“Ballad of Roosevelt” by Langston Hughes, 1934

Langston Hughes was a composer, poet, playwright, author, journalist and all around giant of the Harlem Renaissance.  He wrote about the world around him, capturing the events and sentiments that affected both America and the African American population.  The jazz-influenced “Ballad of Roosevelt,” appeared in the New Republic in 1934, one year into Roosevelt’s presidency. 

The pot was empty,

The cupboard was bare.

I said, Papa,  

What’s the matter here? 

I’m waitin’ on Roosevelt, son, 

Roosevelt, Roosevelt,

Waitin’ on Roosevelt, son. 

The rent was due,

And the lights was out. 

I said, Tell me, Mama,

What’s it all about?

We’re waitin’ on Roosevelt, son,

Roosevelt, Roosevelt,

Just waitin’ on Roosevelt.

Sister got sick

And the doctor wouldn’t come

Cause we couldn’t pay him

The proper sum—

A-waitin on Roosevelt, 

Roosevelt, Roosevelt, 

A-waitin’ on Roosevelt. 

Then one day 

They put us out o’ the house. 

Ma and Pa was Meek as a mouse 

Still waitin’ on Roosevelt, 

Roosevelt, Roosevelt. 

But when they felt those 

Cold winds blow 

And didn’t have no 

Place to go 

Pa said, I’m tired 

O’waitin’ on Roosevelt, 

Roosevelt, Roosevelt. 

Damn tired o’ waitin’ on Roosevelt. 

I can’t git a job 

And I can’t git no grub. 

Backbone and navel’s 

Doin’ the belly-rub— 

A-waitin’ on Roosevelt, 

Roosevelt, Roosevelt.

And a lot o’ other folks What’s hungry and cold 

Done stopped believin’ 

What they been told 

By Roosevelt, 

Roosevelt, Roosevelt— 

Cause the pot’s still empty, 

And the cupboard’s still bare, 

And you can’t build a 

bungalow 

Out o’ air— 

Mr. Roosevelt, listen! 

What’s the matter here?
Source: Langston Hughes, “Ballad of Roosevelt,” New Republic 31 (November 14, 1934): 9. Document 5.11.2