BY LANGSTON HUGHES
I don't mind dying --
But I'd hate to die all alone!
I want a dozen pretty women
To holler, cry, and moan.
I don't mind dying
But I want my funeral to be fine:
A row of long tall mamas
Fainting, Fanning, and crying.
I want a fish-tail hearse
And sixteen fish-tail cars,
A big brass band
And a whole truck load of flowers.
When they let me down,
Down into the clay,
I want the women to holler:
Please don't take him away!
Ow-ooo-oo-o!
Don't take daddy away!