Life Is Fine

Life Is Fine

I went down to the river,

I set down on the bank.

I tried to think but couldnt,

So I jumped in and sank.

I came up once and hollered!

I came up twice and cried!

If that water hadnt a-been so cold

I mightve sunk and died.

But it was Cold in that water! It was cold!

I took the elevator

Sixteen floors above the ground.

I thought about my baby

And thought I would jump down.

I stood there and I hollered!

I stood there and I cried!

If it hadnt a-been so high

I mightve jumped and died.

But it was High up there! It was high!

So since Im still here livin,

I guess I will live on.

I couldve died for love--

But for livin I was born

Though you may hear me holler,

And you may see me cry--

Ill be dogged, sweet baby,

If you gonna see me die.

Life is fine! Fine as wine! Life is fine!

Langston Hughes