Read the stanzas below from the poem “Ballad of Birmingham” by Dudley Randall and answer the question that follows. “Mother dear, may I go downtownInstead of out to play,And march the streets of BirminghamIn a Freedom March today?” “No, baby, no, you may not go,For the dogs are fierce and wild,And clubs and hoses, guns and jailsAren’t good for a little child.” “But, mother, I won’t be alone.Other children will go with me,And march the streets of BirminghamTo make our country free.” “No, baby, no, you may not go,For I fear those guns will fire.But you may go to church insteadAnd sing in the children’s choir.” What is ironic about the mother’s wishes?

Question

Read the stanzas below from the poem “Ballad of Birmingham” by Dudley Randall and answer the question that follows. “Mother dear, may I go downtownInstead of out to play,And march the streets of BirminghamIn a Freedom March today?” “No, baby, no, you may not go,For the dogs are fierce and wild,And clubs and hoses, guns and jailsAren’t good for a little child.” “But, mother, I won’t be alone.Other children will go with me,And march the streets of BirminghamTo make our country free.” “No, baby, no, you may not go,For I fear those guns will fire.But you may go to church insteadAnd sing in the children’s choir.” What is ironic about the mother’s wishes?

Revolt · Accepted Answer

The church will prove just as dangerous as the protest.

Lyrics and Poetry: The Birmingham Church Bombing

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