by Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967)

Language: English 
Mama, please brush off my coat,
    I'm going down the street.
Where're you going, daughter?
    To see my sugar-sweet.

Who is your sugar, honey?
Turn around -- I'll brush behind.
    He is that young man, mama,
    I can't get off my mind.

Daughter, once upon a time --
Let me brush the hem --
Your father, yes he was the one!
I felt like that about him.

But it was a long time ago
He up and went his way.
I hope that wild young son-of-a-gun
Rots in hell today!

Mama, dad couldn't still be young.

He was young yesterday.
He was young when he --
Turn around!
So I can brush your back, I say!

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Composition:

    Set to music by Elie Siegmeister (1909 - 1991), "Mama and Daughter", 1964, published 1975 [ high voice and piano ], from Madam to You, no. 3

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: 21
Word count: 112