Classical Poem: The Ballad Of The Landlord by Langston Hughes at All poetry

Landlord, landlord,
My roof has sprung a leak.
Don't you 'member I told you about it
Way last week?

Landlord, landlord,
These steps is broken down.
When you come up yourself
It's a wonder you don't fall down.

Ten Bucks you say I owe you?
Ten Bucks you say is due?
Well, that's Ten Bucks more'n I'l pay you
Till you fix this house up new.

What? You gonna get eviction orders?
You gonna cut off my heat?
You gonna take my furniture and
Throw it in the street?

Um-huh! You talking high and mighty.
Talk on-till you get through.
You ain't gonna be able to say a word
If I land my fist on you.

Police! Police!
Come and get this man!
He's trying to ruin the government
And overturn the land!

Copper's whistle!
Patrol bell!
Arrest.
Precinct Station.
Iron cell.
Headlines in press:
MAN THREATENS LANDLORD
TENANT HELD NO BAIL
JUDGE GIVES NEGRO 90 DAYS IN COUNTY JAIL!

Notes

From THE LANGSTON HUGHES READER, p. 101, © 1957.
This poem by Langston Hughes grew out of conditions in New York City’s Harlem in the 1930’s. In graphic terms it describes the escalation of anger and frustration that tenants experienced trying to get landlords to make basic repairs. It is structured like an old time blues song until the final verse where the rhythm changes.

This poem was first adapted for singing by Ray Kamalay of Lansing, Michigan, in 1979 as recorded on WE WON'T MOVE!, a Folkways Recording, now available from Smithsonian-Folkways.

Charley Noble

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By me, right now

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1 day ago
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Revolutionary
From guest Innocent Kaizirege (contact)
i real appreciate the poetic works, of the Late Langstone Hughes their critic and revolutionary.
August 24
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Ballad of the Landlord!
From guest Darlene Robinson (contact)
I recited this poem in the 70's. I went to a Catholic school mostly white kids. We were asked to memorize a poem and recite it to the class. I still remember it word for word and I know it's been almost 40 years.
July 18
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swt
From guest elizabeth india (contact)
sweet n intertesting thanks
June 29
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Amazing
From guest Govinda Prasad Acharya (contact)
This is amazing that America could be so cruel to the coloured people. Such gross injustice to the negros shocked me.
- I-Like-Rhymes
  June 29
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  Guest Govinda Prasad Acharya
  This is indeed a thought provoking poem but, until that one word in the last line this poem could be about amy slum landlord anywhere, oppressing any tenant.
  Despite that one word at the end I see this as an indictement of the worst excesses of capitalism rather than racism and is directed at people not a nation.
June 2
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From guest Tracy (contact)
I had to recite this poem to my predominently black elementary school class back in the 70's during black history month. I was a shy, tiny little white girl. I don't remember what grade. My teacher who coached me told me to say it with more passion and showed me how. So when I recited it in front of the class innocently in her dialect which I learned later was ebonics the entire class howled and laughed. I got shy and lost my nerve. I basically read the rest of it out loud. I'll never forget it. I love this poem and the fond memory of my recital.
May 20
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From guest Sally (contact)
you do realize that he is dead. dont talk about him if he is still living. he left great works behind
April 17
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Ballad of the Landlord
From guest Brenda (contact)
I remember this poem when I was in elementary school back in the 70's. I wanted to introduce it to my kids, but I couldn't remember all of the words. Thanks for having it on the internet. One of my classmates had to recite it during Black History month I think. I recited something else. Don't remember. That was ages ago hehe. Great poem though.
March 29
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hi
From guest Elyric (contact)
i love your poems i really do and i also love life is fine
March 5
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leslie jackson-walker
From guest leslie jackson-walker (contact)
this is my all tim favorite poem for many years past and to come.
February 25
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Bravo
From guest XxX (contact)
It's an easy understanding poem. It is relaxing and interesting. I like the way Hughes present the idea of racism. Well done!!
February 16
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All Time Favorite
From guest Meela (contact)
I read a bit and wrote a little poetry when I was in elementary and high school. I had to recite this poem for an elementary school function and at my 8th grade graduation. Everyone loved the poem. I still love the poem. Great work Langston Hughes. I wish I could have met you but, you passed on before I was born.
January 27
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hi langston
From guest diamond austin (contact)
i love the poem landlord,landlord it was funny thats all for now see you next time hughes
December 30, 2008
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Explanation
From guest Pralahad (contact)
Hello i need explaination of this poem ..If aviable PLz

MOD MESSAGE
As is often the case the answer, as far as it can be obtained by people other than the poet, is present in the poem, the poem notes and in the comments posted by previous readers.
December 3, 2008
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awesome!!!
From guest Desiree r. (contact)
i am doing the national history project!! on hiM
August 19, 2008
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Alright Langston
From guest Beantown4Now (contact)
I read this poem and smile, gives true meaning to the phars, "nothing knew under the sun." Young and living in Boston in my first apt, I surely can sympathies with the Tenant in this poem.
July 31, 2008
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...
From guest Tyla (contact)
thats not at all what i thought it would be about

Perhaps you could amplify that by saying what you feel it is about. MOD TEAM
July 1, 2008
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Great
From guest Edward (contact)
I performed this poem came in first place when is was about 11 or 12. I almost forgot who wrote it!!!!
December 17, 2007
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The Ballad of a Landlord
From guest Brandon Richardson (contact)
This,in my view, is one of the greatest poems ever written, and is my absolute favorite
December 5, 2007
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The Ballad of the Landlord
From guest Jacqueline Newton-Green (contact)
In 1975, as a 8th grade student in Birmigham, Alabama, I was assigned to recite this poem for the Black History program and I never forgot it. I love sharing it with everyone I know because it's message is so powerful!
November 6, 2007
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Ballad of the Landlord
From guest Ms. Ragsdale (contact)
I feel in love with this poem when it was first introduced to me by my sister. Even as a child I remember acting this poem out the was I visiualized it in my head. It was refreshing being about to teach it to my students and allowing them to be able to learn and feel this reality of this poem.
July 21, 2007
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Ballad of the Landlord
From guest SMW (contact)
Thank you so very much. I performed this in 1977 when I was 14. I wanted to see did I remember to pass it on, & i did!! Loe this site. I will visit again & pass it on.
June 20, 2007
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it contemporary in my country
From guest bwire egesa (contact)
May 18, 2007
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The ballad of the landlord
From guest A. Granchi (contact)
I am an eighth grade teacher and I am pleased to say I discovered this particular langston Hughes poem through a student who hand-copied it and presented it to me. Now it is a regular part of the poetry curriculum!
January 19, 2007
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From guest bobby (contact)
i love this poem i read it everyday when i applied for military school it asked me if i could meet one person who would it be i said it would be langston hughes
williamstown
November 26, 2006

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Nineteen thirties? I don`t think conditions are a whole lot better today. This is a sad poem but the writer can find a touch of humour with his words which is the sign of a master.
- Charley Noble
  November 26, 2006
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  I certainly agree with you. The poem is structured in the form of a blues song, and one of my good friends actually channeled the tune when we recorded it for Folkways Records in the 1970's; the recording is now available via Smithsonian Recordings and is titled WE WON'T MOVE!
  
  Charley Noble
October 26, 2006
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I LOVE THIS POEM
From guest Kellee Watts (contact)
This was a poem that I had to remmber went I was in school and I still love it to this day.
sanmdr
July 28, 2006
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I would say illiteracy and poverty... are the only hurdles to fight any kind of social injustice and for their voices to be heard... not just discrimination of dark skinned people...
- Charley Noble
  July 28, 2006
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  Discrimination?
  But am I mistakened that in the period when this poem was composed that "dark skinned people" were discriminated against on the basis of race or ethnicity? I would agree that "illiteracy and poverty" compound discrimination but I believe that Langston Hughes' poem "The Ballad Of The Landlord" echoes the truth of the time, and that truth lingers on to the present day.
  
  Charley Noble
Nobody126
April 10, 2006
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very beautiful
this poem is on of the leading example of the social injustice in society.where poor is getting poorer and the rich and the fudals are getting stronger and stronger.
April 4, 2006
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Great
This poem is a perfect look upon racism. I especially liked the twist at the end.
- Charley Noble
  April 12, 2006
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  Singing Version
  Back in the late 1970's I was co-producing an album entitle WE WON'T MOVE and we recorded this poem. A friend, Ray Kamalay, worked it up as a regular blues arrangement but we were all curious what would happen when he got to the last few lines where the rhythm changes. He nailed it perfectly. The album was distributed by Folkways Records and is now available on special order via Smithsonian.
  
  Charley Noble
March 16, 2006
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I like it
easy to read