Songs of Jamaica poetry collection by Claude McKay

A long time ago in a galaxy far away I fancied myself a poet. Claude McKay was a name I was familiar with as someone who won many awards and received local and international recognition for his work as a writer, poet and journalist. When I saw that β€œSongs of Jamaica” by Claude McKay was being republished I decided to add it to my collection.

Favourite poems

Some of my favourite poems from the collection include:

  • ”Whe’ Fe Do?” a poem about hard times and how difficult it is to survive when poor and black.
  • β€œThe Bitter Bit” is about the challenges of farming and how the β€œrats” who might represent those who didn’t labour when the plants were growing often show up at the end to partake in the result of the hard work of others.
  • β€œThe Hermit” is about someone who decided to retreat to a solitary life in the wilderness living with woodland creatures and worrying about seasonal rains but being contented being alone and free.
  • ”Nellie White” is what seems like a sly guy sweet-talking poor Nellie but his intentions may or may not be as true as he states.
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Songs of Jamaica poetry collection by Claude McKay
Songs of Jamaica poetry collection by Claude McKay

Songs of Jamaica

Songs of Jamaica (1912) is a poetry collection by Claude McKay. Published before the poet left Jamaica for the United States. As a committed leftist, McKay was a keen observer of the Black experience in the Caribbean, the American South, and later in New York, where he gained a reputation. during the Harlem Renaissance for celebrating the resilience and cultural achievement of the African American community while lamenting the poverty and violence, they faced every day.

Songs of Jamaica - Claude McKay