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If We Must Die
"If We Must Die" by Claude McKay
If we must die—let it not be like hogs
Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot,
While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs,
Making their mock at our accursed lot.
If we must die—oh, let us nobly die,
So that our precious blood may not be shed
In vain; then even the monsters we defy
Shall be constrained to honor us though dead!
Oh, Kinsmen! We must meet the common foe;
Though far outnumbered, let us show us brave,
And for their thousand blows deal one deathblow!
What though before us lies the open grave?
Like men we’ll face the murderous, cowardly pack,
Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back!
If we must die—let it not be like hogs
Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot,
While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs,
Making their mock at our accursed lot.
If we must die—oh, let us nobly die,
So that our precious blood may not be shed
In vain; then even the monsters we defy
Shall be constrained to honor us though dead!
Oh, Kinsmen! We must meet the common foe;
Though far outnumbered, let us show us brave,
And for their thousand blows deal one deathblow!
What though before us lies the open grave?
Like men we’ll face the murderous, cowardly pack,
Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back!
Audiobook
First published January 1, 1919
5 people are currently reading
207 people want to read
About the author
Claude McKay
126 books245 followersJamaican-born American writer Claude McKay figured prominently in the Harlem renaissance of the 1920s; his works include collections of poetry, such as
Constab Ballads
(1912), and novels, including
Home to Harlem
(1928).
Home to Harlem, a best-seller, won Festus Claudius McKay, a poet and a seminal figure, the Harmon gold award for literature.
He also wrote novels Banjo and Banana Bottom . People not yet published his manuscript, called Amiable with Big Teeth: A Novel of the Love Affair between the Communists and the Poor Black Sheep of Harlem , of 1941.
McKay also authored collections of poetry, a collection of short stories, Gingertown . He authored two autobiographical books, A Long Way from Home and My Green Hills of Jamaica , published posthumously. He entitled a non-fiction, socio-historical treatise Harlem: Negro Metropolis . People published his poetry collection, Harlem Shadows , in 1922 among the first books during the Harlem renaissance. Survivors published his Selected Poems posthumously in 1953.
Home to Harlem, a best-seller, won Festus Claudius McKay, a poet and a seminal figure, the Harmon gold award for literature.
He also wrote novels Banjo and Banana Bottom . People not yet published his manuscript, called Amiable with Big Teeth: A Novel of the Love Affair between the Communists and the Poor Black Sheep of Harlem , of 1941.
McKay also authored collections of poetry, a collection of short stories, Gingertown . He authored two autobiographical books, A Long Way from Home and My Green Hills of Jamaica , published posthumously. He entitled a non-fiction, socio-historical treatise Harlem: Negro Metropolis . People published his poetry collection, Harlem Shadows , in 1922 among the first books during the Harlem renaissance. Survivors published his Selected Poems posthumously in 1953.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 28, 2017
I think sharing the poem justifies my rate. Here it is:
If we must die, let it not be like hogs
Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot,
While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs,
Making their mock at our accursèd lot.
If we must die, O let us nobly die,
So that our precious blood may not be shed
In vain; then even the monsters we defy
Shall be constrained to honor us though dead!
O kinsmen! we must meet the common foe!
Though far outnumbered let us show us brave,
And for their thousand blows deal one death-blow!
What though before us lies the open grave?
Like men we’ll face the murderous, cowardly pack,
Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back!
Claude McKay, the noble poet.
If we must die, let it not be like hogs
Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot,
While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs,
Making their mock at our accursèd lot.
If we must die, O let us nobly die,
So that our precious blood may not be shed
In vain; then even the monsters we defy
Shall be constrained to honor us though dead!
O kinsmen! we must meet the common foe!
Though far outnumbered let us show us brave,
And for their thousand blows deal one death-blow!
What though before us lies the open grave?
Like men we’ll face the murderous, cowardly pack,
Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back!
Claude McKay, the noble poet.
December 3, 2019
Powerful.
February 12, 2026
«So that our precious blood may not be shed
In vain; then even the monsters we defy
Shall be constrained to honor us though dead.»
In vain; then even the monsters we defy
Shall be constrained to honor us though dead.»
July 19, 2020
Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back!
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April 29, 2017Claude McKay's poem If We Must Die details his experience as an African American living in American in the early 20th Century. His poem reflects his feelings on the conflict over black versus white, thus characterizing this as a poem that discusses "struggle." When using this in the classroom, this poem should be read aloud as a class. Then, the students should practice reflective writing by pulling 6 words from this poem. Using those 6 words, students will create their own memoir poem with the prompt: Describe a hard moment in your life. In using Gallagher's strategy, students are not only practicing reflective writing, they are also thinking about their life critically. By writing a poem describing a hardship they have experienced, they are using Claude McKay's poem as a model text towards their poems.
November 9, 2016
This is one of my favorite poems.
I have loved this poem since I was 14. It spoke to me then just as much as it does now. Now I can have it with me at all times.
I have loved this poem since I was 14. It spoke to me then just as much as it does now. Now I can have it with me at all times.
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April 16, 2021This poem was written by Claude McKay, who is best known for being a poet during the Harlem Renaissance. The background of this poem is that McKay is discussing death and how to face it with dignity. It is not explicitly said, but it is likely that this poem is specifically discussing the death of African Americans during this time. Because of the time it wad written in, it is likely that McKay was attempting to portray the thoughts and emotions that African Americans were experiencing during this time.
This poem, at first glance, is a difficult one to pick out the concept of voice. However, after a closer read, McKay includes certain words and phrases that expose voice within. One of the most relevant aspects in this is the theme of dignity. In this poem, it is facing death with dignity. For a middle schooler, this is much different. It may be taking a test with dignity. Or, on a more serious note, facing a certain consequence with dignity. Voice can be used in a number of ways in this poem to relate to the live of a middle school student, which make it more engaging and interesting.
When it comes to a trait, this poem would serve as a mentor text for word choices. There are good questions to ask such as "how do certain words create the feeling of dignity?" Throughout the poem, McKay uses wording such as "precious blood" or "monsters" to reveal exactly how African Americans were feeling during this tumultuous time. Examining word choice, relating it to themes, and finally connecting it to the concept of voice would be an effective way to work with this poem.
The Ballot Box is a writing strategy that would be helpful when looking at this poem. Due to the fact that it is dealing with pretty heavy content, it is important to know what is being said and what is NOT being said. Taking something such as a Newspaper Ad and having students evaluate the voice and wording to determine what is being said would relate to this poem. After looking at the Ad, students can reflect back on the poem to identify new meanings or ideas.
This poem, at first glance, is a difficult one to pick out the concept of voice. However, after a closer read, McKay includes certain words and phrases that expose voice within. One of the most relevant aspects in this is the theme of dignity. In this poem, it is facing death with dignity. For a middle schooler, this is much different. It may be taking a test with dignity. Or, on a more serious note, facing a certain consequence with dignity. Voice can be used in a number of ways in this poem to relate to the live of a middle school student, which make it more engaging and interesting.
When it comes to a trait, this poem would serve as a mentor text for word choices. There are good questions to ask such as "how do certain words create the feeling of dignity?" Throughout the poem, McKay uses wording such as "precious blood" or "monsters" to reveal exactly how African Americans were feeling during this tumultuous time. Examining word choice, relating it to themes, and finally connecting it to the concept of voice would be an effective way to work with this poem.
The Ballot Box is a writing strategy that would be helpful when looking at this poem. Due to the fact that it is dealing with pretty heavy content, it is important to know what is being said and what is NOT being said. Taking something such as a Newspaper Ad and having students evaluate the voice and wording to determine what is being said would relate to this poem. After looking at the Ad, students can reflect back on the poem to identify new meanings or ideas.
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January 15, 2024Read this with my 6th graders last year didn't know they put this on goodreads
May 13, 2025
If we have to die, let us die with honor so our bled shed amounts to somethind
October 23, 2025
"Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back!”
December 29, 2025
4/5
An moving poem about history that should be more known
An moving poem about history that should be more known
August 11, 2024
[Arte que descubro gracias a Kendrick Lamar #2]
June 27, 2014
If we must die, let it not be like hogs
Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot,
While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs,
Making their mock at our accursèd lot.
If we must die, O let us nobly die,
So that our precious blood may not be shed
In vain; then even the monsters we defy
Shall be constrained to honor us though dead!
O kinsmen! we must meet the common foe!
Though far outnumbered let us show us brave,
And for their thousand blows deal one death-blow!
What though before us lies the open grave?
Like men we’ll face the murderous, cowardly pack,
Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back!
In this poem, he called out to his “kinsmen” (9) to unite and stand up to their enemy, face-to-face. He doesn’t want to continue to be “Hunted and penned” (2) like animals. Line 4, “Making their mock at our accurséd lot” shows white dominance and how they make fun of blacks’ run-down houses; this mocking upsets and degrades the blacks. He is displeased about the whites’ constant unfairness towards them; not treating them like equals or respecting them as human beings. He stressed that if they “must die” (5), they mustn’t die “like hogs” (1) but die nobly with dignity while fighting for what they strive to achieve. However, he feels that the fight for justice may be a difficult battle and so taking this first small step is a must for the long journey ahead. McKay pointed out that their bloods are also “precious blood” (6) that shouldn’t be shed for no reason. He realized that they are no match for their enemy and are “far outnumbered” (10). Still, they shouldn’t be cowards. Instead, they should bravely go against them head-on. He motioned towards the fact that they have nothing to lose, but so much that they can possibly gain, so why not fight and try to accomplish something?
Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot,
While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs,
Making their mock at our accursèd lot.
If we must die, O let us nobly die,
So that our precious blood may not be shed
In vain; then even the monsters we defy
Shall be constrained to honor us though dead!
O kinsmen! we must meet the common foe!
Though far outnumbered let us show us brave,
And for their thousand blows deal one death-blow!
What though before us lies the open grave?
Like men we’ll face the murderous, cowardly pack,
Pressed to the wall, dying, but fighting back!
In this poem, he called out to his “kinsmen” (9) to unite and stand up to their enemy, face-to-face. He doesn’t want to continue to be “Hunted and penned” (2) like animals. Line 4, “Making their mock at our accurséd lot” shows white dominance and how they make fun of blacks’ run-down houses; this mocking upsets and degrades the blacks. He is displeased about the whites’ constant unfairness towards them; not treating them like equals or respecting them as human beings. He stressed that if they “must die” (5), they mustn’t die “like hogs” (1) but die nobly with dignity while fighting for what they strive to achieve. However, he feels that the fight for justice may be a difficult battle and so taking this first small step is a must for the long journey ahead. McKay pointed out that their bloods are also “precious blood” (6) that shouldn’t be shed for no reason. He realized that they are no match for their enemy and are “far outnumbered” (10). Still, they shouldn’t be cowards. Instead, they should bravely go against them head-on. He motioned towards the fact that they have nothing to lose, but so much that they can possibly gain, so why not fight and try to accomplish something?
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December 17, 2014angry sonnet
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews