#AmericanWriters #BlackWriters
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
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 went to the Gypsy’s. Gypsy settin’ all alone. I said, Tell me, Gypsy, When will my gal be home? Gypsy said, Silver,
Big Boy came Carrying a mermaid On his shoulders And the mermaid Had her tail
I woke up this mornin’ ’Bout half-past three. All the womens in town Was gathered round me. Sweet gals was a-moanin’,
I am your son, white man! Georgia dusk And the turpentine woods. One of the pillars of the temple f… You are my son!
I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh,
Oh, silver tree! Oh, shining rivers of the soul! In a Harlem cabaret Six long—headed jazzers play. A dancing girl whose eyes are bold
I live on a park bench. You, Park Avenue. Hell of a distance Between us two. I beg a dime for dinner—
The rent man knocked. He said, Howdy—do? I said, What Can I do for you? He said, You know
Goin’ down the road, Lawd, Goin’ down the road. Down the road, Lawd, Way, way down the road. Got to find somebody
I would liken you To a night without stars Were it not for your eyes. I would liken you To a sleep without dreams
You sicken me with lies, With truthful lies. And with your pious faces. And your wide, out—stretched, mock—welcome, Christian hands.
The census man, The day he came round, Wanted my name To put it down. I said, Johnson,
Landlord, landlord, My roof has sprung a leak. Don’t you 'member I told you abou… Way last week? Landlord, landlord,
