1st of August, 1838
‘O ye first of August freed men who now liberty enjoy
Salute the day and shout hurrah to Queen Victoria;
On this glad day the galling chains of slavery were broke
From off the necks of Afric’s sons who bled beneath its yoke.
With hearts and voice you should rejoice, to God the glory give.
Now freedom is your happy lot, as freedmen you should live
Your minds you ought to cultivate as well as till the ground,
And virtuous actions imitate wherein true bliss abound.
To your masters then you’ll fill a glass and drink with grateful glee,
And to all those of the same class who nobly set you free.
Then you should sing God Save the Queen, oh may she live forever;
Great Britain your true friend has been – forsake you may she never.’
Simon Christian Oliver (1838)
This is an historic poem. It is a very significant document on the Anniversary of Emancipation from slavery in the Caribbean. It holds some importance to Caribbean and Guyanese literature, perhaps in spite of, and perhaps because of it being quite unremarkable as