#AmericanWriters
I was so sick last night I Didn’t hardly know my mind. So sick last night I Didn’t know my mind. I drunk some bad licker that
I went to the Gypsy’s. Gypsy settin’ all alone. I said, Tell me, Gypsy, When will my gal be home? Gypsy said, Silver,
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 —
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
How quiet It is in this sick room Where on the bed A silent woman lies between two lo… Life and Death,
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.
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…
Let America be America again. Let it be the dream it used to be. Let it be the pioneer on the plain Seeking a home where he himself is… (America never was America to me.…
Gather quickly Out of darkness All the songs you know And throw them at the sun Before they melt
Here I sit With my shoes mismated. Lawdy—mercy! I’s frustrated!
Down in the bass That steady beat Walking walking walking Like marching feet. Down in the bass
When I get to be a composer I’m gonna write me some music abou… Daybreak in Alabama And I’m gonna put the purtiest so… Rising out of the ground like a sw…
I look at the world From awakening eyes in a black fac… And this is what I see: This fenced—off narrow space Assigned to me.
Droning a drowsy syncopated tune, Rocking back and forth to a mellow… I heard a Negro play. Down on Lenox Avenue the other ni… By the pale dull pallor of an old…
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—