Take the neon lights and make a crown,
Take the Lenox Avenue busses,
Taxis, subways,
And for your love song tone their rumble down.
Take Harlem’s heartbeat,
Make a drumbeat,
Put it on a record, let it whirl,
And while we listen to it play,
Dance with you till day–
Dance with you, my sweet brown Harlem girl.
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The census man,
Wanted my nameTo put it down.I said, Johnson,Alberta K.But he hated to writeThe K that way.He said, WhatDoes K stand for?I said, K–And nothing more.He said, I’m gonna put itKÐAÐY.I said, If you do,You lie.My mother christened meAlberta K.You leave my nameJust that way!He said, Mrs.,(With a snort)Just a KMakes your name too short.I said,…
In places like
Kids say,In places likeChicago and New York…In places likeChicago and New YorkKids say,In places likeLondon and Paris…In places likeLondon and ParisKids say,In places likeChicago and New York…
In time of silver rain
Green grasses growAnd flowers lift their heads,And over all the plainThe wonder spreadsOf Life,Of Life,Of life!In time of silver rainThe butterflies lift silken wingsTo catch a rainbow cry,And trees put forth new leaves to singIn joy beneath the skyAs down the roadwayPassing boys and girlsGo singing, too,In time of silver rain When springAnd lifeAre new.
I got to leave this town.
Got to leave this town causeIt’s a lonesome place.A po’, po’ boy can’tFind a friendly face.Goin’ down to de riverFlowin’ deep an’ slow.Goin’ down to de riverDeep an’ slow-Cause there ain’t no worriesWhere de waters go.I’m weary, weary,Weary, as I can be.Weary, weary,Weary as can be.This life’s so weary,‘S’ bout to overcome me.
What happens to a dream deferred?
Like a raisin in the sun?Or fester like a sore–And then run?Does it stink like rotten meat?Or crust and sugar over–like a syrupy sweet?Maybe it just sagslike a heavy load.Or does it explode?
The night is beautiful,
The stars are beautiful,So the eyes of my people.Beautiful, also, is the sun.Beautiful, also, are the souls of my people.