Negro

I am a Negro Black as the night is black, Black like the depths of my AfricaI’ve been a slave Caesar told me to keep his door-steps clean I brushed the boots of Washington I’ve been a worker Under my hand the pyramids arose I made mortar for the Woolworth Building I’ve been a singer All the way from Africa to Georgia I carried my sorrow songs I made ragtime I’ve been a victim The Belgians cut off my hands in the Congo They lynch me still in Mississippi I am a Negro Black as the night is black, Black like the depths of my Africa