A Death Song Poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar

A Death Song

Rating: 3.0


Lay me down beneaf de willers in de grass,
Whah de branch 'll go a-singin' as it pass.
An' w'en I's a-layin' low,
I kin hyeah it as it go
Singin', 'Sleep, my honey, tek yo' res' at las'.'

Lay me nigh to whah hit meks a little pool,
An' de watah stan's so quiet lak an' cool,
Whah de little birds in spring,
Ust to come an' drink an' sing,
An' de chillen waded on dey way to school.

Let me settle w'en my shouldahs draps dey load
Nigh enough to hyeah de noises in de road;
Fu' I t'ink de las' long res'
Gwine to soothe my sperrit bes'
Ef I's layin' 'mong de t'ings I's allus knowed.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Ray Quesada 12 October 2012

We are all dying the day we are born. this is a haunting poem. I always love a good Death poem!

9 3 Reply
Edward Kofi Louis 29 May 2018

Earth! ! Living; Facing the romance of nature. Thanks for sharing this poem with us.

2 0 Reply
Kayode Are 29 May 2018

A bygone age, reflects death as relief, when living, to some, meant suffering.

2 0 Reply
Lungelo S Mbuyazi 29 May 2018

Great write....I'll like to hear someone recite it though.

2 0 Reply
Robert Murray Smith 29 May 2018

Nice lyrical write. Sing it out loud and proud.

1 0 Reply
Sylvia Frances Chan 07 October 2023

To the family of the late poet: Congratulations being chosen as The Classic Poem Of The Day!

0 0 Reply
Sylvia Frances Chan 07 October 2023

Approaching his own futural death perhaps, since he suffered from tiberculosis. At the young age of 33 he died of this disease. Very tragic. Top Marks for this precious Death Song.

0 0 Reply
Khairul Ahsan 25 January 2019

I do not like death songs and death poems.

0 2 Reply

Beautifully composed poem

1 0 Reply
Bernard F. Asuncion 25 January 2019

A beautiful verse by Pau Laurence Dunbar...........................

1 0 Reply
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Paul Laurence Dunbar

Paul Laurence Dunbar

Ohio / United States
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