Harlem On My Mind

Harlem on my Mind - Ethel Waters

Emeralds in my bracelets diamonds in my rings

A Riviera chateau and a lot of other things

And I'm blue so blue am I

Lots of ready money in seven different banks

I counted up this morning it was 'bout a million francs

And I'm blue so blue and I know why

I've got Harlem on my mind

And I'm longin' to be lowdown

And my 'Parlez-vous' will not ring true

With Harlem on my mind

I've been dined and I've been wined

But I'm headin' for a showdown

'Cause I can't go on from night to dawn

With Harlem on my mind

I go to supper with a French Marquis

Each evening after the show

My lips begin to whisper "Mon Cheri"

But my heart keeps singin' "Hi-de-ho"

I've become too damned refined

And at night I hate to go down

To that high-falutin' flat that Lady Mendel designed

With Harlem on my mind

I've got Harlem on my mind

And I'm longing to be lowdown

And my 'Parlez-vous' will not ring true

With Harlem on my mind

I've been dined and I've been wined

But sure as your born I'm headin' for a showdown

'Cause I can't go on from night to dawn

With Harlem on my mind

And when I'm bathing in my marble tub

Each evening after the show

I get to thinkin' 'bout that Cotton Club

And my heart starts chirpin', "Hi-de-ho" help me

I've been too damned refined

And at night I hate to go down

To that flat with fifty million Frenchmen taggin' behind

With Harlem on my mind