And when you're poor, you grow up fast.

Singing songs like 'The Man I Love' or 'Porgy' is no more work than sitting down and eating Chinese roast duck, and I love roast duck.

I never had a chance to play with dolls like other kids. I started working when I was six years old.

They think they can make fuel from horse manure - now, I don't know if your car will be able to get 30 miles to the gallon, but it's sure gonna put a stop to siphoning.

I can only sing songs my way. I don't know any other way.

New Orleans is the only city in the world you go in to buy a pair of nylon stockings they want to know your head size.

I've been told that nobody sings the word 'hunger' like I do.