Jazz Poems

PARKER’S MOOD

Come with me,

If you want to go to Kansas City.

I’m feeling lowdown and blue,

My heart’s full of sorrow.

Don’t hardly know what to do.

Where will I be tomorrow?

Going to Kansas City.

Want to go too?

No, you can’t make it with me.

Going to Kansas City,

Sorry that I can’t take you.

When you see me coming,

Raise your window high.

When you see me leaving, baby,

Hang your head and cry.

I’m afraid there’s nothing in the cream, this dreamy town

A hinky-tonky monkey-woman can do

She’d only bring herself down.

So long everybody!

The time has come

And I must leave you

So if I don’t ever see your smiling face again:

Make apromise you’ll remember

Like a Christmas Day in December

That I told you

All through thick and thin

>On up until the end

Parker’s been your friend.

Don’t hang your head

When you see, when you see those six pretty horses pulling me

Put a twenty dollar silver-piece on my watchchain,

Look at the smile on my face,

And sing a little song

To let the world know I’m really free.

Don’t cry for me

‘Cause I’m going to Kansas City.

Come with me,

If you want to go to Kansas City.

KING PLEASURE (CLARENCE BEEKS)

from Jazz Poems ~ Selected and Edited by Kevin Young

More Posts: book,classic,collectible,history,jazz,library,poet