Tell me of Countee Cullen

how he lived and died

Tell me about Langston Hughes

and that terrible pain inside.

Let me hear Marion Anderson sing to Mr. Lincoln,

soothing his restless spirit with that contralto voice.

And how's Scott Joplin and his troubled bride, Treemonisha?

Still paralyzed by green pieces of paper

and sweet drink.

Oh, sometimes it makes me tremble...

Let me meet Mr. King

in a Birmingham Jail;

Let's sit by Mrs. Parks

and ride home with the Freedom riders.