oh, neighbor.

down in that den of the devil,

down in that center of sin,

down in new york’s harlem,

negroes kill other negroes

over gambling debts,

over women,

over gin.

hear me, neighbor.

if we are patient,

if we are patient, my good neighbor,

we can stay here at home,

we can take care of our problems at home

and down there in harlem, the

negro problem will

settle

itself.