A Song In The Front Yard
I’ve stayed in the front yard all my life.
I want a peek at the back
Where it’s rough and untended and hungry weed grows.
A girl gets sick of a rose.
I want to go in the back yard now
And maybe down the alley,
To where the charity children play.
I want a good time today.
They do some wonderful things.
They have some wonderful fun.
My mother sneers, but I say it’s fine
How they don’t have to go in at quarter to nine.
My mother, she tells me that Johnnie Mae
Will grow up to be a bad woman.
That George’ll be taken to Jail soon or late
(On account of last winter he sold our back gate).
But I say it’s fine. Honest, I do.
And I’d like to be a bad woman, too,
And wear the brave stockings of night-black lace
And strut down the streets with paint on my face.
poem by Gwendolyn Brooks
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Related quotes
The Day Of Sunshine
It was such a lovely sunshine-day,
The house and the yard couldn't hold me;
I roved to the woods, on my back I lay,
In cradle of fancy rolled me;
But there were ants, and gnats that bite,
The horse-fly was keen, the wasp showed fight.
'Dear me, don't you want to be out in this fine
weather?' -said mother, who sat on the steps and sang.
It was such a lovely sunshine-day,
The house and the yard couldn't hold me;
A meadow I found, on my back I lay,
And sang what my spirit told me;
Then snakes came crawling, a fathom long,
To bask in the sun,-I fled with my song.
'In such blessed weather we can go barefoot,'-said mother,
as she pulled off her stockings.
It was such a lovely sunshine-day,
The house and the yard couldn't hold me;
I loosened a boat, on my back I lay,
While blithely the current bowled me;
But hot grew the sun, and peeled my nose;
Enough was enough, and to land I chose.
'Now these are just the days to make hay in,'- said mother,
as she stuck the rake in it.
It was such a lovely sunshine-day,
The house and the yard couldn't hold me;
I climbed up a tree, oh, what bliss to play,
As cooling the breeze consoled me;
But worms soon fell on my neck, by chance,
And jumping, I cried: ''T is the Devil's own dance!'
'Yes, if the cows aren't sleek and shiny to-day, they'll
never be so,'-said mother, gazing up the hillside.
It was such a lovely sunshine-day,
The house and the yard couldn't hold me;
I dashed to the waterfall's endless play,
There only could peace enfold me.
The shining sun saw me drown and die,-
If you made this ditty, 't was surely not I.
'Three more such sunshine-days, and everything will
be in,'-said mother, and went to make my bed.
poem by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Gasoline Alley Bred
Woman, get your head out of curlers.
Time get your butt out of bed.
Get down your hats and baggage, my child.
Going back home,
going back to the homestead.
I'm a-gonna heat me some water,
and put a shine upon my shoes.
Telephone my ma,
Keep the room above Joe's
'Cause we're coming back,
coming back to the homestead.
Everything is packed,
getting back to the homestead.
This time, this time we'll stay.
I know that we could have made it;
we had ideas in our heads.
And I wish somehow
we could have saved it
but we're Gasoline Alley bred.
Yet the years haven't really been wasted,
and I know it in my head.
We did good for the life that we've tasted
'cause we're Gasoline Alley, Gasoline Alley bred
Woman, you can really believe it,
I did everything a man could do.
Breaking my back just to make us a dime.
That won't mean a damn
when no one wants to know you.
Woman, I know how you're feeling.
I've seen the hurt upon your face.
How many time do you think that I've cried?
Knowing every day that your heart was getting broken,
holdin' back your pride til you were nearly chokin'
Oh let's get away.
chorus
Gasoline Alley, Gasoline Alley Bred
Gasoline Alley, Gasoline Alley Bred
Gasoline Alley, Gasoline Alley Bred
Gasoline Alley, Gasoline Alley Bred
song performed by by Hollies
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
A Day Of Sunshine
It was such a lovely sunshine-day,
The house and the yard couldn't hold me;
I roved to the woods, on my back I lay,
In cradle of fancy rolled me;
But there were ants, and gnats that bite,
The horse-fly was keen, the wasp showed fight.
"Dear me, don't you want to be out in this fine
weather?" --said mother, who sat on the steps and sang.
It was such a lovely sunshine-day,
The house and the yard couldn't hold me;
A meadow I found, on my back I lay,
And sang what my spirit told me;
Then snakes came crawling, a fathom long,
To bask in the sun,--I fled with my song.
"In such blessed weather we can go barefoot,"--said mother,
as she pulled off her stockings.
It was such a lovely sunshine-day,
The house and the yard couldn't hold me;
I loosened a boat, on my back I lay,
While blithely the current bowled me;
But hot grew the sun, and peeled my nose;
Enough was enough, and to land I chose.
"Now these are just the days to make hay in,"-- said mother,
as she stuck the rake in it.
It was such a lovely sunshine-day,
The house and the yard couldn't hold me;
I climbed up a tree, oh, what bliss to play,
As cooling the breeze consoled me;
But worms soon fell on my neck, by chance,
And jumping, I cried: "'T is the Devil's own dance!"
"Yes, if the cows aren't sleek and shiny to-day, they'll
never be so,"--said mother, gazing up the hillside.
It was such a lovely sunshine-day,
The house and the yard couldn't hold me;
I dashed to the waterfall's endless play,
There only could peace enfold me.
The shining sun saw me drown and die,--
If you made this ditty, 't was surely not I.
"Three more such sunshine-days, and everything will
be in,"--said mother, and went to make my bed.
poem by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Introducing... Me!
I am the woman who was the girl who thought she was alone.
The same girl that pretended to be the life of our group to stay on top.
The girl who was everyone's friend even though I did not like myself very much.
I was the girl who thought that love only came in one form.
So I used it to my advantage and ended up scorned.
I was the girl that found herself in trouble too deep to be fished out.
I was the girl who grew up too fast with no way out.
I had to grow, so that I might learn to be the mother I needed to be.
I was the girl who was a child-mother with only my own mother there for me.
The girl who was afraid to pout who had to be always brave.
The girl who felt as if I never got but only gave.
I was the girl who made all her own choices and stood up to take responsibility.
I was the girl who told the world how dare you judge her because of me.
Now I am the woman who, will fight the very devil for my childrens lives.
I fought him for two of my babies and won, my fourth in God's arms lay.
I am the woman who will stand up and shout for what I believe.
The woman who learned the hard way there is no reprieve.
I am the woman who finally learned how to love herself.
And in doing so found true love at last.
I am the woman who is the life of the party now.
The woman that has few real friends, but they matter more then they did then.
I am the woman who can cry and know it will be alright.
I am the woman who can say,
I am beautiful today.
If not for one woman who was there to help show me how.
I would not be the woman standing here now.
My Mother is the woman in me who I long to be.
My Mother is the woman I emmulate and hope my girls will come to be like.
She is stronger then Breast Cancer. Stronger then Divorce.
Stronger then all the trials I put her through.
If she were not here today what would I do?
poem by Lydie Mathers
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
A Mother
A mother is the one who nurtures you……
She’s there when you need a shoulder to cry on ……
You can talk to her when and where ever you feel like……
I’ m proud to have a mother that has all of these qualities……
A mother is there to teach you right from wrong……
A mother loves you no matter what you do……
She has your back……
She trusts your decisions one hundred percent because she knows that she has raised you right…………
A mother is a special friend, you can tell her all of your secrets……
That’s why I am proud to call Diane Eley this wonderful, intelligent woman my mother……
Dedicated to the most wonderful mother: Diane Eley
poem by Hydia Hollins
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Louie Armstrong (What A Wonderful World) A Dedication!
He lived before my time
His voice unique
His songs so sweet
He was a legend of his time
But by far my favorite of all
Was ‘What a wonderful World'
Everything was so pretty back then
The air we breathe
The stars at night
The new dawn and sunsets of old
‘And I think to myself'
What a wonderful world
Everything was so breathtaking back then
The mountains high
The river deep
The endless waves of time
‘And I think to myself'
What a wonderful world
Everything so innocent back then
A cry of a new born child
The laughter of children in a playground
The sigh of lovers walking hand in hand in a park
‘And I think to myself'
What a wonderful world
The essences of being just you and me
Hugs of a mother
Stern words of a father
Fond farewell kiss to a friend or family
The merriment of laughter as we joke with family and friends
Fond memories stir in my mind
As I think to myself what a wonderful world
(OMG I had neil and not louie..ops sorry)
poem by Kaila George
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Johnnie Comes Back
All last week and half of today
Johnnie has been a good little girl
Trying to keep her devils at bay
Watching her health return
But she always comes back for more
Hanging her head and banging my door
Johnnie comes back again
(chorus)
I said, johnnie remember
Oh johnnie be good
Please give me some medicine man
Oh johnnie comes back again
Whered she get that tear in her eye
Whoever said she could leave me
Whered she learn to say good-bye
Shes been watching too much t.v.
She only shows up for meals
My medicine chest and my automobiles
Johnnie comes back again
- chorus -
Me Im just an evil demon
Im playing on her weakness
Counting on her sickness
To bring her home again
To use me up and to rob me blind
I guess it shouldnt surprise me
Fighting and flashing like a fish on a line
My god, she must despise me
But she always comes back again
Now it wont be long til shes gone again
Johnnie comes back again
- chorus -
song performed by by James Taylor
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Love Story
Partly owned to her house
Wooden white picket fence
Mother waits for father
In a backless dress
Hardly used a diaphram
Put back into the case
A one way trip down memory lane
As she awaits
I dont wanna know
Cheat me
I dont wanna know
Children play in the yard
Mother stares at a wall
Father says hes gonna be back late
So dont wait up
About a quarter to 3
Father stares at a wall
Stained thicker than water
Whos gonna clean it up
song performed by by NOFX
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Wonderful
These are the days I love,
And Ill be happier than most
Crossing england coast to coast,
Through your town,
And as I cross the land
And I cry a salty tear,
For those who are not here
On this day
Youre wonderful
So wonderful,
Its good to see you
Youre wonderful
So wonderful,
Its great to be here.
And as I think back when
Life was uncomplicated then
We had some things we hated
But more that we loved
And we took care to wear
What nobody else would wear
Cos we didnt really care
In those days
Youre wonderful
So wonderful,
Its good to see you
Youre wonderful
So wonderful,
Its great to be here.
song performed by by Madness
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
A Soldier's Will
The soldiers march on in the alley
I have to join to the army
Mother, this is my last voice
Sorry, i had no choice
Mother, the hatred is bare
Can't you see them, they are there
Mother, don't cry, i won't die
We will be together, you and I
Mother, the soldiers are the real fighters
Not the politicians, they don't even come to the yard
Without their bodyguards
Mother, when i will be back, open your arms and warm me with your feelings
And forgive me
For all i will have done
For all i will have killed
For all i will have seen
poem by Nader Baheri
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Happiness
Verse one:
Yo, its a beautiful day, and everybodys feelin wonderful
The ladies is out, lookin fly, dressed comfortable
I love to wake up, and feel the breeze through my window
Slip on a fatigues, grab a dutch and roll some indo
It be days like these, that make life so much easier
Fish thawin out, guinness stout in the freezer
Walk the block at my leisure (my leisure)
Summertime is like a anesthesia
So many pretty things to please ya
The greenery
Beautiful birds, natural scenery
Or even just a infinite sky
We be forever puffin lah
On the block, or tellin jokes in the ride (ha ha ha)
When the weather be hot, everybody be outside (whut)
Havin fun (aight? ), eatin fresh fruits and vegetables
And good food put me in the mood for a festival
Some say the summer make a woman more sexual (sup, boo)
Its instinct -- thats why my game be right on schedule
I put the great mother nature on a pedestal
She always fly, but today, shes exceptional
If I had a chance to make a wish
Every day would be just like this, full of happiness
Chorus:
I feel great
Even though we got mad things to deal with
Happiness is all in the mind
Lets unwind, and find a reason to smile
Im just glad to be livin
Feelin fine
Leavin my bad times behind
Feels great
And no, we cant escape from the realness
Happiness is all in the mind
Lets unwind, and find a reason to smile
Im just glad to be alive
Feelin fine
Livin life one day at a time
Feelin great
Yeah, knawmsayin?
I just wanna give a shout out
To everybody who got a birthday today
Happiness (happiness)
Verse 2
Have you ever heard the children play?
Sometime, I feel the same way, roll up a j, and get away
Put some food on the grill
And just chill
Maybe build with my elders (uh)
Never know the things they could tell ya
Learnin why the caged bird sings (why it do that? )
cuz its the vital things you know that separate the men from the kings
The flowers that bloom and the sun (uh)
And everybody singin the tune, cuz its time to have fun
We out, rollerbladin (uh, uh), a day where no one coulda stayed inside
Wash the car, now its time to take a ride
Me and my crew hangin out, all night to sunrise
Celebration of life, cuz every day is a surprise
Think of the rich countryside on the land of jamaica
Mountains, springs and green acres
Or any other place in the world your mind takes you
Its the good times in life that everybody can relate to (uh)
And you can leave your troubles behind
And have a wonderful time
Lay back and just ease your mind (whut)
You can leave your troubles behind
And have a wonderful time
Lay back and just ease your mind
Chorus
song performed by by Dead Prez
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Woman Machine
She'll do your work in half the time
Never sick and can't go blind
Oh, woman machine
Brains of tape that fill her head
She knows more now than all the dead
Oh, woman machine
Oh, woman machine
Oh, woman machine
Oh, woman machine
Oh, woman machine
Heart of steel and skin that's cold
Can't wear her out, she can't grow old
Oh, woman machine
She goes to bed when her work is through
She'll do it all, just change the tubes
Oh, woman machine
Oh, woman machine
Oh, woman machine
Oh, woman machine
Oh, woman machine-ine
Oh, woman machine
Oh, woman machine
Oh, woman machine
Oh, woman
She can't talk back
With no playback
But she'll listen
To all your woe
Trade your old one
For a new one
They just don't make 'em like they used to
No!
Oh, woman machine
Oh, woman machine
Oh, woman machine
Oh, woman machine
''...exceeds one million when the stop button is pressed,
the... has results PCR621, into the drayer reading pool
to hold the relay on for one quarter second after the
Q603 deenergizes. Therefore, the time delay occurs only
when the stop button is pressed, during the record nine.
The sole function of the capacitor c620 is to maintain
charge in
song performed by by Alice Cooper
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Buried Between two Trees
Back home again
in the yard
I used to play in
So many memories here
of days long ago
for memories, I hold dear
Saw the grave of old shep
the dog I loved so
in this yard, he followed me every step
He's buried between two trees you see
buried him in my brand new quilt
and my mother was really mad at me
In this yard, I would bathe him
many years before
his old eyes grew dim
His bed layed by the cellar door
with tall trees, all around him
oh memories, of the dog I adored
Memories of the time
that the meter man came
he hit old shep, that wasn't very kind
This old yard, was all shep had
he guarded it with his life
when he died, I was very sad
This old yard, now has in it,
a lot of beautiful flowers, all round
between two trees, he wouldn't mind a bit.
A Piece of This
A son trying to help his mother who’s 83 in to the tub to bathe hears words that cut him to his very soul, “You must want a piece of this.” Now, as he hold back his hurt and wipe the spit of his face that his mother had spat on him thoughts begin to race through his mind. How could the woman who gave birth to me think that I would want to do that to her? She comforted me when I was afraid at night. She fed me when I hungry. Yes she was the first woman I loved just like any son would love his mother. But no I have no Oedipus complex. So no I don’t want a piece of that. Wow, this woman is the Grandmother to my son I wonder if I was not here and he was would she say to him “You must want a piece of this.” I know Alzheimer has taken over her mind and she is not the loving mother I once knew but it stills hurts to hear her say, “You must want a piece of this.”
Play Children Play
I came home late one night,
In my door stood my daughter-in-law,
Park your car, I have something to tell you,
As I entered the door, she said, "Mother left today."
Play children play, your mother left today.
There is no where for a writer to start,
When his wife leaves and breaks her children's heart,
When she walked out, she never said good by,
No one has ever known why.
Play children play, today your Mother went away.
Many things we planned to do that day,
For no reason she just walked away,
Twenty years has past and gone,
Some how we took care of our home,
You children have married, but still alone.
Play children play, for the day your Mother went away.
poem by Kenneth McKinley Davis
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Calypso Blues
(don george, nathaniel cole)
Wa-oo-oo, wa-oo-oo,
Wa-oo wa-oo wa-oo wa-ay...
Wa-oo-oo, wa-oo-oo,
Wa-oo wa-oo wa-oo wa-ay...
Sittin by de ocean
Me heart, she feel so sad,
Sittin by de ocean,
Me heart, she feel so sad...
Dont got de money
To take me back to trinidad.
Fine calypso woman,
She cook me shrimp and rice,
Fine calypso woman,
She cook me shrimp and rice...
Dese yankee hot dogs
Dont treat me stomach very nice.
In trinidad, one dollar buy
Papaya juice, banana pie,
Six coconut, one female goat,
An plenty fish to fill de boat.
One bushel bread, one barrel wine,
An all de town, she come to dine.
But here is bad, one dollar buy
Cup of coffee, ham on rye.
Me throat she sick from necktie,
Me feet hurt from shoes.
Me pocket full of empty,
I got calypso blues.
Dese yankee girl give me big scare,
Is black de root, is blonde de hair.
Her eyelash false, her face is paint,
And pads are where de girl she aint!
She jitterbug when she should waltz,
I even think her name is false.
But calypso girl is good a lot,
Is what you see, is what she got.
Sittin by de ocean
Me heart, she feel so sad,
Sittin by de ocean,
Me heart, she feel so sad...
Dont got de money
To take me back to trinidad.
Wa-oo-oo, wa-oo-oo,
Wa-oo wa-oo wa-oo wa-ay...
Wa-oo-oo, wa-oo-oo,
Wa-oo wa-oo wa-oo wa-ay...
(repeat chant to fade)
song performed by by Nat King Cole
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
I'll see her face again
Today we buried her,
there her body will stay,
until that wonderful day
I will see her face again,
either when i die,
or away i fly
She was a wonderful mother,
and a very fine wife
between us, there was very little strive
She was a very loyal servant,
to her church, she was very true
she knew what to do, when everyone was blue
She brought many children to the Lord
I'm sure the Lord, has said to her, well done.
of her I always think, at the setting of sun
So I will see her again
i can't wait until that day,
when in heaven, together we'll stay
Country Yard
I'm tired of feelin sick and useless
then speakin every other way
gluin my eyes together girl
might be the right escape
there's nothin in the secret garden
just images of blue and white
losin my mind forever girl
maybe the only sign
down in a country yard
I was taken by the shadows
although we couldn't see that far
I was dreamin of tomorrow
I really don't need a change
I really don't need what's mine
out in a country yard
it'll be just fine
aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhiiiiiii [x4]
down in a country yard
I was taken by the shadows
although we couldn't see that far
I was dreamin of tomorrow
I really don't need a change
I really don't need what's mine
out in a country yard
it'll be just fine
aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhiiiiiii [x8]
song performed by by The Vines from Highly Evolved
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Wonderful Mother
Wonderful Mother
God made a wonderful mother,
A mother who never grows old;
He made her smile of the sunshine,
And He moulded her heart of pure gold;
In her eyes He placed bright shining stars,
In her cheeks fair roses you see;
God made a wonderful mother,
And He gave that dear mother to me.
poem by Morgan Doe
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Peek-A-Boo
The cunningest thing that a baby can do
Is the very first time it plays peek-a-boo;
When it hides its pink little face in its hands,
And crows, and shows that it understands
What nurse, and mamma and papa, too,
Mean when they hide and cry, 'Peek-a-boo, peek-a-boo.'
Oh, what a wonderful thing it is,
When they find that baby can play like this;
And everyone listens, and thinks it true
That baby's gurgle means 'Peek-a-boo, peek-a-boo';
And over and over the changes are rung
On the marvelous infant who talks so young.
I wonder if any one ever knew
A baby that never played peek-a-boo, peek-a-boo.
'Tis old as the hills are. I believe
Cain was taught it by Mother Eve;
For Cain was an innocent baby, too,
And I am sure he played peek-a-boo, peek-a-boo.
And the whole world full of the children of men,
Have all of them played that game since then.
Kings and princes and beggars, too,
Everyone has played peek-a-boo, peek-a-boo.
Thief and robber and ruffian bold,
The crazy tramp and the drunkard old,
All have been babies who laughed and knew
How to hide, and play peek-a-boo, peek-a-boo.
poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!