— Touching my body of utter death— Tell me, O quickly! dream of aliv… The flaming source of your bright…

Night funeral In Harlem: Where did they get Them two fine cars? Insurance man, he did not pay—

Harlem Sent him home in a long box— Too dead To know why:

I was so sick last night I Didn’t hardly know my mind. So sick last night I Didn’t know my mind. I drunk some bad licker that

Here I sit With my shoes mismated. Lawdy—mercy! I’s frustrated!

The census man, The day he came round, Wanted my name To put it down. I said, Johnson,

I work all day, Said Simple John, Myself a house to buy. I work all day, Said Simple John,