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Life is Fine by Langston Hughes
Listen to the poet himself recite "Life is Fine."
I went down to the river, I sat down on the bank. I tried to think but couldn't, So I jumped in and sank. I came up once and hollered! I came up twice and cried! If that water hadn't been so cold I might've sunk and died. But it was Cold in that water! It was cold!
I took the elevator Sixteen floors above the ground. I thought about my baby And thought I would jump down. I stood there and I hollered! I stood there and I cried! If it hadn't been so high I might've jumped and died. But it was High up there! It was high!
So since I'm still here living I guess I will live on. I could've died for love-- But for living I was born. Though you may hear me holler, And you may see me cry-- I'll be dogged sweet baby If you're gonna see me die. Life is fine! Fine as wine! Life is fine!
... Langston Hughes Audio ...a river bank
