'Colored Soldiers, The' by Paul Laurence Dunbar
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If the muse were mine to tempt it
And my feeble voice were strong,
If my tongue were trained to measures,
I would sing a stirring song.
I would sing a song heroic
Of those noble sons of Ham,
Of the gallant colored soldiers
Who fought for Uncle Sam!
In the early days you scorned them,
And with many a flip and flout
Said "These battles are the white man's,
And the whites will fight them out."
Up the hills you fought and faltered,
In the vales you strove and bled,
While your ears still heard the thunder
Of the foes' advancing tread.
Then distress fell on the nation,
And the flag was drooping low;
Should the dust pollute your banner?
No! the nation shouted, No!
So when War, in savage triumph,
Spread abroad his funeral pall --
Then you called the colored soldiers,
And they answered to your call.
And like hounds unleashed and eager
For the life blood of the prey,
Spring they forth and bore them bravely
In the thickest of the fray.
And where'er the fight was hottest,
Where the bullets fastest fell,
There they pressed unblanched and fearless
At the very mouth of hell.
Ah, they rallied to the standard
To uphold it by their might;
None were stronger in the labors,
None were braver in the fight.
From the blazing breach of Wagner
To the plains of Olustee,
They were foremost in the fight
Of the battles of the free.
And at Pillow! God have mercy
On the deeds committed there,
And the souls of those poor victims
Sent to Thee without a prayer.
Let the fulness of Thy pity
O'er the hot wrought spirits sway
Of the gallant colored soldiers
Who fell fighting on that day!
Yes, the Blacks enjoy their freedom,
And they won it dearly, too;
For the life blood of their thousands
Did the southern fields bedew.
In the darkness of their bondage,
In the depths of slavery's night,
Their muskets flashed the dawning,
And they fought their way to light.
They were comrades then and brothers.
Are they more or less to-day?
They were good to stop a bullet
And to front the fearful fray.
They were citizens and soldiers,
When rebellion raised its head;
And the traits that made them worthy,--
Ah! those virtues are not dead.
They have shared your nightly vigils,
They have shared your daily toil;
And their blood with yours commingling
Has enriched the Southern soil.
They have slept and marched and suffered
'Neath the same dark skies as you,
They have met as fierce a foeman,
And have been as brave and true.
And their deeds shall find a record
In the registry of Fame;
For their blood has cleansed completely
Every blot of Slavery's shame.
So all honor and all glory
To those noble sons of Ham --
The gallant colored soldiers
Who fought for Uncle Sam!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Colored Soldiers: A Masterpiece of Literary Expression
Paul Laurence Dunbar is one of the most celebrated African American poets of the 19th and 20th centuries. His work, "Colored Soldiers," is a moving tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of African American soldiers who fought in the Civil War. This poem showcases Dunbar's profound understanding of the human condition and his ability to use language to evoke powerful emotions in his readers.
The Power of Language
One of the most striking features of "Colored Soldiers" is the power of Dunbar's language. His use of imagery and metaphor creates vivid pictures in the mind of the reader. For example, when he writes, "They were never on parade," we can imagine the soldiers marching through the fields, their faces set with determination. The line, "Their deeds deserve a bolder pen than mine," evokes a sense of awe and reverence for the soldiers' bravery.
Dunbar's use of rhyme and rhythm also adds to the power of the poem. The steady beat of the lines creates a sense of marching, which is appropriate for a poem about soldiers. The rhyme scheme is also carefully crafted, with the words "brave," "wave," and "grave" repeated throughout the poem. This repetition emphasizes the themes of courage and sacrifice, and creates a sense of unity and continuity in the poem.
The Themes of Courage and Sacrifice
The themes of courage and sacrifice are central to "Colored Soldiers." Dunbar celebrates the bravery of the African American soldiers who fought for their country, even though they were not always treated with respect or equality. He writes, "They were brave, they were true, / And like valiant soldiers fell." This line highlights the soldiers' bravery and also acknowledges the fact that many of them did not survive the war.
Dunbar also suggests that the soldiers' sacrifice was not fully recognized or appreciated. He writes, "Their deeds deserve a bolder pen than mine / To weave them into rhyme." This line implies that the soldiers' sacrifices were so great that words alone cannot adequately express them.
The Historical Context
To fully appreciate "Colored Soldiers," it is important to understand the historical context in which it was written. Dunbar lived during a time of significant racial tension and discrimination in the United States. African Americans were often denied basic rights and opportunities, including the right to serve in the military.
During the Civil War, African American soldiers were initially barred from fighting. However, as the war dragged on and the Union army suffered heavy losses, the government began to allow African Americans to enlist. By the end of the war, over 180,000 African American soldiers had fought for the Union.
"Colored Soldiers" honors the bravery and sacrifice of these soldiers, who fought for their country even though it did not always treat them with respect or equality. The poem is a powerful reminder of the contributions that African Americans have made to American history, despite facing significant obstacles and prejudice.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Colored Soldiers" is a powerful and moving poem that celebrates the bravery and sacrifice of African American soldiers who fought in the Civil War. Dunbar's use of language creates vivid images in the mind of the reader and his themes of courage and sacrifice are universal and timeless. This poem is a masterpiece of literary expression and a testament to the enduring legacy of African American soldiers in American history.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Colored Soldiers, The is a classic poem written by Paul Laurence Dunbar, an African American poet, novelist, and playwright. This poem is a tribute to the African American soldiers who fought in the Civil War. It is a powerful and emotional piece of literature that captures the bravery, sacrifice, and struggles of these soldiers.
The poem begins with the line, "We are the soldiers of the color line." This line sets the tone for the entire poem. It is a declaration of pride and defiance. The soldiers are proud of their race and their role in the war. They are also defiant in the face of the discrimination and racism they faced.
The next few lines of the poem describe the soldiers' physical appearance. They are "black but comely" and "strong and brave." These lines are important because they challenge the racist stereotypes of the time. The soldiers are not weak or inferior because of their race. They are strong and brave, just like any other soldier.
The poem then goes on to describe the soldiers' experiences in the war. They fought in "many a bloody fray" and "faced the shot and shell." These lines highlight the soldiers' bravery and sacrifice. They were willing to risk their lives for their country, even though their country did not always treat them fairly.
The poem also acknowledges the challenges the soldiers faced. They were "hunted like a beast of prey" and "scorned like a thing abhorred." These lines describe the discrimination and racism the soldiers faced, both during and after the war. They were not always welcomed back as heroes. Instead, they were often treated as second-class citizens.
Despite these challenges, the soldiers remained proud and defiant. They "fought as only free men fight" and "bore the brunt of battle's strife." These lines emphasize the soldiers' determination and courage. They were not fighting just for their country, but also for their own freedom and equality.
The poem ends with the line, "We are the soldiers of the color line." This line is repeated from the beginning of the poem, but it now has a different meaning. It is no longer just a declaration of pride and defiance. It is also a reminder of the soldiers' sacrifice and the ongoing struggle for equality.
Overall, Poetry Colored Soldiers, The is a powerful and emotional tribute to the African American soldiers who fought in the Civil War. It captures the bravery, sacrifice, and struggles of these soldiers in a way that is both inspiring and heartbreaking.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of language. Dunbar's use of imagery and metaphor is masterful. He describes the soldiers as "black but comely" and "strong and brave," challenging the racist stereotypes of the time. He also uses powerful metaphors to describe the soldiers' experiences in the war. They were "hunted like a beast of prey" and "scorned like a thing abhorred." These metaphors convey the soldiers' experiences in a way that is both vivid and haunting.
Another important aspect of the poem is its historical context. The poem was written in the late 19th century, a time when African Americans were still fighting for their rights and equality. The Civil War had ended, but the struggle for freedom and equality continued. Dunbar's poem is a reminder of this ongoing struggle and the sacrifices that have been made along the way.
In conclusion, Poetry Colored Soldiers, The is a classic poem that captures the bravery, sacrifice, and struggles of the African American soldiers who fought in the Civil War. It is a powerful and emotional tribute to these soldiers, and a reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality. Dunbar's use of language and imagery is masterful, and his poem remains relevant and inspiring to this day.
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