Case studies in the cultural and political uses of popular music poem 

By: Lauren Jernberg

In the dead of night evil chants are said

To summon the spirits of gang members.

The chanting voices have the sound of a

Person wrapped in velvet yearning to be

Free. The village down below has a veil

Over their eyes. They did not see the seed

That was planted long ago and what it

Now will cost them. The past does not leave you

No matter how hard you try to wash it

Away it lingers with you to the grave.

And even if it’s from yesterday the

Stench of rot is here to stay like being

Sick on a cold winters night. Roped in by

Secrets of a new age they send their young

To fend the raid. The children want to take

A peak from their nest up in the trees. They

Bet cents on who will win but all still hope

That in the end the gang will lose to us.

The young press on against the undead and

Hope that they, will in the end, go back home

And go to bed. Children peep out behind

Their windows to enrich themselves in what

Is going on. When all is said and done

The village found that they had won.

The victors of this fight were given great

Big jars of spice. Then someone get a

Microphone and says, ‘Thanks to all who fought

For us you saved us and we won’t

Forget the heroism you have lent.

Some of you gave your lives and we thank you.’