#Americans #Blacks
Love Is a ripe plum Growing on a purple tree. Taste it once And the spell of its enchantment
Droning a drowsy syncopated tune, Rocking back and forth to a mellow… I heard a Negro play. Down on Lenox Avenue the other ni… By the pale dull pallor of an old…
The night is beautiful, So the faces of my people. The stars are beautiful, So the eyes of my people. Beautiful, also, is the sun.
I went to the Gypsy’s. Gypsy settin’ all alone. I said, Tell me, Gypsy, When will my gal be home? Gypsy said, Silver,
Where is the Jim Crow section On this merry—go—round, Mister, cause I want to ride? Down South where I come from White and colored
We passed their graves: The dead men there, Winners or losers, Did not care. In the dark
I will take you heart. I will take your soul out of your… As though I were God. I will not be satisfied With the touch of your hand
Good morning, daddy! Ain’t you heard The boogie—woogie rumble Of a dream deferred? Listen closely:
I’ve known rivers: I’ve known rivers ancient as the w… My soul has grown deep like the ri… I bathed in the Euphrates when da… I built my hut near the Congo and…
I dream a world where man No other man will scorn, Where love will bless the earth And peace its paths adorn I dream a world where all
Because my mouth Is wide with laughter And my throat Is deep with song, You do not think
I would liken you To a night without stars Were it not for your eyes. I would liken you To a sleep without dreams
I could take the Harlem night and wrap around you, Take the neon lights and make a cr… Take the Lenox Avenue busses, Taxis, subways,
My old man’s a white old man And my old mother’s black. If ever I cursed my white old man I take my curses back. If ever I cursed my black old mot…
Down in the bass That steady beat Walking walking walking Like marching feet. Down in the bass
