Songs of the Gallows-Birds

Md. Nurul Islam

[Jabdipur, Khulna the 28th April 2020: Tuesday]

Gallows

To inflict capital punishment, the Judge

On the serious accused, not on a grudge,

Rather considers witnesses and evidence;

Deviation makes the verdict of no credence.

Judge and the jury were unfairly prejudiced

Not paid heed to the words of accused a bit,

Sentenced to eight anarchists death penalty

Except Neebe to fifteen years' jail, all were guilty.

Grave speculations reflected in the verdict

That was imposed illegally on each anarchist,

Nay, that trial turned into a drunken farce

As Judge Gary’s notion was quite perverse.

Spies Fischer Parsons Engel were executed;

Albeit gallows-birds not guilty, afterward reputed,

Altgeld released Neebe, Schwab, and Fielden:

And lambasted Judge Gary that was biased then.

Spies uttered on the gallows: “There will be a time

When our silence will be more powerful paradigm

Than the voices you are throttling today.”

“Hurrah for anarchy!” said Engel last on heyday.

Albert Parsons’ final words in the execution area:

“Will I be allowed to speak, oh men of America?

Let me speak, Sheriff Matson! Let the voice

Of the people be heard! O—” cut by Alarm noise.

The songs, sung by those innocent gallows-birds:

Are incessant sources of struggle in the labor-hearts,

To reject all involuntary, coercive forms of hierarchy,

Evermore ring against duress crime as tunes of anarchy. 28

[All right reserved @ Md. Nurul Islam]

Hints: 

The subject matter is derived from an incidence of the 19th century occurred in the Haymarket, Chicago, of the then Aerica. Executed by hanging the four Chicago anarchists namely, August Spies, Albert Parsons, Adolph Fischer and George Engel on November 11, 1887 alleging of the Haymarket affair although their innocence was verified after the execution.