#AmericanWriters
The rent man knocked. He said, Howdy—do? I said, What Can I do for you? He said, You know
Clean the spittoons, boy. Detroit, Chicago, Atlantic City, Palm Beach.
In places like Selma, Alabama, Kids say, In places like Chicago and New York...
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
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…
I worked for a woman, She wasn’t mean— But she had a twelve—room House to clean. Had to get breakfast,
Being walkers with the dawn and mo… Walkers with the sun and morning, We are not afraid of night, Nor days of gloom, Nor darkness—
I went to the Gypsy’s. Gypsy settin’ all alone. I said, Tell me, Gypsy, When will my gal be home? Gypsy said, Silver,
Only dumb guys fight. If I wasn’t dumb I wouldn’t be fightin’. I could make six dollars a day On the docks
When you turn the corner And you run into yourself Then you know that you have turned All the corners that are left
You and your whole race. Look down upon the town in which y… And be ashamed. Look down upon white folks And upon yourselves
I work all day, Said Simple John, Myself a house to buy. I work all day, Said Simple John,
Harlem Sent him home in a long box— Too dead To know why:
Big Boy came Carrying a mermaid On his shoulders And the mermaid Had her tail
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 —