Lincoln Theatre

The head of Lincoln looks down from the wall 
While movies echo dramas on the screen. 
The head of Lincoln is serenely tall
Above a crowd of black folk, humble, mean, 
The movies end. The lights flash gaily on. 
The band down in the pit bursts into jazz. 
The crowd applauds a plump brown-skin bleached blonde
Who sings the troubles every woman has.
She snaps her fingers, slowly shakes her hips, 
And cries, all careless-like from reddened lips! 
  De man I loves has
  Gone and done me wrong.
While girls who wash rich white folks clothes by day 
And sleek-haired boys who deal in love for pay 
Press hands together, laughing at her song.