#Americans #Blacks
I know I am The Negro Problem Being wined and dined, Answering the usual questions That come to white mind
It’s such a Bore Being always Poor.
I went down to the river, I set down on the bank. I tried to think but couldn’t, So I jumped in and sank. I came up once and hollered!
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 could take the Harlem night and wrap around you, Take the neon lights and make a cr… Take the Lenox Avenue busses, Taxis, subways,
I would liken you To a night without stars Were it not for your eyes. I would liken you To a sleep without dreams
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
When I was home de Sunshine seemed like gold. When I was home de Sunshine seemed like gold. Since I come up North de
Here I sit With my shoes mismated. Lawdy—mercy! I’s frustrated!
Children, I come back today To tell you a story of the long da… That I had to climb, that I had t… In order that the race might live… Look at my face —dark as the night…
The calm, Cool face of the river Asked me for a kiss.
'Me an’ ma baby’s Got two mo’ ways, Two mo’ ways to do de Charleston!… Da, da, Da, da, da!
The ivory gods, And the ebony gods, And the gods of diamond and jade, Sit silently on their temple shelv… While the people
He glides so swiftly Back into the grass— Gives me the courtesy of road To let me pass, That I am half ashamed
I’m all alone in this world, she s… Ain’t got nobody to share my bed, Ain’t got nobody to hold my hand— The truth of the matter’s I ain’t got no man.