A Parody on the Red, White, and Blue (1958)
by Charlotte Forten (1837-1914)
(to the tune of Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean)
Parody on Red White and Blue PDF
For the commemoration of Crispus Attucks’ death in the Boston Massacre and in protest of the Dred Scott decision. Ms. Forten is graduate of the Salem Normal School (Salem State University) class of 1856
My country, oh when wilt thou triumph
Over Slavery, that terrible sin?
‘Till freed from the curse, thou can’t never
Hope blessings from heaven to win.
Oh, when shall each child of our Father
Whatever his nation or hue,
Be protected throughout the dominions,
‘Neath the folds of the red, white, and blue
If thou, O Columbia, my country,
Wert truly the home of the free,
How gladly the hearts of the children
Would offer their homage to thee!
The mandates would make tyrants tremble,
If liberty’s form stood in view;
And summon brave men to assemble
‘Neath the folds of the red, white and blue.
Should war rage it’s wide desolation,
And threaten the land to deform,
We’d rally the men of the nation,
And laugh at the threatening storm;
With freedom, and hope and brave ardor,
We’d battle the miscreant crew,
And proudly aloft raise our banners,
With cheers for the red, white and blue.
The pure crystal nectar bring hither,
And a bumper fill up to the brim!
To a wreath that never will wither,
And a glory that cannot grow dim;
The wreath of the Goddess of Freedom,
The glory to justice e’en due;
When these shall adorn fair Columbia,
We’ll hurrah for the red, white, and blue
About Parody on Red, White and Blue
Charlotte Forten was a prominent African American abolitionist, poet, and educator. Born into a wealthy and politically active, free Black family in Philadelphia, she became deeply involved in anti-slavery activism at a young age. She attended Salem Normal School from 1854-1856 and was the first African American student to graduate. While in Salem, Forten attended anti-slavery meetings, wrote poetry and essays condemning slavery, and published work in abolitionist newspapers such as The Liberator. Her writings often addressed racial injustice and the hypocrisy of American democracy. After Normal School, Forten taught briefly in Salem Public Schools before bringing her talents to the Sea Islands of Georgia and South Carolina, then to Washington DC where she remained the rest of her life. This Parody was written and performed in 1858 for the annual commemoration of Crispus Attucks’ death in the Boston Massacre and in protest of the Dred Scott decision.
The Journal of Charlotte L. Forten 1854-1864