The Blues, par Langston Hughes

The Blues

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

And you’ve lost the dime you had—

Slipped through a hole in your pocket somewhere—

That’s the blues, too, and bad!

Because my mouth Is wide with laughter And my throat Is deep with song, You do not think

Landlord, landlord, My roof has sprung a leak. Don’t you 'member I told you abou… Way last week? Landlord, landlord,

In places like Selma, Alabama, Kids say, In places like Chicago and New York...

Only dumb guys fight. If I wasn’t dumb I wouldn’t be fightin’. I could make six dollars a day On the docks

My old mule, He’s gota grin on his face. He’s been a mule so long He’s forgotten about his race. I’m like that old mule —

Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly. Hold fast to dreams

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

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

Tell all my mourners To mourn in red — Cause there ain’t no sense In my bein’ dead.

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

I know I am The Negro Problem Being wined and dined, Answering the usual questions That come to white mind

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

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,

What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore— And then run?

I would liken you To a night without stars Were it not for your eyes. I would liken you To a sleep without dreams