by Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967)

Language: English 
The rent man knocked.
He said, Howdy-do?
I said, What
Can I do for you?
He said, You know
Your rent is due.

I said, Listen,
Before I'd pay
I'd go to Hades
And rot away!

The sink is broke,
The water don't run,
And you ain't done a thing
You promised to've done.

Back window's cracked,
Kitchen floor squeaks,
There's rats in the cellar,
And the attic leaks.

He said, Madam,
It's not up to me.
I'm just the agent,
Don't you see?

I said, Naturally,
You pass the buck.
If it's money you want
You're out of luck.

He said, Madam,
I ain't pleased!
I said, Neither am I.

So we agrees!

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Composition:

    Set to music by Elie Siegmeister (1909 - 1991), "Madam and the Rent Man", 1964, published 1975 [ high voice and piano ], from Madam to You, no. 4

Text Authorship:

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2008-09-07
Line count: 30
Word count: 114