THE WEARY BLUESTHE WEARY BLUESDroning a drowsy syncopated tune,Rocking back and forth to a mellow croon,I heard a Negro play.Down on Lenox Avenue the other nightBy the pale dull pallor of an old gas lightHe did a lazy sway....He did a lazy sway....To the tune o’ those Weary Blues.With his ebony hands on each ivory keyHe made that poor piano moan with melody.O Blues!Swaying to and fro on his rickety stoolHe played that sad raggy tune like a musical fool.Sweet Blues!Coming from a black man’s soul.O Blues!In a deep song voice with a melancholy toneI heard that Negro sing, that old piano moan—“Ain’t got nobody in all this world,Ain’t got nobody but ma self.I’s gwine to quit ma frownin’And put ma troubles on the shelf.”Thump, thump, thump, went his foot on the floor.He played a few chords then he sang some more—“I got the Weary BluesAnd I can’t be satisfied.Got the Weary BluesAnd can’t be satisfied—I ain’t happy no mo’And I wish that I had died.”And far into the night he crooned that tune.The stars went out and so did the moon.The singer stopped playing and went to bedWhile the Weary Blues echoed through his head.He slept like a rock or a man that’s dead.JAZZONIAOh, silver tree!Oh, shining rivers of the soul!In a Harlem cabaretSix long-headed jazzers play.A dancing girl whose eyes are boldLifts high a dress of silken gold.Oh, singing tree!Oh, shining rivers of the soul!Were Eve’s eyesIn the first gardenJust a bit too bold?Was Cleopatra gorgeousIn a gown of gold?Oh, shining tree!Oh, silver rivers of the soul!In a whirling cabaretSix long-headed jazzers play.NEGRO DANCERS“Me an’ ma baby’sGot two mo’ ways,Two mo’ ways to do de buck!Da, da,Da, da, da!Two mo’ ways to do de buck!”Soft light on the tables,Music gay,Brown-skin steppersIn a cabaret.White folks, laugh!White folks, pray!“Me an’ ma baby’sGot two mo’ ways,Two mo’ ways to do de buck!”THE CAT AND THE SAXOPHONE (2 A.M.)EVERYBODYHalf-pint,—Gin?No, make itLOVES MY BABYcorn. You likeliquor,don’t you, honey?BUT MY BABYSure. Kiss me,DON’T LOVE NOBODYdaddy.BUT ME.Say!EVERYBODYYes?WANTS MY BABYI’m yourBUT MY BABYsweetie, ain’t I?DON’T WANT NOBODYSure.BUTThen let’sME,do it!SWEET ME.Charleston,mamma!!YOUNG SINGEROne who sings “chansons vulgaires”In a Harlem cellarWhere the jazz-band playsFrom dark to dawnWould not understandShould you tell herThat she is like a nymphFor some wild faun.CABARETDoes a jazz-band ever sob?They say a jazz-band’s gay.Yet as the vulgar dancers whirledAnd the wan night wore away,One said she heard the jazz-band sobWhen the little dawn was grey.TO MIDNIGHT NAN AT LEROY’SStrut and wiggle,Shameless gal.Wouldn’t no good fellowBe your pal.Hear dat music....Jungle night.Hear dat music....And the moon was white.Sing your Blues song,Pretty baby.You want lovin’And you don’t mean maybe.Jungle lover....Night black boy....Two against the moonAnd the moon was joy.Strut and wiggle,Shameless Nan.Wouldn’t no good fellowBe your man.TO A LITTLE LOVER-LASS, DEADSheWho searched for loversIn the nightHas gone the quiet wayInto the still,Dark land of deathBeyond the rim of day.Now like a little lonely waifShe walksAn endless streetAnd gives her kiss to nothingness.Would God his lips were sweet!HARLEM NIGHT CLUBSleek black boys in a cabaret.Jazz-band, jazz-band,—Play, plAY, PLAY!Tomorrow....who knows?Dance today!White girls’ eyesCall gay black boys.Black boys’ lipsGrin jungle joys.Dark brown girlsIn blond men’s arms.Jazz-band, jazz-band,—Sing Eve’s charms!White ones, brown ones,What do you knowAbout tomorrowWhere all paths go?Jazz-boys, jazz-boys,—Play, plAY, PLAY!Tomorrow....is darkness.Joy today!NUDE YOUNG DANCERWhat jungle tree have you slept under,Midnight dancer of the jazzy hour?What great forest has hung its perfumeLike a sweet veil about your bower?What jungle tree have you slept under,Night-dark girl of the swaying hips?What star-white moon has been your mother?To what clean boy have you offered your lips?YOUNG PROSTITUTEHer dark brown faceIs like a withered flowerOn a broken stem.Those kind come cheap in HarlemSo they say.TO A BLACK DANCER IN “THE LITTLE SAVOY”Wine-maidenOf the jazz-tuned night,LipsSweet as purple dew,BreastsLike the pillows of all sweet dreams,Who crushedThe grapes of joyAnd dripped their juiceOn you?SONG FOR A BANJO DANCEShake your brown feet, honey,Shake your brown feet, chile,Shake your brown feet, honey,Shake ’em swift and wil’—Get way back, honey,Do that low-down step.Walk on over, darling,Now! Come outWith your left.Shake your brown feet, honey,Shake ’em, honey chile.Sun’s going down this evening—Might never rise no mo’.The sun’s going down this very night—Might never rise no mo’—So dance with swift feet, honey,(The banjo’s sobbing low)Dance with swift feet, honey—Might never dance no mo’.Shake your brown feet, Liza,Shake ’em, Liza, chile,Shake your brown feet, Liza,(The music’s soft and wil’)Shake your brown feet, Liza,(The banjo’s sobbing low)The sun’s going down this very night—Might never rise no mo’.BLUES FANTASYHey! Hey!That’s what theBlues singers say.Singing minor melodiesThey laugh,Hey! Hey!My man’s done left me,Chile, he’s gone away.My good man’s left me,Babe, he’s gone away.Now the cryin’ bluesHaunts me night and day.Hey!...Hey!Weary,Weary,Trouble, pain.Sun’s gonna shineSomewhereAgain.I got a railroad ticket,Pack my trunk and ride.Sing ’em, sister!Got a railroad ticket,Pack my trunk and ride.And when I get on the trainI’ll cast my blues aside.Laughing,Hey!...Hey!Laugh a loud,Hey! Hey!LENOX AVENUE: MIDNIGHTThe rhythm of lifeIs a jazz rhythm,Honey.The gods are laughing at us.The broken heart of love,The weary, weary heart of pain,—Overtones,Undertones,To the rumble of street cars,To the swish of rain.Lenox Avenue,Honey.Midnight,And the gods are laughing at us.
THE WEARY BLUES
THE WEARY BLUESDroning a drowsy syncopated tune,Rocking back and forth to a mellow croon,I heard a Negro play.Down on Lenox Avenue the other nightBy the pale dull pallor of an old gas lightHe did a lazy sway....He did a lazy sway....To the tune o’ those Weary Blues.With his ebony hands on each ivory keyHe made that poor piano moan with melody.O Blues!Swaying to and fro on his rickety stoolHe played that sad raggy tune like a musical fool.Sweet Blues!Coming from a black man’s soul.O Blues!In a deep song voice with a melancholy toneI heard that Negro sing, that old piano moan—“Ain’t got nobody in all this world,Ain’t got nobody but ma self.I’s gwine to quit ma frownin’And put ma troubles on the shelf.”Thump, thump, thump, went his foot on the floor.He played a few chords then he sang some more—“I got the Weary BluesAnd I can’t be satisfied.Got the Weary BluesAnd can’t be satisfied—I ain’t happy no mo’And I wish that I had died.”And far into the night he crooned that tune.The stars went out and so did the moon.The singer stopped playing and went to bedWhile the Weary Blues echoed through his head.He slept like a rock or a man that’s dead.
Droning a drowsy syncopated tune,Rocking back and forth to a mellow croon,I heard a Negro play.Down on Lenox Avenue the other nightBy the pale dull pallor of an old gas lightHe did a lazy sway....He did a lazy sway....To the tune o’ those Weary Blues.With his ebony hands on each ivory keyHe made that poor piano moan with melody.O Blues!Swaying to and fro on his rickety stoolHe played that sad raggy tune like a musical fool.Sweet Blues!Coming from a black man’s soul.O Blues!In a deep song voice with a melancholy toneI heard that Negro sing, that old piano moan—“Ain’t got nobody in all this world,Ain’t got nobody but ma self.I’s gwine to quit ma frownin’And put ma troubles on the shelf.”Thump, thump, thump, went his foot on the floor.He played a few chords then he sang some more—“I got the Weary BluesAnd I can’t be satisfied.Got the Weary BluesAnd can’t be satisfied—I ain’t happy no mo’And I wish that I had died.”And far into the night he crooned that tune.The stars went out and so did the moon.The singer stopped playing and went to bedWhile the Weary Blues echoed through his head.He slept like a rock or a man that’s dead.
Droning a drowsy syncopated tune,Rocking back and forth to a mellow croon,I heard a Negro play.Down on Lenox Avenue the other nightBy the pale dull pallor of an old gas lightHe did a lazy sway....He did a lazy sway....To the tune o’ those Weary Blues.With his ebony hands on each ivory keyHe made that poor piano moan with melody.O Blues!Swaying to and fro on his rickety stoolHe played that sad raggy tune like a musical fool.Sweet Blues!Coming from a black man’s soul.O Blues!In a deep song voice with a melancholy toneI heard that Negro sing, that old piano moan—“Ain’t got nobody in all this world,Ain’t got nobody but ma self.I’s gwine to quit ma frownin’And put ma troubles on the shelf.”Thump, thump, thump, went his foot on the floor.He played a few chords then he sang some more—“I got the Weary BluesAnd I can’t be satisfied.Got the Weary BluesAnd can’t be satisfied—I ain’t happy no mo’And I wish that I had died.”And far into the night he crooned that tune.The stars went out and so did the moon.The singer stopped playing and went to bedWhile the Weary Blues echoed through his head.He slept like a rock or a man that’s dead.
Droning a drowsy syncopated tune,Rocking back and forth to a mellow croon,I heard a Negro play.Down on Lenox Avenue the other nightBy the pale dull pallor of an old gas lightHe did a lazy sway....He did a lazy sway....To the tune o’ those Weary Blues.With his ebony hands on each ivory keyHe made that poor piano moan with melody.O Blues!Swaying to and fro on his rickety stoolHe played that sad raggy tune like a musical fool.Sweet Blues!Coming from a black man’s soul.O Blues!In a deep song voice with a melancholy toneI heard that Negro sing, that old piano moan—“Ain’t got nobody in all this world,Ain’t got nobody but ma self.I’s gwine to quit ma frownin’And put ma troubles on the shelf.”Thump, thump, thump, went his foot on the floor.He played a few chords then he sang some more—“I got the Weary BluesAnd I can’t be satisfied.Got the Weary BluesAnd can’t be satisfied—I ain’t happy no mo’And I wish that I had died.”And far into the night he crooned that tune.The stars went out and so did the moon.The singer stopped playing and went to bedWhile the Weary Blues echoed through his head.He slept like a rock or a man that’s dead.
Droning a drowsy syncopated tune,
Rocking back and forth to a mellow croon,
I heard a Negro play.
Down on Lenox Avenue the other night
By the pale dull pallor of an old gas light
He did a lazy sway....
He did a lazy sway....
To the tune o’ those Weary Blues.
With his ebony hands on each ivory key
He made that poor piano moan with melody.
O Blues!
Swaying to and fro on his rickety stool
He played that sad raggy tune like a musical fool.
Sweet Blues!
Coming from a black man’s soul.
O Blues!
In a deep song voice with a melancholy tone
I heard that Negro sing, that old piano moan—
“Ain’t got nobody in all this world,
Ain’t got nobody but ma self.
I’s gwine to quit ma frownin’
And put ma troubles on the shelf.”
Thump, thump, thump, went his foot on the floor.
He played a few chords then he sang some more—
“I got the Weary Blues
And I can’t be satisfied.
Got the Weary Blues
And can’t be satisfied—
I ain’t happy no mo’
And I wish that I had died.”
And far into the night he crooned that tune.
The stars went out and so did the moon.
The singer stopped playing and went to bed
While the Weary Blues echoed through his head.
He slept like a rock or a man that’s dead.
JAZZONIAOh, silver tree!Oh, shining rivers of the soul!In a Harlem cabaretSix long-headed jazzers play.A dancing girl whose eyes are boldLifts high a dress of silken gold.Oh, singing tree!Oh, shining rivers of the soul!Were Eve’s eyesIn the first gardenJust a bit too bold?Was Cleopatra gorgeousIn a gown of gold?Oh, shining tree!Oh, silver rivers of the soul!In a whirling cabaretSix long-headed jazzers play.
Oh, silver tree!Oh, shining rivers of the soul!In a Harlem cabaretSix long-headed jazzers play.A dancing girl whose eyes are boldLifts high a dress of silken gold.Oh, singing tree!Oh, shining rivers of the soul!Were Eve’s eyesIn the first gardenJust a bit too bold?Was Cleopatra gorgeousIn a gown of gold?Oh, shining tree!Oh, silver rivers of the soul!In a whirling cabaretSix long-headed jazzers play.
Oh, silver tree!Oh, shining rivers of the soul!In a Harlem cabaretSix long-headed jazzers play.A dancing girl whose eyes are boldLifts high a dress of silken gold.Oh, singing tree!Oh, shining rivers of the soul!Were Eve’s eyesIn the first gardenJust a bit too bold?Was Cleopatra gorgeousIn a gown of gold?Oh, shining tree!Oh, silver rivers of the soul!In a whirling cabaretSix long-headed jazzers play.
Oh, silver tree!Oh, shining rivers of the soul!
Oh, silver tree!
Oh, shining rivers of the soul!
In a Harlem cabaretSix long-headed jazzers play.A dancing girl whose eyes are boldLifts high a dress of silken gold.
In a Harlem cabaret
Six long-headed jazzers play.
A dancing girl whose eyes are bold
Lifts high a dress of silken gold.
Oh, singing tree!Oh, shining rivers of the soul!
Oh, singing tree!
Oh, shining rivers of the soul!
Were Eve’s eyesIn the first gardenJust a bit too bold?Was Cleopatra gorgeousIn a gown of gold?
Were Eve’s eyes
In the first garden
Just a bit too bold?
Was Cleopatra gorgeous
In a gown of gold?
Oh, shining tree!Oh, silver rivers of the soul!
Oh, shining tree!
Oh, silver rivers of the soul!
In a whirling cabaretSix long-headed jazzers play.
In a whirling cabaret
Six long-headed jazzers play.
NEGRO DANCERS“Me an’ ma baby’sGot two mo’ ways,Two mo’ ways to do de buck!Da, da,Da, da, da!Two mo’ ways to do de buck!”Soft light on the tables,Music gay,Brown-skin steppersIn a cabaret.White folks, laugh!White folks, pray!“Me an’ ma baby’sGot two mo’ ways,Two mo’ ways to do de buck!”
“Me an’ ma baby’sGot two mo’ ways,Two mo’ ways to do de buck!Da, da,Da, da, da!Two mo’ ways to do de buck!”Soft light on the tables,Music gay,Brown-skin steppersIn a cabaret.White folks, laugh!White folks, pray!“Me an’ ma baby’sGot two mo’ ways,Two mo’ ways to do de buck!”
“Me an’ ma baby’sGot two mo’ ways,Two mo’ ways to do de buck!Da, da,Da, da, da!Two mo’ ways to do de buck!”Soft light on the tables,Music gay,Brown-skin steppersIn a cabaret.White folks, laugh!White folks, pray!“Me an’ ma baby’sGot two mo’ ways,Two mo’ ways to do de buck!”
“Me an’ ma baby’sGot two mo’ ways,Two mo’ ways to do de buck!Da, da,Da, da, da!Two mo’ ways to do de buck!”
“Me an’ ma baby’s
Got two mo’ ways,
Two mo’ ways to do de buck!
Da, da,
Da, da, da!
Two mo’ ways to do de buck!”
Soft light on the tables,Music gay,Brown-skin steppersIn a cabaret.
Soft light on the tables,
Music gay,
Brown-skin steppers
In a cabaret.
White folks, laugh!White folks, pray!
White folks, laugh!
White folks, pray!
“Me an’ ma baby’sGot two mo’ ways,Two mo’ ways to do de buck!”
“Me an’ ma baby’s
Got two mo’ ways,
Two mo’ ways to do de buck!”
THE CAT AND THE SAXOPHONE (2 A.M.)EVERYBODYHalf-pint,—Gin?No, make itLOVES MY BABYcorn. You likeliquor,don’t you, honey?BUT MY BABYSure. Kiss me,DON’T LOVE NOBODYdaddy.BUT ME.Say!EVERYBODYYes?WANTS MY BABYI’m yourBUT MY BABYsweetie, ain’t I?DON’T WANT NOBODYSure.BUTThen let’sME,do it!SWEET ME.Charleston,mamma!!
EVERYBODYHalf-pint,—Gin?No, make itLOVES MY BABYcorn. You likeliquor,don’t you, honey?BUT MY BABYSure. Kiss me,DON’T LOVE NOBODYdaddy.BUT ME.Say!EVERYBODYYes?WANTS MY BABYI’m yourBUT MY BABYsweetie, ain’t I?DON’T WANT NOBODYSure.BUTThen let’sME,do it!SWEET ME.Charleston,mamma!!
EVERYBODYHalf-pint,—Gin?No, make itLOVES MY BABYcorn. You likeliquor,don’t you, honey?BUT MY BABYSure. Kiss me,DON’T LOVE NOBODYdaddy.BUT ME.Say!EVERYBODYYes?WANTS MY BABYI’m yourBUT MY BABYsweetie, ain’t I?DON’T WANT NOBODYSure.BUTThen let’sME,do it!SWEET ME.Charleston,mamma!!
EVERYBODYHalf-pint,—Gin?No, make itLOVES MY BABYcorn. You likeliquor,don’t you, honey?BUT MY BABYSure. Kiss me,DON’T LOVE NOBODYdaddy.BUT ME.Say!EVERYBODYYes?WANTS MY BABYI’m yourBUT MY BABYsweetie, ain’t I?DON’T WANT NOBODYSure.BUTThen let’sME,do it!SWEET ME.Charleston,mamma!!
EVERYBODY
Half-pint,—
Gin?
No, make it
LOVES MY BABY
corn. You like
liquor,
don’t you, honey?
BUT MY BABY
Sure. Kiss me,
DON’T LOVE NOBODY
daddy.
BUT ME.
Say!
EVERYBODY
Yes?
WANTS MY BABY
I’m your
BUT MY BABY
sweetie, ain’t I?
DON’T WANT NOBODY
Sure.
BUT
Then let’s
ME,
do it!
SWEET ME.
Charleston,
mamma!
!
YOUNG SINGEROne who sings “chansons vulgaires”In a Harlem cellarWhere the jazz-band playsFrom dark to dawnWould not understandShould you tell herThat she is like a nymphFor some wild faun.
One who sings “chansons vulgaires”In a Harlem cellarWhere the jazz-band playsFrom dark to dawnWould not understandShould you tell herThat she is like a nymphFor some wild faun.
One who sings “chansons vulgaires”In a Harlem cellarWhere the jazz-band playsFrom dark to dawnWould not understandShould you tell herThat she is like a nymphFor some wild faun.
One who sings “chansons vulgaires”In a Harlem cellarWhere the jazz-band playsFrom dark to dawnWould not understandShould you tell herThat she is like a nymphFor some wild faun.
One who sings “chansons vulgaires”
In a Harlem cellar
Where the jazz-band plays
From dark to dawn
Would not understand
Should you tell her
That she is like a nymph
For some wild faun.
CABARETDoes a jazz-band ever sob?They say a jazz-band’s gay.Yet as the vulgar dancers whirledAnd the wan night wore away,One said she heard the jazz-band sobWhen the little dawn was grey.
Does a jazz-band ever sob?They say a jazz-band’s gay.Yet as the vulgar dancers whirledAnd the wan night wore away,One said she heard the jazz-band sobWhen the little dawn was grey.
Does a jazz-band ever sob?They say a jazz-band’s gay.Yet as the vulgar dancers whirledAnd the wan night wore away,One said she heard the jazz-band sobWhen the little dawn was grey.
Does a jazz-band ever sob?They say a jazz-band’s gay.Yet as the vulgar dancers whirledAnd the wan night wore away,One said she heard the jazz-band sobWhen the little dawn was grey.
Does a jazz-band ever sob?
They say a jazz-band’s gay.
Yet as the vulgar dancers whirled
And the wan night wore away,
One said she heard the jazz-band sob
When the little dawn was grey.
TO MIDNIGHT NAN AT LEROY’SStrut and wiggle,Shameless gal.Wouldn’t no good fellowBe your pal.Hear dat music....Jungle night.Hear dat music....And the moon was white.Sing your Blues song,Pretty baby.You want lovin’And you don’t mean maybe.Jungle lover....Night black boy....Two against the moonAnd the moon was joy.Strut and wiggle,Shameless Nan.Wouldn’t no good fellowBe your man.
Strut and wiggle,Shameless gal.Wouldn’t no good fellowBe your pal.Hear dat music....Jungle night.Hear dat music....And the moon was white.Sing your Blues song,Pretty baby.You want lovin’And you don’t mean maybe.Jungle lover....Night black boy....Two against the moonAnd the moon was joy.Strut and wiggle,Shameless Nan.Wouldn’t no good fellowBe your man.
Strut and wiggle,Shameless gal.Wouldn’t no good fellowBe your pal.Hear dat music....Jungle night.Hear dat music....And the moon was white.Sing your Blues song,Pretty baby.You want lovin’And you don’t mean maybe.Jungle lover....Night black boy....Two against the moonAnd the moon was joy.Strut and wiggle,Shameless Nan.Wouldn’t no good fellowBe your man.
Strut and wiggle,Shameless gal.Wouldn’t no good fellowBe your pal.
Strut and wiggle,
Shameless gal.
Wouldn’t no good fellow
Be your pal.
Hear dat music....Jungle night.Hear dat music....And the moon was white.
Hear dat music....
Jungle night.
Hear dat music....
And the moon was white.
Sing your Blues song,Pretty baby.You want lovin’And you don’t mean maybe.
Sing your Blues song,
Pretty baby.
You want lovin’
And you don’t mean maybe.
Jungle lover....Night black boy....Two against the moonAnd the moon was joy.
Jungle lover....
Night black boy....
Two against the moon
And the moon was joy.
Strut and wiggle,Shameless Nan.Wouldn’t no good fellowBe your man.
Strut and wiggle,
Shameless Nan.
Wouldn’t no good fellow
Be your man.
TO A LITTLE LOVER-LASS, DEADSheWho searched for loversIn the nightHas gone the quiet wayInto the still,Dark land of deathBeyond the rim of day.Now like a little lonely waifShe walksAn endless streetAnd gives her kiss to nothingness.Would God his lips were sweet!
SheWho searched for loversIn the nightHas gone the quiet wayInto the still,Dark land of deathBeyond the rim of day.Now like a little lonely waifShe walksAn endless streetAnd gives her kiss to nothingness.Would God his lips were sweet!
SheWho searched for loversIn the nightHas gone the quiet wayInto the still,Dark land of deathBeyond the rim of day.Now like a little lonely waifShe walksAn endless streetAnd gives her kiss to nothingness.Would God his lips were sweet!
SheWho searched for loversIn the nightHas gone the quiet wayInto the still,Dark land of deathBeyond the rim of day.
She
Who searched for lovers
In the night
Has gone the quiet way
Into the still,
Dark land of death
Beyond the rim of day.
Now like a little lonely waifShe walksAn endless streetAnd gives her kiss to nothingness.Would God his lips were sweet!
Now like a little lonely waif
She walks
An endless street
And gives her kiss to nothingness.
Would God his lips were sweet!
HARLEM NIGHT CLUBSleek black boys in a cabaret.Jazz-band, jazz-band,—Play, plAY, PLAY!Tomorrow....who knows?Dance today!White girls’ eyesCall gay black boys.Black boys’ lipsGrin jungle joys.Dark brown girlsIn blond men’s arms.Jazz-band, jazz-band,—Sing Eve’s charms!White ones, brown ones,What do you knowAbout tomorrowWhere all paths go?Jazz-boys, jazz-boys,—Play, plAY, PLAY!Tomorrow....is darkness.Joy today!
Sleek black boys in a cabaret.Jazz-band, jazz-band,—Play, plAY, PLAY!Tomorrow....who knows?Dance today!White girls’ eyesCall gay black boys.Black boys’ lipsGrin jungle joys.Dark brown girlsIn blond men’s arms.Jazz-band, jazz-band,—Sing Eve’s charms!White ones, brown ones,What do you knowAbout tomorrowWhere all paths go?Jazz-boys, jazz-boys,—Play, plAY, PLAY!Tomorrow....is darkness.Joy today!
Sleek black boys in a cabaret.Jazz-band, jazz-band,—Play, plAY, PLAY!Tomorrow....who knows?Dance today!White girls’ eyesCall gay black boys.Black boys’ lipsGrin jungle joys.Dark brown girlsIn blond men’s arms.Jazz-band, jazz-band,—Sing Eve’s charms!White ones, brown ones,What do you knowAbout tomorrowWhere all paths go?Jazz-boys, jazz-boys,—Play, plAY, PLAY!Tomorrow....is darkness.Joy today!
Sleek black boys in a cabaret.Jazz-band, jazz-band,—Play, plAY, PLAY!Tomorrow....who knows?Dance today!
Sleek black boys in a cabaret.
Jazz-band, jazz-band,—
Play, plAY, PLAY!
Tomorrow....who knows?
Dance today!
White girls’ eyesCall gay black boys.Black boys’ lipsGrin jungle joys.
White girls’ eyes
Call gay black boys.
Black boys’ lips
Grin jungle joys.
Dark brown girlsIn blond men’s arms.Jazz-band, jazz-band,—Sing Eve’s charms!
Dark brown girls
In blond men’s arms.
Jazz-band, jazz-band,—
Sing Eve’s charms!
White ones, brown ones,What do you knowAbout tomorrowWhere all paths go?
White ones, brown ones,
What do you know
About tomorrow
Where all paths go?
Jazz-boys, jazz-boys,—Play, plAY, PLAY!Tomorrow....is darkness.Joy today!
Jazz-boys, jazz-boys,—
Play, plAY, PLAY!
Tomorrow....is darkness.
Joy today!
NUDE YOUNG DANCERWhat jungle tree have you slept under,Midnight dancer of the jazzy hour?What great forest has hung its perfumeLike a sweet veil about your bower?What jungle tree have you slept under,Night-dark girl of the swaying hips?What star-white moon has been your mother?To what clean boy have you offered your lips?
What jungle tree have you slept under,Midnight dancer of the jazzy hour?What great forest has hung its perfumeLike a sweet veil about your bower?What jungle tree have you slept under,Night-dark girl of the swaying hips?What star-white moon has been your mother?To what clean boy have you offered your lips?
What jungle tree have you slept under,Midnight dancer of the jazzy hour?What great forest has hung its perfumeLike a sweet veil about your bower?What jungle tree have you slept under,Night-dark girl of the swaying hips?What star-white moon has been your mother?To what clean boy have you offered your lips?
What jungle tree have you slept under,Midnight dancer of the jazzy hour?What great forest has hung its perfumeLike a sweet veil about your bower?
What jungle tree have you slept under,
Midnight dancer of the jazzy hour?
What great forest has hung its perfume
Like a sweet veil about your bower?
What jungle tree have you slept under,Night-dark girl of the swaying hips?What star-white moon has been your mother?To what clean boy have you offered your lips?
What jungle tree have you slept under,
Night-dark girl of the swaying hips?
What star-white moon has been your mother?
To what clean boy have you offered your lips?
YOUNG PROSTITUTEHer dark brown faceIs like a withered flowerOn a broken stem.Those kind come cheap in HarlemSo they say.
Her dark brown faceIs like a withered flowerOn a broken stem.Those kind come cheap in HarlemSo they say.
Her dark brown faceIs like a withered flowerOn a broken stem.Those kind come cheap in HarlemSo they say.
Her dark brown faceIs like a withered flowerOn a broken stem.Those kind come cheap in HarlemSo they say.
Her dark brown face
Is like a withered flower
On a broken stem.
Those kind come cheap in Harlem
So they say.
TO A BLACK DANCER IN “THE LITTLE SAVOY”Wine-maidenOf the jazz-tuned night,LipsSweet as purple dew,BreastsLike the pillows of all sweet dreams,Who crushedThe grapes of joyAnd dripped their juiceOn you?
Wine-maidenOf the jazz-tuned night,LipsSweet as purple dew,BreastsLike the pillows of all sweet dreams,Who crushedThe grapes of joyAnd dripped their juiceOn you?
Wine-maidenOf the jazz-tuned night,LipsSweet as purple dew,BreastsLike the pillows of all sweet dreams,Who crushedThe grapes of joyAnd dripped their juiceOn you?
Wine-maidenOf the jazz-tuned night,LipsSweet as purple dew,BreastsLike the pillows of all sweet dreams,Who crushedThe grapes of joyAnd dripped their juiceOn you?
Wine-maiden
Of the jazz-tuned night,
Lips
Sweet as purple dew,
Breasts
Like the pillows of all sweet dreams,
Who crushed
The grapes of joy
And dripped their juice
On you?
SONG FOR A BANJO DANCEShake your brown feet, honey,Shake your brown feet, chile,Shake your brown feet, honey,Shake ’em swift and wil’—Get way back, honey,Do that low-down step.Walk on over, darling,Now! Come outWith your left.Shake your brown feet, honey,Shake ’em, honey chile.Sun’s going down this evening—Might never rise no mo’.The sun’s going down this very night—Might never rise no mo’—So dance with swift feet, honey,(The banjo’s sobbing low)Dance with swift feet, honey—Might never dance no mo’.Shake your brown feet, Liza,Shake ’em, Liza, chile,Shake your brown feet, Liza,(The music’s soft and wil’)Shake your brown feet, Liza,(The banjo’s sobbing low)The sun’s going down this very night—Might never rise no mo’.
Shake your brown feet, honey,Shake your brown feet, chile,Shake your brown feet, honey,Shake ’em swift and wil’—Get way back, honey,Do that low-down step.Walk on over, darling,Now! Come outWith your left.Shake your brown feet, honey,Shake ’em, honey chile.Sun’s going down this evening—Might never rise no mo’.The sun’s going down this very night—Might never rise no mo’—So dance with swift feet, honey,(The banjo’s sobbing low)Dance with swift feet, honey—Might never dance no mo’.Shake your brown feet, Liza,Shake ’em, Liza, chile,Shake your brown feet, Liza,(The music’s soft and wil’)Shake your brown feet, Liza,(The banjo’s sobbing low)The sun’s going down this very night—Might never rise no mo’.
Shake your brown feet, honey,Shake your brown feet, chile,Shake your brown feet, honey,Shake ’em swift and wil’—Get way back, honey,Do that low-down step.Walk on over, darling,Now! Come outWith your left.Shake your brown feet, honey,Shake ’em, honey chile.Sun’s going down this evening—Might never rise no mo’.The sun’s going down this very night—Might never rise no mo’—So dance with swift feet, honey,(The banjo’s sobbing low)Dance with swift feet, honey—Might never dance no mo’.Shake your brown feet, Liza,Shake ’em, Liza, chile,Shake your brown feet, Liza,(The music’s soft and wil’)Shake your brown feet, Liza,(The banjo’s sobbing low)The sun’s going down this very night—Might never rise no mo’.
Shake your brown feet, honey,Shake your brown feet, chile,Shake your brown feet, honey,Shake ’em swift and wil’—Get way back, honey,Do that low-down step.Walk on over, darling,Now! Come outWith your left.Shake your brown feet, honey,Shake ’em, honey chile.
Shake your brown feet, honey,
Shake your brown feet, chile,
Shake your brown feet, honey,
Shake ’em swift and wil’—
Get way back, honey,
Do that low-down step.
Walk on over, darling,
Now! Come out
With your left.
Shake your brown feet, honey,
Shake ’em, honey chile.
Sun’s going down this evening—Might never rise no mo’.The sun’s going down this very night—Might never rise no mo’—So dance with swift feet, honey,(The banjo’s sobbing low)Dance with swift feet, honey—Might never dance no mo’.
Sun’s going down this evening—
Might never rise no mo’.
The sun’s going down this very night—
Might never rise no mo’—
So dance with swift feet, honey,
(The banjo’s sobbing low)
Dance with swift feet, honey—
Might never dance no mo’.
Shake your brown feet, Liza,Shake ’em, Liza, chile,Shake your brown feet, Liza,(The music’s soft and wil’)Shake your brown feet, Liza,(The banjo’s sobbing low)The sun’s going down this very night—Might never rise no mo’.
Shake your brown feet, Liza,
Shake ’em, Liza, chile,
Shake your brown feet, Liza,
(The music’s soft and wil’)
Shake your brown feet, Liza,
(The banjo’s sobbing low)
The sun’s going down this very night—
Might never rise no mo’.
BLUES FANTASYHey! Hey!That’s what theBlues singers say.Singing minor melodiesThey laugh,Hey! Hey!My man’s done left me,Chile, he’s gone away.My good man’s left me,Babe, he’s gone away.Now the cryin’ bluesHaunts me night and day.Hey!...Hey!Weary,Weary,Trouble, pain.Sun’s gonna shineSomewhereAgain.I got a railroad ticket,Pack my trunk and ride.Sing ’em, sister!Got a railroad ticket,Pack my trunk and ride.And when I get on the trainI’ll cast my blues aside.Laughing,Hey!...Hey!Laugh a loud,Hey! Hey!
Hey! Hey!That’s what theBlues singers say.Singing minor melodiesThey laugh,Hey! Hey!My man’s done left me,Chile, he’s gone away.My good man’s left me,Babe, he’s gone away.Now the cryin’ bluesHaunts me night and day.Hey!...Hey!Weary,Weary,Trouble, pain.Sun’s gonna shineSomewhereAgain.I got a railroad ticket,Pack my trunk and ride.Sing ’em, sister!Got a railroad ticket,Pack my trunk and ride.And when I get on the trainI’ll cast my blues aside.Laughing,Hey!...Hey!Laugh a loud,Hey! Hey!
Hey! Hey!That’s what theBlues singers say.Singing minor melodiesThey laugh,Hey! Hey!My man’s done left me,Chile, he’s gone away.My good man’s left me,Babe, he’s gone away.Now the cryin’ bluesHaunts me night and day.Hey!...Hey!Weary,Weary,Trouble, pain.Sun’s gonna shineSomewhereAgain.I got a railroad ticket,Pack my trunk and ride.Sing ’em, sister!Got a railroad ticket,Pack my trunk and ride.And when I get on the trainI’ll cast my blues aside.Laughing,Hey!...Hey!Laugh a loud,Hey! Hey!
Hey! Hey!That’s what theBlues singers say.Singing minor melodiesThey laugh,Hey! Hey!
Hey! Hey!
That’s what the
Blues singers say.
Singing minor melodies
They laugh,
Hey! Hey!
My man’s done left me,Chile, he’s gone away.My good man’s left me,Babe, he’s gone away.Now the cryin’ bluesHaunts me night and day.
My man’s done left me,
Chile, he’s gone away.
My good man’s left me,
Babe, he’s gone away.
Now the cryin’ blues
Haunts me night and day.
Hey!...Hey!
Hey!...Hey!
Weary,Weary,Trouble, pain.Sun’s gonna shineSomewhereAgain.
Weary,
Weary,
Trouble, pain.
Sun’s gonna shine
Somewhere
Again.
I got a railroad ticket,Pack my trunk and ride.
I got a railroad ticket,
Pack my trunk and ride.
Sing ’em, sister!
Sing ’em, sister!
Got a railroad ticket,Pack my trunk and ride.And when I get on the trainI’ll cast my blues aside.
Got a railroad ticket,
Pack my trunk and ride.
And when I get on the train
I’ll cast my blues aside.
Laughing,Hey!...Hey!Laugh a loud,Hey! Hey!
Laughing,
Hey!...Hey!
Laugh a loud,
Hey! Hey!
LENOX AVENUE: MIDNIGHTThe rhythm of lifeIs a jazz rhythm,Honey.The gods are laughing at us.The broken heart of love,The weary, weary heart of pain,—Overtones,Undertones,To the rumble of street cars,To the swish of rain.Lenox Avenue,Honey.Midnight,And the gods are laughing at us.
The rhythm of lifeIs a jazz rhythm,Honey.The gods are laughing at us.The broken heart of love,The weary, weary heart of pain,—Overtones,Undertones,To the rumble of street cars,To the swish of rain.Lenox Avenue,Honey.Midnight,And the gods are laughing at us.
The rhythm of lifeIs a jazz rhythm,Honey.The gods are laughing at us.The broken heart of love,The weary, weary heart of pain,—Overtones,Undertones,To the rumble of street cars,To the swish of rain.Lenox Avenue,Honey.Midnight,And the gods are laughing at us.
The rhythm of lifeIs a jazz rhythm,Honey.The gods are laughing at us.
The rhythm of life
Is a jazz rhythm,
Honey.
The gods are laughing at us.
The broken heart of love,The weary, weary heart of pain,—Overtones,Undertones,To the rumble of street cars,To the swish of rain.
The broken heart of love,
The weary, weary heart of pain,—
Overtones,
Undertones,
To the rumble of street cars,
To the swish of rain.
Lenox Avenue,Honey.Midnight,And the gods are laughing at us.
Lenox Avenue,
Honey.
Midnight,
And the gods are laughing at us.