Oh! tell me not of fatherland Far, far beyond the deep blue sea; Of fruitful soil -- of golden sand; Of orange groves, and cocoa tree -- My mother breathed the inspiring air, That sweeps along our craft-filled sea; And here my father lisped his prayer; This is a fatherland to me. Oh! tell me not that God appoints, The sable man Afric too free; Whom he selects -- whom he annoints He'll make the path of duty see: Oh! tell me not of power, and place, Of wealth, of pomp, and luxury -- Of the improvement of my race, When transplanted beyond the sea. God ne'er but one race made to dwell, Beneath the broad o'erarching sky; There's but one heaven -- but one hell, And but one vast eternity; And whereso'er he warms the soul Into our mortal bodies, -- there Without intrusion or control, We may abide if anywhere. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...YOUTH'S PROGENY by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON A PLANTATION BACCHANAL by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON FREE FANTASIA ON JAPANESE THEMES by AMY LOWELL THE STARLING; SONNET by AMY LOWELL TO GOD THE FATHER by KATHERINE MANSFIELD |