Langston Hughes, "Gypsy Man" (1927)
Ma man's a gypsy
Cause he never does come home.
Ma man's a gypsy, –
He never does come home.
I'm gonna be a gypsy woman
Fer I can't stay here alone.
Once I was in Memphis,
I mean Tennessee.
Once I was in Memphis,
Said Tennessee.
But I had to leave cause
Nobody there was good to me.
I met a yellow papa,
He took ma last thin dime.
Met a yellow papa,
He took ma last thin dime.
I give it to him cause I loved him
But I'll have mo' sense next time.
Love, Oh, love is
Such a strange disease.
Love, Oh, love is
Such a strange disease.
When it hurts yo' heart you
Sho can't find no ease.
Published in Fine Clothes to the Jew (1927)