Langston Hughes's Original Poem
Song of the Revolution
Sing me a song of the Revolution Marching like fire over the world, Weaving from the earth its bright red banner For the hands of the masses to unfurl. Sing me a song of the Revolution Drowning the past with a thunderous shout: Filled with the strength of youth and laughter, And never the echo of a doubt. O mighty roll of the Revolution, Ending the centuries of bloody strife, Ending the tricks of kings and liars, Big with the laughter of a new life. Breaking the bonds of the darker races, Breaking the chains that have held for years, Breaking the barriers dividing the people, Smashing the gods of terror and tears, Cutting, O flame of the Revolution, Fear from the world like a surgeon’s knife, So that the children of all creation Waken, at last, to the joy of life. |
Langston Hughes was a celebrated poet who lived from 1902 to 1967 and is remembered for his poems advocating for Blacks in America. (photo borrowed from Lisa's History Room)
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