Salinye Posted July 10, 2003 Report Posted July 10, 2003 (I found this old poetry book in a suede cover called Bees in Amber. The author is John Oxenham and it was written in the late 1800's early 1900's. I found this particular poem entriguing and wondered if anyone knew which event in Brittish History he was talking about. He's written several poems that have to do with historical events, but this one I don't know. Anyone??) Macedonia 1903 Devils' work! Devils' work, my masters! Britain, you hands are red! You may close your heart but you cannot shirk This terrible fact,-- We--kept--the--Turk. His day was past and we knew his work, But he played our game so we kept the Turk. Britain, you hands are red! Red are the walls and the ways, And--Britain, you hands are red! There is blood on the hearth, and blood in the well, And the whole fair land is a red, red hell,-- Britain, your hands are red! "Come over! Come over and help us!" We are deaf to the ancient cry. -- "For the sake of our women and children!" And Britain stands quietly by. O Britain, your hands are red! Cleanse your hands, Britain! Yeah, cleanse them in blood if it must be! For blood that is shed in the cause of right Has power, as of old, to wash souls white. Cleanse you hands, Britain! O for the fiery grace of old, -- The heart and the masterful hand! But grace grows dim and the fire grows cold, We are heavy with greed and lust and gold, And life creeps low in the land. Break your bonds, Britain! Stand up once again for the right! We have stained our hands in the times that are past, Before God, we would wash them white. For the Nations are in the proving; Each day is judgment Day; And the peoples He finds wanting Shall pass--by the winding way. **Disclaimer** (I just thought that most likely this is a strong political statement, and in case anyone is sensitive to that, I'm not trying to make any statements. Just curious as to which event this Englishman was writing about. :0))
Peredhil Posted July 10, 2003 Report Posted July 10, 2003 Haven't a clue what Dunkerley (the Oxenford was a pen name taken from "Westward Ho!") was writing about, unless it was Britians 1882 annexing of Egypt. But that doesn't "feel" right. Dunkerley wrote several Hymns that are worth searching out if you like that kind of music.
Sorciere Posted July 10, 2003 Report Posted July 10, 2003 I think it refers to Britain's lack of aid during the Macedonian uprising until they saw benefit for themselves, but I may be wrong. There is an article here on it you may find interesting. Hope this helps.
Peredhil Posted July 11, 2003 Report Posted July 11, 2003 Oh. OH! The Macedonian uprising! That sounds like it could fit, and it fits what I know of his moral outlook. Good one Sorciere!
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