Life Is Fine by Langston Hughes
I went down to the river,
I set down on the bank.
I tried to think but couldn't,
So I jumped in and sank.
I came up once and hollered!
I came up twice and cried!
If that water hadn't a-been so cold
I might've sunk and died.
But it was Cold in that water! It was cold!
I took the elevator
Sixteen floors above the ground.
I thought about my baby
And thought I would jump down.
I stood there and I hollered!
I stood there and I cried!
If it hadn't a-been so high
I might've jumped and died.
But it was High up there! It was high!
So since I'm still here livin',
I guess I will live on.
I could've died for love--
But for livin' I was born
Though you may hear me holler,
And you may see me cry--
I'll be dogged, sweet baby,
If you gonna see me die.
Life is fine! Fine as wine! Life is fine!
I set down on the bank.
I tried to think but couldn't,
So I jumped in and sank.
I came up once and hollered!
I came up twice and cried!
If that water hadn't a-been so cold
I might've sunk and died.
But it was Cold in that water! It was cold!
I took the elevator
Sixteen floors above the ground.
I thought about my baby
And thought I would jump down.
I stood there and I hollered!
I stood there and I cried!
If it hadn't a-been so high
I might've jumped and died.
But it was High up there! It was high!
So since I'm still here livin',
I guess I will live on.
I could've died for love--
But for livin' I was born
Though you may hear me holler,
And you may see me cry--
I'll be dogged, sweet baby,
If you gonna see me die.
Life is fine! Fine as wine! Life is fine!
I love this. The rhythm is great, the spirit uplifting. Life is fine!
ReplyDeleteHmm. It makes me realize (again) how damn serious I am. Lovely poem by Mr Hughes. I first read him in high school, and became very attached to one poem in particular (that I can't recall now, but will try to find). In the meantime:
ReplyDeleteStill Here by Langston Hughes
I been scared and battered.
My hopes the wind done scattered.
Snow has friz me,
Sun has baked me,
Looks like between 'em they done
Tried to make me
Stop laughin', stop lovin', stop livin'--
But I don't care!
I'm still here!
The rap-song rhythm is inviting - intoxicating.
ReplyDeleteI'm sittin' here shakin'
with my cold arse achin'
so I'll get up and give it some move.
My sugar's travelin'
and my good mood's ravelin'
- he's 500 miles from my bed.
What's in his head?
So far away - and I'm still here.
Stop laughin', stop lovin', stop livin'-
No - let's have a beer.
I'll carry this with me today: "But for livin' I was born"
ReplyDeleteAnd tomorrow