alma norman poem about paul bogle

[?] Subscribe To This Site

Stay In Touch

AboutJamaica

Visitor Info

Food & Culture

Interactive

General Info

Resources

Shopping

About Us

alma norman poem about paul bogle

by Trevor
(Montego Bay,Jamaica)

Question:
...It is called the ballad of sixty five (65)

Answer: Oct-13-2008 by W. Gayle

Update: Nov-05-08
The entire poem is below. A BIG THANKS TO TIERAH!

Hi Trevor,
I am not aware of this. I have also checked around but no one was able to relate to, or find any reference to this poem.

I am sure it is just a matter of time though. I am hoping to see other answers/comments to your question by others who may know a little more.

For more on the Paul Bogle, Click Here

Comments for
alma norman poem about paul bogle

Click here to add your own comments

Nov 03, 2008

The First Half
by: Tierah West

The Ballad of Sixty-Five
by Alma Norma

The roads are rocky and the hills are steep,
The macca stretches and the gully?s deep.
The town is far, news travels slow.
And the mountain men have far to go.
Bogle took his cutlass at Stony Gut
And looked at the small heap of food he?d got
And he shook his head, and his thoughts were sad,
?You can wuk like a mule but de crop still bad.?

Bogle got his men and he led them down
Over the hills to Spanish Town,
They chopped their way and they made a track
To the Governor?s house. But he sent them back.

As they trudged back home to Stony Gut
Paul?s spirit sank with each bush he cut,

Nov 03, 2008

Second Half
by: Tierah West

[THE FIRST HALF BELOW]

For the thought of the hungry St Thomas men
Who were waiting for the message he?d bring to them.

They couldn?t believe that he would fail
And their anger rose when they heard his tale.
Then they told Paul Bogle of Morant Bay
And the poor man fined there yesterday.

Then Bogle thundered, ?This thing is wrong.
They think we weak, but we hill en strong.
Rouse up yourself. We?ll march all night
To the Vestry house, and we?ll claim our right.?

The Monday morning was tropic clear
As the men from Stony Gut drew near,
Clenching their sticks in their farmer?s hand
To claim their rights in their native land.

Oh many mourned and many were dead
That day when the vestry flames rose red.
There was chopping and shooting and when it done
Paul Bogle and the men knew they had to run.

They ran for the bush were they hoped to hide
But the soldiers poured in from Kingston side.
They took their prisoners to Morant Bay
Where they hanged them high in the early day.

Paul Bogle died but his spirit talks
Anywhere in Jamaica that freedom walks
Where brave men gather and courage thrills
As it did in those days in St Thomas hills.

Nov 04, 2008

Thank you Tierah
by: Wellesley

Many many thanks Tierah!
We really appreciate your help!

Please keep in touch.

Nov 16, 2008

Find it in [New Ships]
by: Mel

My sister and I are from the St. Thomas hills and we memorized Ballad of '65 when we were younger. You can find it in New Ships, an anthology of West Indian poems. Just a few corrections to the verses:

"The macca scratches"
"For he thought of the hungry St. Thomas men"
"but we hill men strong,
rouse up yourselves an we'll march all night"
"Paul Bogle and his men knew they had to run"

Oct 22, 2009

thank you
by: Anonymous

I have been searching for this poem for an assignment thanks so much for posting online

Oct 28, 2009

much appreciated
by: Anonymous

Similarly, I had an assignment and could not find the poem anywhere. Thanks for the posting.

Jan 22, 2010

Ballad of 65
by: Latoya

I remember having to learn this poem in All Age school. One of my fondness childhood memories.

Feb 15, 2010

Much Thanks
by: charmn

Thanks alot!!! It has awoken my childhood school memories of having to recite this poem for presentation.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to JamaicaQuestions

alma norman poem about paul bogle

Comments for alma norman poem about paul bogle

Comments for
alma norman poem about paul bogle