#AmericanWriters
Because my mouth Is wide with laughter And my throat Is deep with song, You do not think
I work all day, Said Simple John, Myself a house to buy. I work all day, Said Simple John,
Down in the bass That steady beat Walking walking walking Like marching feet. Down in the bass
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 woke up this mornin’ ’Bout half-past three. All the womens in town Was gathered round me. Sweet gals was a-moanin’,
How still, How strangely still The water is today, It is not good For water
Democracy will not come Today, this year Nor ever Through compromise and fear. I have as much right
When you turn the corner And you run into yourself Then you know that you have turned All the corners that are left
I would liken you To a night without stars Were it not for your eyes. I would liken you To a sleep without dreams
Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly. Hold fast to dreams
Listen! Dear dream of utter aliveness— Touching my body of utter death— Tell me, O quickly! dream of aliv… The flaming source of your bright…
'Me an’ ma baby’s Got two mo’ ways, Two mo’ ways to do de Charleston!… Da, da, Da, da, da!
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
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!
Only dumb guys fight. If I wasn’t dumb I wouldn’t be fightin’. I could make six dollars a day On the docks