Lyr Req: Red Sun (Langston Hughes, Josh White)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red Sun (Josh White?)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 15 Oct 05 - 01:48 PM

Langston Hughes was a prolific writer; The "Collected Poems of Langston Hughes" runs to over 700 pages. Some were based on blues (e. g. "Weary Blues"). The book should be in most libraries and paperback reprints are cheap.
A few of his poems are on the web by permission; the estate holds the copyrights (he died in 1967).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Red Sun (Josh White?)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 15 Oct 05 - 01:38 AM

Allmusic.com attributes RED SUN to Langston Hughes and Josh White. I'm guessing that means it was originally a poem by Langston Hughes, and Josh White later set it to music. I suppose it's also possible that they collaborated. This discography says Langston Hughes wrote the liner notes to one of Josh White's albums—but that was in 1944, and RED SUN didn't appear until 1960.

Anyway, here's an excerpt. It's the best I can do for now. I would recommend looking in a book of Langston Hughes' poetry.

Red sun, red sun, why don't you rise today?
Red sun, O sun, Why don't you rise today?
Ma heart is breakin'—my baby's gone away.

Little birds, little birds, ain't you gonna sing this morn?
Says, little chirpin' birds, ain't you gonna sing this morn?
I cannot sleep—ma lovin' man is gone.

Subject: Lyr Req: Red Sun
From: GUEST,pirates
Date: 10 Oct 05 - 11:58 PM

I am looking for lyrics/chords for Red Sun by Josh White;
"Little bird, little bird, ain't you gonna sing this morning?
Cause I'm cryin', my baby is gone"