I debated posting this one for a few days. The lyrics are part of a very famous poem by Langston Hughes. The copyright is listed as public domain. I know I have seen parodies on here, where people change the lyrics up to existing tunes, that do not even fall under public domain. I was attracted to this song by the success I had collaborating with littlespiral on Next time I'm a tree. I always thought of myself as the natural lyricist in any kind of a collab situation. But I am discovering that I am more effective at writing music to someone else's lyrics, providing that I feel very inspired by them. I am not sure whether I will ever perform this song outside of FAWM. If it goes against the rules I will take it down.
Harlem
lyrics by Langston Hughes
music by Heidi G. Wolfson
C B7
What happens to a dream deferred
Em A7
Does it dry up, like a raisin in the sun?
C B7 Em
Or fester like a sore, and then run
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over like a syrupy sweet
Maybe it just sags like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
@hoppiern Mar 2022
I like the way this turned out - you set the lyrics very well and made me hear the poem in a whole new way.
@roblincoln Feb 2022
Great choice of melody for a great work of poetry.
@the3queens Feb 2022
I feel the same way about collaborations with someone else's lyrics. The music works really well with these lyrics. Since the lyrics are short, I could see it kicking in with drums and being longer.
@humantornado Feb 2022
I liked this. I don't think using public domain stuff is outside of the rules. I used a similar thing in my latest song, too. My lyrics are from a much older poem, but still the same thing. If it is, we're both in trouble! haha