I went down to the river, I sat 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 the water!
It was cold!
I took the elevator, Sixteen floor above the ground.
I thought about my baby- and thought I would jump down.
I stood here and I hollered! I stood there and I cried!
If it hadn’t a-been so high might’ve jumped and died.
But it was
High up there!
It was high!
So since I’m still here living, 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 my cry—
I’ll be dogged, sweet baby, If you gonna see me die.
Life is fine! Fine as wine!
Life is fine!
LANDSTON HUGHES
Elevator : lift
Dogged : followed
