Sterling Brown Has Come To Town

Sterling Brown has come to town.


It’s up to 125th street depot
to catch the “A” Train Express,
tonight we’re goin’ way on down
Sterling Brown has come to town

Jamb packed jiggling side to side
back and forth in sardine rhythm
iron wheels clackin’ round and round
Sterling Brown has come to town.

Christmas winter riders on and off
collars tight and wool scarves donned
outside snow comes falling down
Sterling Brown has come to town.

Stop at twelfth’s street corner diner
big black coffee hand warm steaming
two big cookies fresh and round
Sterling Brown has come to town.

Then on to Parson’s big warm hall
shed sweaters, coats, and all
shake hands, “Hello”, all around
Sterling Brown has come to town.

Up on the stage sat a black man
paying little mind to the speaker,
“Everyone let’s clap our hands all ‘round”
Sterling Brown had come to town.

He slowly walked up to the mic
and began to read aloud
about the strong men onward bound.
Sterling Brown had come to town.


He read about Ole’ Scrappy
and how Moll’s slippers made her happy
earning with her body down
Sterling Brown had come to town.

He read until he grew weary then moved to sit a spell;
he told about Aunt Biddy’s rocking chair
and how Albert’s mules were brown
Sterling Brown had come to town.

Of all the poets that I have heard
it’s that cold December village night,
I hold in rich renown
when Sterling Brown came to town.