#AmericanWriters
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
It was a long time ago. I have almost forgotten my dream. But it was there then, In front of me, Bright like a sun—
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…
You say I O.K.ed LONG DISTANCE? O.K.ed it when? My goodness, Central That was then!
2 and 2 are 4. 4 and 4 are 8. But what would happen If the last 4 was late? And how would it be
Landlord, landlord, My roof has sprung a leak. Don’t you 'member I told you abou… Way last week? Landlord, landlord,
Down in the bass That steady beat Walking walking walking Like marching feet. Down in the bass
Love Is a ripe plum Growing on a purple tree. Taste it once And the spell of its enchantment
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…
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.
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…
I went to the Gypsy’s. Gypsy settin’ all alone. I said, Tell me, Gypsy, When will my gal be home? Gypsy said, Silver,
Goin’ down the road, Lawd, Goin’ down the road. Down the road, Lawd, Way, way down the road. Got to find somebody
The census man, The day he came round, Wanted my name To put it down. I said, Johnson,
Harlem Sent him home in a long box— Too dead To know why: