James Weldon Johnson: Всі вірші поета

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Answer to Prayer

Der ain't no use in sayin' de Lawd won't answer prah;

If you knows how to ax Him, I knows He's bound to heah.

De trouble is, some people don't ax de proper way,

Den w'en dey git's no answer dey doubts de use to pray.

You got to use egzac'ly de 'spressions an' de words

To show dat 'tween yo' faith an' works, you 'pends on works two-thirds.

Now, one time I remember — jes how long I won't say—

I thought I'd like a turkey to eat on Chris'mus day.

by James Weldon Johnson

A Mid-Day Dreamer

I love to sit alone, and dream,

And dream, and dream;

In fancy's boat to softly glide

Along some stream

Where fairy palaces of gold

And crystal bright

Stand all along the glistening shore:

A wondrous sight.

by James Weldon Johnson

Ma Lady's Lips Am Like De Honey

(Negro Love Song)

Breeze a-sighin' and a-blowin',

Southern summer night.

Stars a-gleamin' and a-glowin',

Moon jes shinin' right.

Strollin', like all lovers do,

Down de lane wid Lindy Lou;

by James Weldon Johnson

O Black And Unknown Bards

O black and unknown bards of long ago,

How came your lips to touch the sacred fire?

How, in your darkness, did you come to know

The power and beauty of the minstrel's lyre?

Who first from midst his bonds lifted his eyes?

Who first from out the still watch, lone and long,

Feeling the ancient faith of prophets rise

Within his dark-kept soul, burst into song?

by James Weldon Johnson

Brothers

See! There he stands; not brave, but with an air

Of sullen stupor. Mark him well! Is he

Not more like brute than man? Look in his eye!

No light is there; none, save the glint that shines

In the now glaring, and now shifting orbs

Of some wild animal caught in the hunter's trap.

How came this beast in human shape and form?

Speak, man! — We call you man because you wear

by James Weldon Johnson

O Southland!

O Southland! O Southland!

Have you not heard the call,

The trumpet blown, the word made known

To the nations, one and all?

The watchword, the hope-word,

Salvation's present plan?

A gospel new, for all-for you

Man shall be saved by man.

by James Weldon Johnson

Mother Night

Eternities before the first-born day,

Or ere the first sun fledged his wings of flame,

Calm Night, the everlasting and the same,

A brooding mother over chaos lay.

And whirling suns shall blaze and then decay,

Shall run their fiery courses and then claim

The haven of the darkness whence they came;

Back to Nirvanic peace shall grope their way.

by James Weldon Johnson

To America

How would you have us, as we are?

Or sinking 'neath the load we bear?

Our eyes fixed forward on a star?

Or gazing empty at despair?

Rising or falling? Men or things?

With dragging pace or footsteps fleet?

Strong, willing sinews in your wings?

Or tightening chains about your feet?

by James Weldon Johnson

Listen Lord A Prayer

O Lord, we come this morning

Knee-bowed and body-bent

Before Thy throne of grace.

O Lord--this morning--

Bow our hearts beneath our knees,

And our knees in some lonesome valley.

We come this morning--

Like empty pitchers to a full fountain,

by James Weldon Johnson

Sleep

O Sleep, thou kindest minister to man,

Silent distiller of the balm of rest,

How wonderful thy power, when naught else can,

To soothe the torn and sorrow-laden breast!

When bleeding hearts no comforter can find,

When burdened souls droop under weight of woe,

When thought is torture to the troubled mind,

When grief-relieving tears refuse to flow;

by James Weldon Johnson

Beauty that Is Never Old

When buffeted and beaten by life's storms,

When by the bitter cares of life oppressed,

I want no surer haven than your arms,

I want no sweeter heaven than your breast.

When over my life's way there falls the blight

Of sunless days, and nights of starless skies;

Enough for me, the calm and steadfast light

That softly shines within your loving eyes.

by James Weldon Johnson

Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing

Lift ev'ry voice and sing,

Till earth and heaven ring,

Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;

Let our rejoicing rise

High as the list'ning skies,

Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,

Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;

by James Weldon Johnson