Yaa Asantewaa Poem by Otis B. Kruah

In the time when the fiercest of men were hidden,
Shielding themselves in fear of fading away
falling like a fragile plant during a flood

When a foreign spear pierced through the warrior's heart,
But his sword was too heavy to carry,
Inward his pain he kept while his women wept

In the time when the warrior-kings trembled;
their thrones shattered and servants grumbled
when dictators voiced their humility-
bowing before another crown.
When god-like kings swore their allegiance to foreign scepter
Narrate the valiant story of-

Yaa Asantewaa;
Queen Mother of the Ejisu; Mother warrior of the Ashanti Empire

Sing as verses her rallying words to defend the Ashanti land
dance your steps in the pattern of her march to the battlefields
sew your garments from the threads of her battle dress-
the batakarikese

Embrace the dignity of your Golden Stool;
lifting high your sword of liberty

Recite the elegy of Seychelles-
Tell the story of the woman who faced the cannon undefeated in heart;
who broke through invaders' sieges with the spear of sovereignty
loving liberty than she feared death;
walking through the furnace

Narrate courageously the tale of a valiant Queen Mother-
Say in such a perilous time, lived-

Yaa Asantewaa;
A defender spear that was never broken