"Thump, thump, thump, went his foot on the floor" is straightforwardly onomatopoeic imitation of the old singer's keeping time with his foot as he sings and plays the piano.
A number of explosive consonants and especially the "p" sounds are imitative of the plinking of piano keys.
The "z" sounds and "n" sounds, so plentiful in the poem, are evocative of the old singer's droning voice.
Langston Hughes
it was the weary blues
Alfred A. Knopf was the publisher of Hughes' first book, The Weary Blues in 1926
1926
Langston Hughes
The Backlash Blues by Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes
langston hughes
"The Weary Blues" by Langston Hughes was first published sometime in 1925. Source: wwnorton.com Of course, the author could have written it much earlier.
Langston Hughes
Well, I have a few: "Sympathy" by Paul Laurence Dunbar "A Dream Deffered" by Langston Hughes "The Weary Blues" by Langston Hughes "The Athlete Dying Young" by A.E. Housman
Weary Blues By: Langston Hughes