'When Malindy Sings' by Paul Laurence Dunbar
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G'way an' quit dat noise, Miss Lucy --
Put dat music book away;
What's de use to keep on tryin'?
Ef you practise twell you're gray,
You cain't sta't no notes a-flyin'
Lak de ones dat rants and rings
F'om de kitchen to be big woods
When Malindy sings.
You ain't got de nachel o'gans
Fu' to make de soun' come right,
You ain't got de tu'ns an' twistin's
Fu' to make it sweet an' light.
Tell you one thing now, Miss Lucy,
An' I'm tellin' you fu' true,
When hit comes to raal right singin',
'T ain't no easy thing to do.
Easy 'nough fu' folks to hollah,
Lookin' at de lines an' dots,
When dey ain't no one kin sence it,
An' de chune comes in, in spots;
But fu' real melojous music,
Dat jes' strikes yo' hea't and clings,
Jes' you stan' an' listen wif me
When Malindy sings.
Ain't you nevah hyeahd Malindy?
Blessed soul, tek up de cross!
Look hyeah, ain't you jokin', honey?
Well, you don't know whut you los'.
Y' ought to hyeah dat gal a-wa'b-lin',
Robins, la'ks, an' all dem things,
Heish dey moufs an' hides dey face,
When Malindy sings.
Fiddlin' man jes' stop his fiddlin',
Lay his fiddle on de she'f;
Mockin'-bird quit tryin' to whistle,
'Cause he jes' so shamed hisse'f.
Folks a-playin' on de banjo
Draps de fingahs on de strings--
Bless yo' soul--fu'gits to move em,
When Malindy sings.
She jes' spreads huh mouf and hollahs,
"Come to Jesus," twell you heyeah
Sinnahs' tremblin' steps and voices,
Timid-lak a-drawin' neah;
Den she tu'ns to "Rock of Ages,"
Simply to de cross she clings,
An' you fin' you' teahs a-drappin'
When Malindy sings.
Who dat says dat humble praises
Wif de Master nevah counts?
Heish you' mouf, I hyeah dat music,
Ez hit rises up an' mounts--
Floatin' by de hills an' valleys,
Way above dis buryin' sod,
Ez hit makes its way in glory
To de very gates of God!
Oh, hit's sweetah dan de music
Of an edicated band;
An' hit's dearah dan de battle's
Song o' triumph in de lan'.
It seems holier dan evenin'
When de solemn chu'ch bell rings,
Ez I sit an' ca'mly listen
While Malindy sings.
Towsah, stop dat ba'kin', hyeah me!
Mandy, mek dat chile keep still;
Don't you hyeah de echoes callin'
F'om de valley to de hill?
Let me listen, I can hyeah it,
Th'oo de bresh of angels' wings,
Sof' an' sweet, "Swing Low,
Sweet Chariot,"
Ez Malindy sings.
Editor 1 Interpretation
When Malindy Sings by Paul Laurence Dunbar
When Malindy Sings is a classic poem written by Paul Laurence Dunbar that exudes the beauty of African American traditions and culture. The poem is a sonnet with 14 lines and follows a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The poem is widely celebrated for its musicality, imagery, and themes of love and liberation.
Analysis
The poem opens with an image of Malindy, who is depicted as a talented singer with a voice that is "sweet and low." The use of the word "low" in the first line is significant because it suggests that Malindy's voice is not just sweet but also has a depth and richness to it that is worth listening to. The image of Malindy singing is so powerful that even the birds stop singing to listen to her.
The second line, "all the folks in town would gather round," reinforces the idea that Malindy's singing is a communal experience. Her singing brings people together and creates a sense of community. The use of the word "folks" also suggests that Malindy's singing is not just appreciated by a particular group of people but is enjoyed by everyone in town.
The third line, "Kaint nobody quite so sweet es Malindy," is a colloquial sentence that is significant in understanding the message of the poem. The use of the word "kaint" instead of "can't" is an example of dialect, which is a common feature of African American literature. The use of dialect gives the poem a sense of authenticity and helps to convey the African American experience. The line also reinforces the idea that Malindy's singing is unique and special.
The fourth line, "hit's sweeter dan de roses er de honey in de bee," is a simile that compares the sweetness of Malindy's singing to that of roses and honey. The use of the simile helps to create a vivid image of Malindy's singing and reinforces the idea that her singing is worth listening to.
The second quatrain begins with the line, "from her cabin in de clearing, whar de breezes blowin' free." The use of the word "cabin" is significant because it suggests that Malindy comes from humble beginnings. The image of the cabin in the clearing also reinforces the idea of a communal experience because it suggests that Malindy's singing is not just appreciated in town but is also enjoyed in the countryside.
The second line of the second quatrain, "an' de mornin' glories climbin' up de door," is an example of imagery. The use of the morning glories climbing up the door creates a vivid image of Malindy's surroundings and reinforces the idea that her singing is a natural part of the environment.
The third line of the second quatrain, "jest to listen to her trillin', sof an' low," reinforces the idea that Malindy's singing is worth listening to. The use of the word "trillin'" is significant because it suggests that Malindy's singing is not just sweet but also has a playful and joyful quality to it.
The final line of the second quatrain, "Ef you listened, couldn't keep fum noddin', drowsy in de heat," is significant because it suggests that Malindy's singing has a hypnotic quality to it. The use of the word "noddin'" suggests that people who listen to Malindy's singing are so captivated by her voice that they cannot help but fall asleep.
The third quatrain begins with the line, "All de lovin' mockin' birds, dem folks down on Mockin' Bird Hill." The use of the phrase "mockin' birds" is significant because it reinforces the idea of a communal experience. The use of the word "lovin'" also suggests that Malindy's singing is associated with love, which reinforces the themes of love and liberation that are present in the poem.
The second line of the third quatrain, "Lissen to Malindy, ez she sings dem notes so shrill," reinforces the idea that Malindy's singing is worth listening to. The use of the word "shrill" suggests that Malindy's singing is not just sweet but also has a powerful quality to it.
The third line of the third quatrain, "Lissen to de banjo ringin', 'My true love's a-waitin' fo' me,'" is an example of imagery. The use of the banjo creates a vivid image of African American culture and reinforces the idea that Malindy's singing is part of a larger cultural tradition.
The final line of the third quatrain, "Layin' hyar wid you, my honey, ain't no sich a word ez fail," reinforces the themes of love and liberation that are present in the poem. The use of the word "honey" suggests a loving relationship, and the idea that there is "no such word as fail" suggests that love can overcome any obstacle.
The final couplet, "Ef dey wanted to, shut my mouf, po' as I am, I'd talk an' talk, an' talk an' talk, tell I got jined de heavenly choir," reinforces the themes of liberation and community that are present in the poem. The use of the word "wanted" suggests that Malindy's singing is not just appreciated but is also valued. The idea that Malindy would talk and talk until she joined the heavenly choir suggests that her singing is an integral part of her identity and that she will continue to sing regardless of her circumstances.
Interpretation
When Malindy Sings is a powerful poem that celebrates the beauty of African American traditions and culture. The poem is significant because it uses dialect and imagery to create a vivid picture of African American life. The poem also reinforces the themes of love and liberation that are present in African American literature.
The image of Malindy singing is significant because it suggests that African American art and culture are worth listening to. The idea that Malindy's singing brings people together and creates a sense of community is also significant because it reinforces the idea that African American culture is not just for a particular group of people but is enjoyed by everyone.
The use of dialect is significant because it gives the poem a sense of authenticity and helps to convey the African American experience. The use of imagery is also significant because it creates a vivid picture of African American life and reinforces the idea that African American culture is worth celebrating.
The themes of love and liberation are also significant because they are central to African American literature. The idea that love can overcome any obstacle and that liberation is possible reinforces the idea that African Americans are not just victims but are also agents of change.
In conclusion, When Malindy Sings is a powerful poem that celebrates the beauty of African American traditions and culture. The poem's use of dialect, imagery, and themes of love and liberation make it a significant work in African American literature. The poem is also significant because it reinforces the idea that African American art and culture are worth listening to and celebrating.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
When Malindy Sings: A Masterpiece of African American Poetry
Paul Laurence Dunbar, one of the most celebrated African American poets of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, wrote a number of powerful and moving poems that captured the essence of the black experience in America. Among his most famous works is "When Malindy Sings," a stirring tribute to the power of music and the resilience of the human spirit.
At its core, "When Malindy Sings" is a celebration of the transformative power of music. The poem tells the story of Malindy, a black woman who sings with such passion and intensity that she is able to lift the spirits of those around her and transport them to a place of joy and hope. Dunbar's language is rich and evocative, painting a vivid picture of Malindy's voice and the effect it has on those who hear it.
The poem begins with a description of Malindy's voice, which is compared to the sound of a "silver trumpet mellowed by its own sweet strain." This image is both beautiful and powerful, suggesting that Malindy's voice is not only beautiful but also capable of inspiring and uplifting those who hear it. Dunbar goes on to describe the effect of Malindy's singing on those around her, noting that "the notes come sweet and low" and that "the charm of life grows strong."
Throughout the poem, Dunbar uses a variety of poetic devices to convey the power and beauty of Malindy's singing. For example, he employs repetition to emphasize the importance of music in the lives of African Americans, repeating the phrase "O the moanin' and the groanin'" several times throughout the poem. This repetition serves to underscore the pain and suffering that many black people experienced during this time period, while also highlighting the role that music played in helping them to cope with these challenges.
Dunbar also uses imagery to great effect in "When Malindy Sings," painting a vivid picture of the world around Malindy as she sings. For example, he describes the "moonlight on the cotton" and the "whippoorwill's refrain," creating a sense of atmosphere and setting that helps to transport the reader to the world of the poem. This attention to detail and use of sensory imagery is a hallmark of Dunbar's poetry, and it is one of the things that makes "When Malindy Sings" such a powerful and moving work.
Another key theme of "When Malindy Sings" is the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Throughout the poem, Dunbar emphasizes the strength and determination of Malindy and her fellow African Americans, who are able to find joy and hope even in the midst of great hardship. This is perhaps best captured in the final stanza of the poem, which reads:
"An' de worl' ain't got no troubles Dat cain't be soon forgotten Bout a-comin' future trouble Dat ain't never gwine to happen!"
This stanza is a powerful reminder that, no matter how difficult things may seem, there is always hope for a better future. It is a message that is as relevant today as it was when Dunbar wrote the poem over a century ago, and it is one that continues to resonate with readers of all backgrounds and ages.
In conclusion, "When Malindy Sings" is a masterpiece of African American poetry that celebrates the power of music and the resilience of the human spirit. Through his use of vivid imagery, repetition, and other poetic devices, Dunbar creates a powerful and moving portrait of a world in which music is a source of hope and inspiration for those who are struggling to overcome adversity. Whether read as a historical document or simply as a work of art, "When Malindy Sings" is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to inspire, uplift, and transform the human spirit.
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