Because my mouth Is wide with laughter And my throat Is deep with song, You do not think I suffer after I have held my pain So long. Because my mouth Is wide with laughter, You do not hear my inner cry? Because my feet Are gay with dancing You do not know I die?
Three dream portraits
Song Cycle by Margaret Bonds (1913 - 1972)
1. Minstrel man
Language: English
Text Authorship:
- by Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967), "Minstrel man", appears in The Dream Keeper and Other Poems, first published 1932
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Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
Confirmed with Mein dunklen Hände. Moderne Negerlyrik in Original und Nachdichtung, herausgegeben und übertragen von Eva Hesse und Paridam von dem Knesebeck, München: Nymphenburger Verlag, 1953, page 24.
Researcher for this page: Sharon Krebs [Senior Associate Editor]
2. Dream variation
Language: English
To fling my arms wide In some place in the sun, To whirl and dance Till the bright day is done. Then rest at cool evening Beneath a tall tree While night comes gently Dark like me. That is my dream. To fling my arms wide In the face of the sun. Dance! Whirl! Whirl! Till the quick day is done. Rest at pale evening, A tall, slim tree, Night coming tenderly Black like me.
Text Authorship:
- by Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967), "Dream variation", appears in The Weary Blues, first published 1926
See other settings of this text.
Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]3. I, too
Language: English
I, too sing America.
I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes.
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.
Tomorrow,
I'll sit at the table
When company comes.
Nobody'll dare
Say to me,
"Eat in the kitchen,"
Then.
Besides,
They'll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed. --
...
Text Authorship:
- by Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967), "I, Too", appears in The Weary Blues, first published 1926
See other settings of this text.
Please note: this text, provided here for educational and research use, is in the public domain in Canada, but it may still be copyright in other legal jurisdictions. The LiederNet Archive makes no guarantee that the above text is public domain in your country. Please consult your country's copyright statutes or a qualified IP attorney to verify whether a certain text is in the public domain in your country or if downloading or distributing a copy constitutes fair use. The LiederNet Archive assumes no legal responsibility or liability for the copyright compliance of third parties.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]Total word count: 188