#AmericanWriters
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 —
Down in the bass That steady beat Walking walking walking Like marching feet. Down in the bass
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…
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…
I work all day, Said Simple John, Myself a house to buy. I work all day, Said Simple John,
I know I am The Negro Problem Being wined and dined, Answering the usual questions That come to white mind
Gather quickly Out of darkness All the songs you know And throw them at the sun Before they melt
Well, son, I’ll tell you: Life for me ain’t been no crystal… It’s had tacks in it, And splinters, And boards torn up,
Let’s go see Old Abe Sitting in the marble and the moon… Sitting lonely in the marble and t… Quiet for ten thousand centuries,… Quiet for a million, million years…
I dream a world where man No other man will scorn, Where love will bless the earth And peace its paths adorn I dream a world where all
When you turn the corner And you run into yourself Then you know that you have turned All the corners that are left
That Justice is a blind goddess Is a thing to which we black are w… Her bandage hides two festering so… That once perhaps were eyes.
I would liken you To a night without stars Were it not for your eyes. I would liken you To a sleep without dreams
Go home and write a page tonight. And let that page come out of you— Then, it will be true. I wonder if it’s that simple?
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