Mother to Son + 

Well, son, I’ll tell you: + 

Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair. + 

It’s had tacks in it, + 

And splinters, + 

And boards torn up, + 

And places with no carpet on the floor⁠— + 

Bare; + 

But all the time + 

I’se been a-climbin’ on, + 

And reachin’ landin’s, + 

And turnin’ corners, + 

And sometimes goin’ in the dark, + 

Where there ain’t been no light. + 

So boy, don’t you turn back; + 

Don’t you sit down on the steps, + 

’Cause you finds it’s kinder hard; + 

Don’t you fall now⁠— + 

For I’se still goin’, honey, + 

I’se still climbin’, + 

And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair. + 