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If we must die, let it not be like hogs
Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot,
While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs,
Making their mock at our accursèd lot.
If we must die, O let us nobly die,
So that our precious blood may not be shed
In vain; then even the monsters we defy
Shall be constrained to honor us though dead!
O kinsmen! we must meet the common foe!
Though far outnumbered let us show us brave,
And for their thousand blows deal one death-blow!
What though before us lies the open grave?
Like men we'll face the murderous, cowardly pack,
Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back!
Claude McKay
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Friday, January 03, 2003 |
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Read poems about / on: death, dog, hunting
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Comments about this poem (If We Must Die
by
Claude McKay
) |
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Bernard Scott (3/22/2010 3:20:00 PM)
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'During his address to the American Congress in his effort to encourage American aid and American entry in the fight against German Nazi, Winston Churchill, UK prime minister, concluded his speech by a reading of McKay's famous poem 'If We Must Die.'
http: /www.nathanielturner.com/claudemckay.htm
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Kadeja Bailey (1/24/2010 10:40:00 AM)
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the poem is about dieing with honor sumting that many people have forgotten........... to look death deep in the eyes and not be afraid.it is black pride and wearing our color with respect even when faced with ridicule it is about dieing a man...... rather than living as a coward! ! ! !
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Shane Clawson (2/29/2008 7:45:00 PM)
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This poem is in my english prep text book. The beginning started good, but the rest got me confuzzled......
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Crnc Fnly (12/2/2007 5:44:00 PM)
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This poem was written during the Harlem Renaissance period. It was written as a millitant response to a Harlem race riot. McKay expresses active resistance throughout the poem.
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