Landlord, landlord, My roof has sprung a leak. Don't you 'member I told you 'bout it Way last week? Landlord, landlord These steps is broken down. When you come up yourself It's a wonder you don't fall down. Ten bucks you say I owe you? Ten bucks you say is due? Well, that Ten Bucks more'n I'll pay you Till you fix this house up new. What? You gonna get eviction orders? You gonna cut off my heat? You gonna take my furniture and Throw it in the street? Um-huh! You talking high and mighty. Talk on - till you get through. You ain't gonna be able to say a word If I land my fist on you. Police! Police! Come and get this man! He's trying to ruin the government And overturn the land! Copper's whistle! Patrol bell! Arrest. Precinct Station. Iron cell. Headlines in press: MAN THREATENS LANDLORD TENANT HELD NO BAIL JUDGE GIVES NEGRO 90 DAYS IN COUNTY JAIL.
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Text Authorship:
- by Langston Hughes (1902 - 1967) [author's text not yet checked 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 William Bolcom (b. 1938), "Ballad of the Landlord", 2001, first performed 2002 [ baritone and piano ], from Old Addresses, no. 4 [sung text checked 1 time]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2010-11-02
Line count: 33
Word count: 161