Langston Hughes - Horn of plenty lyrics

Singers Singers like O- Singers like Odetta-and that statue On Bedloe's Island managed by Sol Hurok Dancers bojangles late lamented Katherine Dunham Al and Leon Arthus Carmen Alvin Mary Jazzers Duke and Dizzy Eric Dolphy Miles and Ella and miss Nina Strayhorn hid backstage with Luther “do you read music?” and Louis saying “not enough to hurt my playing” Gospel singers who pant to pack Golden crosses to a Cadillac Bonds and still and Margaret Still Global trotters baseball batters Jackie Willie Campanella Football players leather puncers Unforgotten Joes and sugar Rays Who break away like comets from lesser stars in orbit To move out to st. Albans Where the gra** is greener Schools are better for their children And other kids less meaner than In the quarter of the negroes Where winter(s name is Hawkins And Niagara Falls is frozen If show fare's more than 30¢ I moved out to Long Island Even farther than St. Albans (which lately is stone nowhere) I moved out ever farther further farther On the sound way off the turnpike On the sound way off the turnpike And I'm the only colored Go there! Yes, I made it! Name in the papers every day! Famous-the hard way- From nobody and nothing to where I am They know me, too, Downtown All across the country, Europe- Me who used to be nobody, Nothing but another shadow In the quarter of the negroes, Now a name! my name-a name! Yet they asked me out on my patio Where did I ge my money! I said, from your mama! They wondered I was sensitive And had a chip on shoulder? Did I know Charlie Mungus? And why did Richard Wright Live all that while in paris instead of coming home to decent die In Harlem or the south side of Chicago Or the womb of Mississippi? And one should love one's country For one's country is your mama. Living in St. Albans Shadow of the negroes Westport and New Canaan In the shadow of the negroes- Highly integrated Means too many negroes Even for the negroes- Especially for the first ones Who move in unobtrusive Book-of-the-month in cases Seeking suburb with no jukebox Pool hall or bar on corner Seeking lawns and shade trees Seeking peace and quiet Autumn leaves in autumn Holland bulbs in spring Decent garbage service Birds that really sing $40,000 houses- Payments not belated- The only negroes in the block Integrated Horn of plenty In escrow to Joe Gla**er. The sermon on the mount In Billington's church of rubber. Love thy neighbor as thyself In George Sokolsky's column. Birds that really sing. Every day's tomorrow And election time Is always four years From the other And my lawn mower New and shiny From the big gla** shopping center Cuts my hair on credit. They rung my bell to ask me Could I recommend a maid. I said, yes, your mama.