Category: African-American
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“Ships That Pass In The Night” by Paul Laurence Dunbar
Out in the sky the great dark clouds are massing; I look far out into the pregnant night, Where I can hear a solemn booming gun And catch the gleaming of a random light, That tells me that the ship I seek is passing, passing. My tearful eyes my soul’s deep hurt are glassing; For…
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“A Grain of Sand” by Frances E. W. Harper
Do you see this grain of sand Lying loosely in my hand? Do you know to me it brought Just a simple loving thought? When one gazes night by night On the glorious stars of light, Oh how little seems the span Measured round the life of man. Oh! how fleeting are his years With…
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“Church Building” by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper
Uncle Jacob often told us, Since freedom blessed our race We ought all to come together And build a meeting place. So we pinched, and scraped, and spared, A little here and there: Though our wages was but scanty, The church did get a share. And, when the house was finished, Uncle Jacob came to…
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“Blessed Hope” by France E.W. Harper
Oh! crush it not, that hope so blest, Which cheers the fainting heart, And points it to the coming rest, Where sorrow has no part. Tear from my heart each worldly prop, Unbind each earthly string, But to this blest and glorious hope, Oh! let my spirit cling. It cheer’d amid the days of old,…
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“Morning Song of Love” by Paul Laurence Dunbar
Darling, my darling, my heart is on the wing, It flies to thee this morning like a bird, Like happy birds in springtime my spirits soar and sing, The same sweet song thine ears have often heard. The sun is in my window, the shadow on the lea, The wind is moving in the branches…
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“The Glory of the Day Was In Her Face” by James Weldon Johnson
The glory of the day was in her face, The beauty of the night was in her eyes. And over all her loveliness, the grace Of Morning blushing in the early skies. And in her voice, the calling of the dove; Like music of a sweet, melodious part. And in her smile, the breaking light…
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“A Negro Love Song” by Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872 – 1906)
Seen my lady home las’ night, Jump back, honey, jump back. Hel’ huh han’ an’ sque’z it tight, Jump back, honey, jump back. Hyeahd huh sigh a little sigh, Seen a light gleam f’om huh eye, An’ a smile go flittin’ by — Jump back, honey, jump back. Hyeahd de win’ blow thoo de pine,…
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“A Song for Myself” by Melvin B. Tolson (1898 – 1966)
I judge My soul Eagle Nor mole: A man Is what He saves From rot.
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“A Mathematical Problem in Verse” by Benjamin Banneker
A COOPER and Vintner sat down for a talk, Both being so groggy, that neither could walk, Says Cooper to Vintner, “I’m the first of my trade, There’s no kind of vessel, but what I have made, And of any shpe, Sir, -just what you will,- And of any size, Sir, -from a ton to…
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“Georgia Dusk” by Jean Toomer (1894 – 1967)
The sky, lazily disdaining to pursue The setting sun, too indolent to hold A lengthened tournament for flashing gold, Passively darkens for night’s barbecue, A feast of moon and men and barking hounds, An orgy for some genius of the South With blood-hot eyes and cane-lipped scented mouth, Surprised in making folk-songs from soul sounds.…
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