I don’t mind dying —
But I’d hate to die all alone!
I want a dozen pretty women
To holler, cry, and moan.
I don’t mind dying
But I want my funeral to be fine:
A row of long tall mamas
Fainting, Fanning, and crying.
I want a fish-tail hearse
And sixteen fish-tail cars,
A big brass band
And a whole truck load of flowers.
When they let me down,
Down into the clay,
I want the women to holler:
Please don’t take him away!
Ow-ooo-oo-o!
Don’t take daddy away!
“As Befits a Man,” by Langston Hughes, from Selected Poems (Vintage Books, 1974).
“He had a world view, he was always embracing the larger humanity. … not just in words, that’s who he was.” -Wynton Marsalis on his father, Ellis Marsalis Jr.
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Ellis Louis Marsalis Jr. (November 14, 1934 – April 1, 2020)
Words for the Year 
Beautiful tribute to Ellis. He raised a beautiful son, Wynton. Took me back to Preservation Hell, I was fortunate enough to visit before the country went into lockdown.
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Thanks Jim, hope you are well. The entire Marsalis family is something special; momma and daddy Marsalis did a few things right to raise such beautiful children 🙂
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Thank you Christine. Once again you’ve brought something soulful into my day with this poem and tribute.
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Anne, your comments are always so heart-felt and genuine; thank you so very much. x, c-
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I can relate, I don’t fear death but I’d love to have all the women of my life make a fuss, thanks for introducing me to this poem:)
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Isn’t it a great piece, Christo? Both funny and serious, at the same time. I like the idea of a jazz parade celebration versus the sad somber funerals we typically picture. So glad you commented, thanks Christo! -christy
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