Poet Langston Hughes was "discovered" in 1925 while working as a busboy in a Washington, D.C. restaurant. He slipped some of his poems next to poet Vachel Lindsay's dinner plate and, with Lindsay's enthusiastic backing, went on to become a celebrated documenter of the African-American experience. He died in 1967. Hughes' earliest poems were short verses he penned for the Belfry Owl, his high-school magazine. He recited them for a children's collection released as an album in 1955. Hear him celebrate spring's soggy showers in "April Rain Song," along with other works from his teenage years, at Smithsonian.com/jukebox.
Listen to Langston Hughes perform "April Rain Song"
Music courtesy of Smithsonian Folkways, the non-profit record label of the Smithsonian Institution. Please click here to purchase or for more information
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Comments (9)
I am looking for Irish Pirate Ballads & other songs of the sea. Thanks, Sally Discher
Posted by Sally Discher on March 26,2009 | 08:47 PM
those were good poems, but i don't think that was his voice, because they did not have recorders back then.
Posted by kelcie on February 5,2009 | 03:04 PM
My mother, an elementary school teacher, loved Langston's poetry enough to give me his name and read them to me almost every night. Always good to hear the real Langston.
Posted by Langston Thomas on July 8,2008 | 10:12 AM
To quote Langston Hughes..................... I'm Happy...Take It Away... Hey, pop! Re-bop! Mop! Y-e-a-h!
Posted by Harry Sharp on April 29,2008 | 03:11 PM
Hearing Langston Hughes was wonderful but What happened to the Pete Seeger ballad?
Posted by Beverly Copeland on April 8,2008 | 04:14 PM
It's really a great opportunity to hear Langston Hughes's poetry in his own voice. Thank you so much for Smithsonian. Balwant Graphic Designer - Photographer New Delhi, India
Posted by Balwant Singh on April 7,2008 | 03:31 AM
I was searching for Seeger as well.
Posted by Jerry Campbell on March 31,2008 | 03:21 PM
I was looking for Seeger Singalong's American Favorite Ballads. I was referred to your website by the January issue to listen to Seeger's rendition but I can't find it.
Posted by khadija echevarria on March 30,2008 | 01:24 PM
What a privilege to listen to Langston Hughes reciting his lovely poetry in his own expressive voice. Loved it! Thank you so very much. ~Pat
Posted by E. Patricia Stehlik on March 27,2008 | 12:17 AM
I've enjoyed reading Hughes's poetry (especially "Theme for English B") for years, but I've never heard his voice before. Now I have an audio memory and I thank you!
Posted by John Weismiller on March 27,2008 | 11:52 PM
What a great opportunity to hear Langston Hughes's poetry in his own voice. Thank you so much Smithsonian.
Posted by Robin on March 25,2008 | 07:47 PM