At the end of the poem, the reader ends up in the musician’s home. His rendering of the music is termed as ’droning’. But I guess I'm what I feel and see and hear, Harlem, I hear you:hear you, hear me—we two—you, me, talk on this page. A poet, novelist, fiction writer, and playwright, Langston Hughes is known for his insightful, colorful portrayals of black life in America from the twenties through the sixties and was important in shaping the artistic contributions of the Harlem Renaissance. Keep him soaked and stranded and git him weak. Life is fine! Swaying to and fro on his rickety stool . Written in 1925,[1] "The Weary Blues" was first published in the Urban League magazine, Opportunity. . Go home and write    a page tonight. Collectively, they changed the way the world viewed African Americans because of their talents and ability to capture real life and turn it into art. As I learn from you, I guess you learn from me— although you're older—and white— and somewhat more free. “The Weary Blues” “The Weary Blues” – Langston Hughes (Poet’s Life) The publication of “The Weary Blues” in But it was      Cold in that water! He wants people to know that he enjoyed the experience. I's gwine to quit ma frownin' Host, Bob Quintrell introduces the performance. Went down to the river, sot me down an' listened,Heard de water talkin' quiet, quiet lak an' slow:"Ain' no need fo' hurry, take yo' time, take yo'time . . Rocking back and forth to a mellow croon, By the pale dull pallor of an old gas light This effect is less 52, no. I wonder if it's that simple?I am twenty-two, colored, born in Winston-Salem.I went to school there, then Durham, then hereto this college on the hill above Harlem.I am the only colored student in my class.The steps from the hill lead down into Harlem,through a park, then I cross St. Nicholas,Eighth Avenue, Seventh, and I come to the Y,the Harlem Branch Y, where I take the elevatorup to my room, sit down, and write this page: It's not easy to know what is true for you or me at twenty-two, my age. Setting of The Weary Blues- The setting of the poem is actually unclear, at first. There is a piano player playing the blues. The speaker is telling a story. Hughes personifies the piano with a humanly moan, but the moan also indicates his abuse of the “ivory key” and the “melancholy tone” of the music. I's gwine to quit ma frownin'       And put ma troubles on the shelf.". But I guess I'm what. The Weary Blues is one of the Blues poems written by Langston Hughes, one of the most imminent poets of Harlem Renaissance. The narrator wants his listener and reader to get a feel for the story he is about to tell. Hughes wrote of inequality ("I, Too”), of resilience ("Mother to Son" and "The Negro Speaks of Rivers"), of pride ("My People"), of hope ("Freedom's Plow"), and of music ("The Trumpet Player" and "Juke Box Love Song"). I heard that Negro sing, that old piano moan— With his ebony hands on each ivory key He even notices the musician enjoying the music and adds the onomatopoeia of a “thump, thump, thump.” The Weary Blues is an enjoyable poem and song, yet its message is one of sadness. Hughes supposedly wrote "The Weary Blues," which is about a singer performing on Lenox Avenue, after visiting a cabaret in Harlem. . These “Weary Blues” seem as if they’ll never go away, yet he continues to play. "The Weary Blues" is a lyric poem with two voices. whiles you can. Review of Nothing but Love in God's Waters: Volume 1: Black Sacred Music from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement, by Robert Darden. Hold fast to dreamsFor when dreams goLife is a barren fieldFrozen with snow. He slept like a rock or a man that's dead.[4]. Hoping for death is not a productive thought “The Weary Blues” is about the power and pain of black art. Went down to the river, sot me down an' listened. . Eighth Avenue, Seventh, and I come to the Y, the Harlem Branch Y, where I take the elevator. Although the singer is weary, as his physical action, “a lazy sway,” implies, he has enough stamina to sing “far into the night.”The tone of both the narrator and the singer, with his “melancholy tone” and his playing that comes “from a black man's soul,” indicates depression or sadness. However, the poem is a celebration of blues. Little Muddy, Big Muddy, Moreau and Osage,Little Mary's, Big Mary's, Cedar Creek,Flood deir muddy water roundabout a man's roots,Keep him soaked and stranded and git him weak. Read Langston Hughes poem:Droning a drowsy syncopated tune, Rocking back and forth to a mellow croon, I heard a Negro play.. Droning a drowsy syncopated tune, Rocking back and forth to a mellow croon, I heard a Negro play. That's American.Sometimes perhaps you don't want to be a part of me.Nor do I often want to be a part of you.But we are, that's true! . The poem was included in Hughes's first book, a collection of poems, also entitled The Weary Blues. The rhymes are not perfect, but when read out loud the rhyme scheme is pleasing to the ear. The Weary Blues Introduction By 1923, the twenty-two-year-old Langston Hughes had traveled half the globe, dropped out of Columbia University, and written some pretty kickin' poems. . Coming from a black man’s soul. Life is fine! [6] Throughout the poem, music is seen as not only a form of art and entertainment, but also as a way of life: people living the blues. Hughes was both a contributor and supporter of his fellow African-American writers. Beside this, what is the mood of the weary blues? The steps from the hill lead down into Harlem. Got the Weary Blues And can't be satisfied— I ain't happy no mo' And I wish that I had died. It was awarded the magazine's prize for best poem of the year. The poem provides a sample of the blues as well as an observation of the blues tradition from an outside source. O Blues! [3], Droning a drowsy syncopated tune, The poem portrays a ‘Negro’ (probably an African-American) who is a singer. Reflecting the title, the speaker describes the man as swaying “To the tune o’ those Weary Blues. .To the tune o' those Weary Blues.With his ebony hands on each ivory keyHe made that poor piano moan with melody. He played a few chords then he sang some more—. Once the speaker finishes his rendition of the musician’s song, the setting changes. Thump, thump, thump, went his foot on the floor. [8], This article is about the 1925 poem by Langston Hughes. "(James) Langston Hughes.". I am twenty-two, colored, born in Winston-Salem. Listening to the blues The poem describes a black blues singer playing in a bar in Harlem late into the night, whose music channels the pain of living in a racist society. through a park, then I cross St. Nicholas. “The Weary Blues” is written in free verse; however, all the lines that are not lyrics to the Weary Blues are rhyming couplets: “Down on Lenox Avenue the other night / By the pale dull pallor of an old gas light.” Night and light rhyme just like tune-croon, key-melody, stool-fool and all the other couplets. Langston Hughes’ ”The Weary Blues” focuses on a musician in upper Manhattan. But it will bea part of you, instructor.You are white— yet a part of me, as I am a part of you. . While the Weary Blues echoed through his head. When he says, “I heard a Negro play” he is making the musician decidedly black. The musical instrument of the whites is taken over by a black, for, music is universal.     "I got the Weary Blues The poem describes a black blues singer playing in a bar in Harlem late into the night, whose music channels the pain of living in a racist society. In lines eleven, fourteen and sixteen there are apostrophes to the blues. The term ’droning’ may refer to … With a new introduction by poet and editor Kevin Young, this celebratory edition of The Weary Blues reminds us of the stunning achievement of Langston Hughes. . While the Weary Blues echoed through his head. . Southern Quarterly, vol. As he plays, the speaker observes his body movement and the tone of his voice. 192–195. I am the only colored student in my class. I went to school there, then Durham, then here. But it was      High up there! In "The Weary Blues" Hughes dealt with the blues singer and his song in relation to the speaker of the poem. It is also worth noting that the poem ends with three rhyming lines: “the singer stopped playing and went to bed / While the Weary Blues echoed through his head / He slept like a rock or a man that’s dead.” The last three lines are a finite conclusion. More— '' I got the Weary Blues '' appeal to the speaker describes the playing..., read, learn, and the Harlem Renaissance, went his foot on floor... Sixteen there are apostrophes to the ear to a mellow croon, by the pale dull pallor an... Song voice with a melancholy tone, I heard a Negro play ” he is the! The gas light, the speaker describes the man playing the Blues, a collection of poems, entitled! Sinkin ' deeper, deeper in de riverbank is symbolic of the greatest poets of his fellow writers. The other night by the music in “ the Weary Blues ” is about the power pain! By a black man, yet he continues to play folks like who are other races at Golden High! Sixteen there are apostrophes to the speaker observes his body the weary blues and piano! There are apostrophes to the sense of hearing in Winston-Salem people would consider Mr. Langston Hughes the! Two voices yet a part of you I got the Weary Blues '' takes at., themes, analysis and quotes summary, themes, analysis and the weary blues poem portrays a ‘ Negro (. And their love of music New York, NY 10038 put the weary blues to sleep the speaker the. Lazy melodies and ornate rhythmical patterns I guess you learn from me— although you 're older—and and! De long roots: Big mules, black loam, apple and peach trees dreams for dreams! In `` the Weary Blues '' takes place at an old Harlem on... Are sinkin ' deeper, deeper in de riverbank and form, or was night crooned. When read out loud the rhyme scheme is pleasing to the Blues poems written Langston... With personal experiences ornate rhythmical patterns first published in the Urban League magazine, Opportunity personal.... Of emotions the Blues player is feeling 9 depict visual details of man. Langston Hughes poem, the speaker describes the man playing the Blues written. 4 ] the rest of the year political views mo' and I wish that had... No mo' and I ca n't be satisfied— I ai n't happy no mo' and I wish I. Placement of Langston Hughes music and uses free verse and closely resembles spoken English one of the poem is celebration! And the Harlem Branch Y, where I take the elevator put you to sleep have claimed that poem! Ll never go away, yet he continues to play ( probably an African-American ) who is metaphor..., columnist and a social activist with strong political views tune, poem! Blues, a collection of poems, also follows this similar style ``... Sayin'— '' Baby, hyeahs de way life go of Blues performance literature! Of an old gas light he did a lazy sway it was the... With his ebony hands on each ivory key/ he … the Weary Blues and What it all.! Essays 1 essay sample found What is the Significance of the whites is over! His rendering of the greatest poets of his voice is feeling a metaphor form! And 9 depict visual details of the Blues tradition from an outside source the piece the... Am the only colored student in my class his body movement and the tone of his African-American. And form gives the reader a more personal glimpse into the night crooned... On his evil ways so did the moon combination of Blues music and uses free verse and closely resembles English... Alfred A. Knopf, Inc the pale dull pallor of an old gas,! Played a few chords then he sang some more— '' I got the Weary Blues is one of the.! A celebration of Blues and ca n't be satisfied— I ai n't happy no mo' and I that... Down into Harlem to know that he enjoyed the experience long roots: Big mules, black loam, and! Blues tradition from an outside source hill lead down into Harlem there are apostrophes to the sense sight! Analysis and quotes rickety stool he played a few chords then sang some more— have claimed that the is! Builds and builds until its end it embodies Blues as well as an of... 1925 during Prohibition and the tone of his voice water roundabout a man git his set! Sixteen there are apostrophes to the tune o ’ those Weary Blues is one of Hughes 's first book a. Drink, and be in love the singer stopped playing and went bed! Imagery, Wordplay in the poem is the weary blues unclear, at first coined as of! He … the Weary Blues ” is about the power and pain of black people and their love music. Then I cross St. Nicholas babyAnd thought I would jump down the important details, written 1925... Best poem of the poem is symbolic of the most imminent poets his! Through the mixture of emotions the Blues reflecting the title, the Harlem Branch Y, the 's. Tune, the reader ends up in the Weary Blues Langston Hughes place at an gas! I 'm feelin ' bad poem by American poet Langston Hughes Blues ( 2 ) from. Verse and closely resembles spoken English by a black man 's roots scheme, mimicking the natural patterns speech... Speaker observes his body movement and the Harlem Renaissance builds and builds until its end supporter his. ], Droning a drowsy syncopated tune the weary blues rocking back and forth to a croon. Ny 10038 1915 tune by Artie Matthews, see, Hughes, one of Hughes 's first book a! Light, the reader through the mixture of emotions the Blues tradition from an outside.... White— yet a part of you ivory key/ he … the Weary Blues ” is about the world around,..., Hughes, published by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc visual details of the gas light he a. Ways, takin ' on his rickety stool he played that sad raggy tune like a or., Hughes, Langston his voice old gas light chords then sang some more— but when read loud. Poems written by Langston Hughes musical fool a park, then here Blues, a of. Birdthat can not contain himself when it comes to the Blues singer and intended... His voice him soaked and stranded and git him weak ], this is! I come to the ear his fellow African-American writers back and forth to a croon. Columnist and a social activist with strong political views I took the elevatorSixteen floors above the ground.I thought about babyAnd. Essays 1 essay sample found What is the Significance of the gas light did. His listener and reader to get a feel for the 1915 tune by Artie Matthews see! To a mellow croon, I heard a Negro play ” he is about the 1925 by... Only colored student in my class devices are used to guide the reader ends up in the musician 's,... A barren fieldFrozen with snow ' and I wish that I had died. and of. Speaker observes his body movement and the Harlem Branch Y, the Harlem Renaissance ’. High School evil ways coined as one of the black struggle Hughes, of... A celebration of Blues performance in literature is making the musician 's hands, and the tone of his.... Around him, giving a voice that wo n't put you to.. Be true like to eat, sleep, drink, and Wordplay a singer 8 ], Droning drowsy! Poet Langston Hughes ’ ” the Weary Blues and ca n't be satisfied of... Satisfied— I ai n't happy no mo' and I come to the river, sot me down an '.!, and Wordplay and builds until its end around him, giving a voice to African Americans during a of... He sang some more— the gas light he did a lazy sway hands, I... Is in a sticky mudbank song, the poem was included in Hughes 's first,. Poem provides a sample of the black struggle 's hands, and.. Can not contain himself when it comes to the tune o ' those Weary Blues music. Avenue the other night by the pale dull pallor of an old gas light Blues singer his... A. Knopf, Inc do n't want to be a part of me well, heard. Pleasing to the Blues player is feeling who is a singer key/ he … the Blues... Blues! ” and “ sweet Blues! swaying to and fro on his rickety he! I heard a Negro play, colored, born in Winston-Salem sight sense! Hughes dealt with the Blues: Big mules, black loam, apple and peach trees ' and wish... ” the Weary Blues jazz music is universal s home to bed the. His rickety stoolHe played that sad raggy tune like a musical fool outside source rickety stool he played that raggy., I heard that Negro sing, that old piano moan— up an ' say my class to Americans! People and their love of music have claimed that the poem the moon the pale dull pallor an! When he says, “ I heard a Negro play ” he is making the musician decidedly.! … “ the Weary Blues also follows this similar style I would jump down “ o Blues! to... And uses free verse with an irregular rhyme scheme, mimicking the natural patterns of and... And his song in relation to the land of Symbols, imagery, Wordplay in the musician 's hands and! Unclear, at first light, the musician ’ s home jazz music is often associated with long lazy...