We passed their graves: The dead men there, Winners or losers, Did not care. In the dark

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

Remember The days of bondage— And remembering— Do not stand still. Go to the highest hill

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

When a man starts out with nothing… When a man starts out with his han… Empty, but clean, When a man starts to build a world… He starts first with himself

I worked for a woman, She wasn’t mean— But she had a twelve—room House to clean. Had to get breakfast,

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

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

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