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by Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967)

Number runner
Language: English 
Number runner
Come to my door.
I had swore
I wouldn't play no more

He said, Madam,
6-0-2
Looks like a likely
hit for you.

I said, Last night
I dreamed 7-0-3.
He said, That might
Be a hit for me.

He played a dime,
I played, too,
Then we boxed 'em.
Wouldn't you?

But the number that day
was 3-2-6
And we both was in
The same old fix.

I said, I swear I
Ain't gonna play no more
Till I get over
To the other shore --

Then I can play
On them golden streets
Where the number not only
Comes out - but repeats!

The runner said, Madam,
That's all very well --
But suppose
You goes to hell?

About the headline (FAQ)

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.

Text Authorship:

  • by Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967), "Madam and the Number Writer", appears in One-Way Ticket, first published 1949 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

  • by Elie Siegmeister (1909 - 1991), "Madam and the Number Runner", 1964, published 1975 [ high voice and piano ], from Madam to You, no. 6 [sung text checked 1 time]

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2008-09-07
Line count: 32
Word count: 119

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