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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.



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Comments for alma norman poem about paul bogle

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Jul 07, 2015
 Refreshing
by: Sharna

I participated in a competition many years ago as a child in a group reciting this poem .

It was fun as we were dressed like slaves with our sticks...for years I could only remember parts of it....am now studying industrial relations and this peom just pop up in my head which helped me to understand much clearer the Trade Union Development in Jamaica ....

I will surely use.an excerpt.of this poem in examination tomorrow ...THANK. YOU! !!! NORMA
Jan 21, 2015
 WOW - A Living Legend!!!
by: Nicqi Ashwood

I am so awed to realize that THE Alma Norman is still alive and on the net! Way to go Lady Norman. I learnt your ballad from my sisters and then experienced firsthand later on.
Thank you so very much for helping us to appreciate our own real time history and providing a forum for it to stick to our active minds.
May God's blessings continue to be upon you (I don't mind the typos)
Jan 06, 2015
 Thanks Ms Norman!
by: Rainbow

I found myself reciting Ballad of Sixty-Five again in the shower the other day. Whenever I am homesick, it warms my heart to recite poems I learnt about Jamaica as a child.

Thank You Ms Norman for not only writing these, but going to the effort of publishing them too. (I bet you had a few knock backs in trying to get them published. I am having similar difficulties myself!)

I am a Shortwoodite myself,of the 'Miss Myers' era, so that brings back fond memories too...

Blessings.
Rainbow
Jan 05, 2015
 BALLADS OF JAMAICA
by: alma norman

hELLO EVERYONE

tHIS IS IS THE FIRST TIME i'VE COME HERE, AND i'M THRILLED TO READ YOUR COMMENTSW AND TO KNOW THAT MY POEMS HAVE REACHED AN APPRECIATIOVE AUDIOENCE. I WAS TEACHING AT SHORTWOOD cOLLEGE, AND THEN AT ALBAR, WAS WAS REASLLY ANGRY THAT JAMAICAN CHILDREN WERE LEARNING eNGLISH AND sCOTTISH BALLADS WHEN THERE WAS SO MUCH jAMAICAN HISTORY AND LEGEND THATTHJEY COULD ENJOY. sO i WROTE THES. tHE BOOK IS CALLED ballads of jamaica, AND THE POEM SOMEONE IS LOOKING FOR IS CALLED "THE CURSE OF ROSE HALL" and i too love THE REVOLTY OF CHIEF TACKY.

I'm old now 92, and don't see very well, so please excuser all my typos. And continue to enjoy thes BALLADS OF JAMAICA.
Jul 24, 2014
 one of the best.
by: Beverly

thank you for this poem. I remembered only the first three paragraph and now I can learn it again.
Jun 26, 2014
 Bogle and Tacky
by: Anonymous

Well done Barbara. You remember it well.

What acredit it is that we recall these rich poems almost seamlessly decades/generations later!

Anyone know the words for The Revolt of Chief Tacky?
Jun 26, 2014
 Ballad of 65 - by Alma Norman
by: Barbara

I actually recited this poem in front of live audiences some 30 something years ago when I was in elementary school in Jamaiaica. They use to have this program where we would practice at school and then go and compete against other schools.

Here is what I remember


The roads are rocky and the hills are steep
The macca scratches an the gullies deep
The town is far, news travels slow
And the mountain men have far to go

Bogle took his cutlass at Stoney Gut
And he look at the small heap of food he'd got
He shook his head and his thoughts were sad
"you caan wuk like a mule but the crop still bad."

Bogle got his men an he led them down
Over the hills to Spanish Town
They chopped their way and made a track
To the governor's house but he sent them back

As they trudged back home to Stoney Gut
Paul's spirit sank with each bush he cut
For he 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 find their yesterday

Then Bogle thundered, "dis ting is wrong"
"They think we weak, but we hill men strong."
"Rose up yourself, we'll march all night
to the Vestry House and we'll claim our rights

The Monday morning was tropic clear
As the men from Stoney Gut drew near
clenching their sticks in their naked hands
To claim their rights in their native lands

O' many mourned, and many were dead
That day when the Vestry flames rose red
There were chopping and shooting and when it dun
Paul Bogle an his men knew they had to run

They ran for the bushes where they hoped to hide
but the soldiers poured in from Kingston side
They took their prisoners to Morant Bay
Where they hung them high in the early days

Paul Bogle died, but his sprit talks
Anywhere in Jamaica where freedom walks
Where brave men gathers and courage thrills
As it did in those days in St. Thomas hills.
Oct 14, 2013
 thanks alot
by: Anonymous

I've been looking for this poem couldn't find it anywhere thanks for posting
Jul 10, 2013
 Finally
by: Wayne Clarke

I have been searching of this for the past 2 years in earnest and was unable to find it. My sister used to torture us with this ballad in the 1980s; she would break into it at the drop of a hat, and without provocation. Darling, dear sister Andrea, I did bot know I would miss hearing it so much! Thank you for making it an INDELIBLE part of my life. It is one of my all-time favourites especially as Paul Bogle is my hero, and the Morant Bay Rebellion a seminal moment in our history.
Feb 21, 2013
 What sense of great joy
by: J Johnson

I had the opportunity
to take hundreds of students reciting this poem at the National Festival of Arts. Missed it a lot and wondered so many times how valuable these cultural experience were back then. Would love to rebirth some of these experiences. If you read this and would love to join me give me a call
954-657-8941
Oct 01, 2012
 thank you are the best
by: ashley

thanks for the poem it i good advise to give my children
Oct 01, 2012
 thank you are the best
by: ashley

thanks for the poem it i good advise to give my children
Oct 01, 2012
 thank you are the best
by: ashley

thanks for the poem it i good advise to give my children
Sep 12, 2012
 Ballad of sixty five
by: natasha smith

my dautgher came home with a research on a famous west indian poet or poetess and i emediately asked her to choose alma norman.Because i haved loved that poem for thirty-one years.My heart fills with joy when i hear that poem ballad of sixty five.
Sep 12, 2012
 Ballad of sixty five
by: natasha smith

my dautgher came home with a research on a famous west indian poet or poetess and i emediately asked her to choose alma norman.Because i haved loved that poem for thirty-one years.My heart fills with joy when i hear that poem ballad of sixty five.
May 16, 2012
 thanks much
by: Anonymous

I am a government worker, so you would understand how much this poem resonate with me. especially now when they are talking about wage freeze.
Mar 04, 2012
 Poem by Alma Norman
by: Dawn T

Hi all. Love this site. Still trying to find the poem by Alma Norman called "The white witch of Rosehall." Anyone knows? Making me nutty as I can only recall a few lines here and there. If anyone knows of this poem please post it or tell me how to find it.
thanks,
Dawn
Nov 22, 2011
 idk
by: jada

the poem alrite
Nov 22, 2011
 idk
by: jada

the poem alrite
Sep 27, 2011
 Re Alma Norman's poetry
by: Dawn

I love this poen. Inf act I love all Ms Norman's poetry an hav e comitted a few to memory. Been trying to recall The White withch of Rosehall but only have lines anyhone know it?

Here are a few lines
Proud Annie hears what they tell about
And savagely tries ot curse them out
But.......

But on moonless evening when the sky is dark
And patoo mocks what his sharp eyes find
You cna hear Annies bitter suobs behind the crumbling walls of rosehall.


It is maddening. Does anyone know this one?
Sep 27, 2011
 Re Alma Norman's poetry
by: Dawn

I love this poen. Inf act I love all Ms Norman's poetry an hav e comitted a few to memory. Been trying to recall The White withch of Rosehall but only have lines anyhone know it?

Here are a few lines
Proud Annie hears what they tell about
And savagely tries ot curse them out
But.......

But on moonless evening when the sky is dark
And patoo mocks what his sharp eyes find
You cna hear Annies bitter suobs behind the crumbling walls of rosehall.


It is maddening. Does anyone know this one?
May 26, 2011
 I can say this poem
by: Hermin Wilson

I am so glad to find this poem by Alma Norman. I am to entertain students for child's month at my school, Windard Road Primary and Junior High. I learn this poem when I was at Primary School, St Joseph Girls School on Duke Street in the 60"s. Thank you it brings back memories.
May 15, 2011
 I Love This Poem
by: Joe

Thanks A Mill S G . It means alot to me I remember Mr.Jr teaching us this @ wood hall school
May 15, 2011
 I Love This Poem
by: Joe

Thanks A Mill S G . It means alot to me I remember Mr.Jr teaching us this @ wood hall school
Mar 09, 2011
 poem
by: Anonymous

this poem is very good my mom really liked it she liked it soooo much that at our church's African night on Friday she is going to recite it
Jan 09, 2011
 Another Alma Norman Poem
by: LadyO

I have been trying for a very long time to find the words to the poem, Sir Henry Morgan by Alma Norman. My search lead me to this thread. Hope someone can help. Thanks :o)
Nov 21, 2010
 Someone help me!
by: Garfield Gilbert/ Philadelphia,USA

For the last couple of years I've been trying to get this poem in its entirety but no success on that.Someone please help me! if this can be posted on line some where I'd appreciate it; this was my favorite piece of poetry in primary school some 45 yre ago.
Oct 21, 2010
 a very good poem
by: jevon richards

this is a very good poem and thank you to write this poem again it is very good
Jul 15, 2010
 So glad I fond it!!!
by: Rainbow

I learnt this poem at primary school too - Marlie Mount Primary in Old Harbour, and was trying to remember beyond verse three.

Thank you so much. I have been re-learning it, and reciting it to my boys here in Northern Ireland, and may well challenge them to learn it this summer. Oonu did learn Claude McKay's Poinsettia's Red in primary school tu???...
Jul 09, 2010
 Refreshing
by: maise

This has brought so much memories. I learned this poem at Spanish Town Primary (old Barrack)about thirty-nine years ago.

Yesterday I finished my Eng. Com. 200 class. We did a lot of poems, and that causes me to go in search for the best. I became so emotional reading it. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jul 09, 2010
 Refreshing
by: maise

This has brought so much memories. I learned this poem at Spanish Town Primary (old Barrack)about thirthy-nine years ago. Yesterday I finished my Eng. Com. 200 class. We did a lot of poems, and that causes me to go in search for the best. I became so emotional reading it. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!






















































































Jun 18, 2010
 themes used
by: Anonymous

what themes are used?
Apr 22, 2010
 Sweet Memories
by: VAS

I learned this poem at Kendall All Age School in Hanover, Jamaica and even dramatized it during our annual Heroes Day function. I was Paul Bogle of course.Now in need it to present at Sam Sharpe Teachers College in my communication skills class. This poem is the bomb!!!!!!
Apr 10, 2010
 Oh how sweet
by: Anonymous

I thank all of you wonderful people who have sent this poem. I have been asking all of my friends here in England about this poem but, none of them knew what I was talking about.

Thank you all so very much. At least I can now show them so they will know I wasn't crazy. They will know that what I have been saying all along is true.
Apr 09, 2010
 The Ballard Of Sixty Five
by: eric

I have read the poem in response to your comments however i think a small part is left out. The poem is one of Jamaicas best poem because it clearly dipicts the day,travellers,spirit,terrains and activities of the day.
Apr 03, 2010
 memories
by: rose

I learn this poem in the primary school in Brompton Jamaica - thanks for the 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.
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.
Oct 28, 2009
 much appreciated
by: Anonymous

Similarly, I had an assignment and could not find the poem anywhere. Thanks for the posting.
Oct 22, 2009
 thank you
by: Anonymous

I have been searching for this poem for an assignment thanks so much for posting online
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"
Nov 04, 2008
 Thank you Tierah
by: Wellesley

Many many thanks Tierah!
We really appreciate your help!

Please keep in touch.
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 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,

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