'When Dey 'Listed Colored Soldiers' by Paul Laurence Dunbar
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Dey was talkin' in de cabin, dey was talkin' in de hall;
But I listened kin' o'keerless, not a-t'inkin' 'bout it all;
An' on Sunday, too, I noticed, dey was whisp rin mighty much
Stan'in' all erroun' de roadside w'en dey let us out o' chu'ch.
But I did n't t'ink erbout it 'twell de middle of de week,
An' my 'Lias come to see me, an' somehow he coul n't speak.
Den I seed all in a minute whut he'd come to see me for;
Dey had 'listed colo'ed sojers an' my 'Lias gwine to wah.
Oh, I hugged him, an' I kissed him, an' I baiged him not to go;
But he tol' me dat his conscience, hit was callin' to him so,
An' he could n't baih to lingah w'en he had a chanst to fight
For de freedom dey had gin him an' de glory of de right.
So he kissed me, an' he lef' me, w'en I'd p'omised to be true;
An' dey put a knapsack on him, an' a coat all colo'ed blue.
So I gin him pap's ol' Bible f'om de bottom of de draw',
W'en dey 'listed colo'ed sojers an' my 'Lias went to wah.
But I t'ought of all de weary miles dat he would have to tramp,
An' I could n't be contented w'en dey tuk him to de camp.
W'y my hea't nigh broke wid grievin' 'twell I seed him on de street;
Den I felt lak I could go an' th'ow my body at his feet.
For his buttons was a-shinin', an' his face was sinin', too,
An' he looked so strong an' mighty in his coat o' sojer blue,
Dat I hollahed, "Step up, manny," dough my th'oat was so' an' raw,
W'en dey 'listed colo'ed sojers an' my 'Lias went to wah.
Ol' Mis' cried w'en mastah lef' huh, young Miss mou'ned huh brothah Ned,
An' I did n't know dey feelin's is de ve'y wo'ds dey said
W'en I tol' 'em I was so'y. Dey had done gin up dey all;
But dey only seemed mo' proudah dat dey men had hyeahed de call.
Bofe my mastahs went in gray suits, an' I loved de Yankee blue,
But I t'ought dat I could sorrer for de losin' of 'em too;
But I could n't, for I did n't know de ha'f o' whut I saw,
'Twell dey 'listed colo'ed sojers an' my 'Lias went to wah.
Mastah Jack come home all sickly; he was broke for life, dey said;
An' dey lef' my po' young mastah some'r's on de roadside, dead.
W'en de women cried an' mou'ned 'em, I could feel it thoo an' thoo,
For I had a loved un fightin' in de way o' dangah, too.
Den dey tol' me dey had laid him some'r's way down souf to res',
Wid de flag dat he had fit for shinin' daih acrost his breas'.
Well, I cried, but den I reckon dat 's whut Gawd had called him for,
W'en dey 'listed colo'ed sojers an' my 'Lias went to wah.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"When Dey 'Listed Colored Soldiers" by Paul Laurence Dunbar
Are you familiar with the poem "When Dey 'Listed Colored Soldiers" by Paul Laurence Dunbar? If not, let me introduce you to one of the most powerful pieces of literature on race and war.
Paul Laurence Dunbar was a black poet who lived in the late 19th and early 20th century. He wrote poems that dealt with the struggles of black people in America, and "When Dey 'Listed Colored Soldiers" is no exception.
The poem is about the enlistment of black soldiers in the Union Army during the Civil War. Dunbar starts the poem with an ironic tone, as he describes how the black soldiers were treated as inferior beings, and yet they still went to fight for their country.
"When dey 'listed colored soldiers, an' dey didn't know fu' sho' dat dey'd won de battels foughten long ergo, didn't nobody go to see dem off to war. Dey were 'lowed to kiss dey mothahs, den dey hustled to de traih all a-cryin' an' all tremblin' jes' to tink dat evah day dey might have to face de cannons fer de USA."
Dunbar uses the dialect of black people to convey their voice and their struggle. He also uses irony to show how the black soldiers were treated as second-class citizens, and yet they still fought bravely for their country.
The poem goes on to describe the hardships that the black soldiers faced during the war. They were discriminated against, and yet they still fought with courage and bravery.
"Den dey drilled an' drilled an' drilled us, till we learned de cahds by hea't, But dey couldn't tech us colah an' hit nebber wuz a paht Ob de game to make us love it but, my Lawd, you ought to seen When dey 'listed colored soldiers, how dey skinned us to de bone, An' de way we had to try to mek a uniform fer our own."
Dunbar's use of imagery is powerful here. He describes how the black soldiers were drilled and trained, but they were still discriminated against. The line "But dey couldn't tech us colah" is particularly poignant, as it shows how the black soldiers were denied their identity and their culture.
The poem ends with a powerful message of hope and resilience. Despite the hardships that the black soldiers faced, they still fought bravely for their country, and they still believed in the American Dream.
"So we went to s'prise de Yankees, an' we made 'em yell an' howl, An' we histed up de flag, de same ole banner wid de owl; An' we fit fer Uncle Sammy, fightin' pow'ful on his side, An' we laffed when dey all 'lowed dat we couldn't t'rough de ride. When dey 'listed colored soldiers an' de war wuz goin' on, We done good--yes, good's de white folks, mon, An' we' 'll do de same in peace time, twell de woild has t'ought us right, An' dey'll 'member colored soldiers ef dey's black, er brown, er white."
Dunbar's message is clear. The black soldiers fought bravely for their country, and they deserve to be remembered and honored just like any other soldier. The final line of the poem is particularly powerful, as it shows that race should not matter when it comes to bravery and sacrifice.
In conclusion, "When Dey 'Listed Colored Soldiers" is a powerful and poignant poem that speaks to the struggles of black people in America. Dunbar's use of language and imagery is masterful, and his message of hope and resilience is as relevant today as it was when the poem was written. If you haven't read this poem yet, I highly recommend that you do. You won't be disappointed.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry When Dey 'Listed Colored Soldiers: A Masterpiece by Paul Laurence Dunbar
Paul Laurence Dunbar, an African American poet, novelist, and playwright, was one of the most prominent literary figures of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His works, which often explored the experiences of black Americans, were celebrated for their emotional depth, lyrical beauty, and social commentary. One of his most famous poems, "When Dey 'Listed Colored Soldiers," is a powerful and moving tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of African American soldiers during the Civil War.
The poem, which was first published in 1898, begins with a description of the scene as black soldiers are being recruited to fight for the Union army. Dunbar vividly captures the excitement and anticipation of the moment, as the men eagerly sign up to serve their country:
"When dey 'listed colored soldiers in de ole United States,
Didn't know dey's goin' to keep on 'listin' 'em to-day;
S'pose dey's think the change o' color make 'em better fightin' mates,
Sence dey's proved dey's men an' brothers, fightin' jest de same ole way."
The poem's opening lines are notable for their use of dialect, which was a common feature of Dunbar's work. By writing in the vernacular of his subjects, he was able to give voice to the experiences and perspectives of black Americans in a way that was both authentic and accessible. The use of dialect also serves to underscore the poem's themes of identity and belonging, as the soldiers are shown to be both part of and separate from the larger American society.
As the poem continues, Dunbar shifts his focus to the soldiers themselves, describing their courage and determination in the face of adversity:
"Dar was Sergeant Carney,
Who crawled an' took de flag,
An' he bring it out all right,
In spite o' shot an' shell an' brag."
Here, Dunbar is referencing William Harvey Carney, a black soldier who served in the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment during the Civil War. Carney was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery in the Battle of Fort Wagner, where he famously rescued the regiment's flag and carried it to safety despite being wounded multiple times. By highlighting Carney's heroism, Dunbar is celebrating the contributions of black soldiers to the Union cause and challenging the prevailing stereotypes of African Americans as cowardly or inferior.
The poem's final stanza is perhaps its most powerful, as Dunbar reflects on the sacrifices made by the soldiers and the legacy they left behind:
"An' dey buried him out yonder,
In de ole churchyard,
An' de words dat's on his tombstone
Is: 'Better here dan 'cross de yard.'"
The reference to the soldier's tombstone is a poignant reminder of the high cost of war and the toll it takes on those who fight it. The phrase "Better here dan 'cross de yard" is a reference to the practice of burying black soldiers in separate cemeteries from their white counterparts, a practice that was common during the Civil War and continued in some places for decades afterward. By using this phrase, Dunbar is highlighting the injustice and indignity of segregation and calling for greater equality and respect for black soldiers and their contributions.
Overall, "When Dey 'Listed Colored Soldiers" is a masterful work of poetry that captures the spirit and sacrifice of African American soldiers during the Civil War. Through its use of dialect, vivid imagery, and powerful themes, the poem serves as a testament to the resilience and courage of black Americans in the face of oppression and injustice. As we continue to grapple with issues of race and identity in our own time, Dunbar's words remain a powerful reminder of the enduring legacy of those who have fought for freedom and equality.
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