'When de Saint Go Ma'chin' Home': Sterling Brown's Blueprint for a New Negro Poetry

Authors

Robert B. Stepto

Abstract

Perhaps it is fitting in celebrating Sterling Brown's eightieth birthday and career of great achievement to turn once again to his first published poem, 'When de Saints Go Ma'chin' Home'.' It is a Big Boy Davis poem - the 'guitar·plunkin" singer of marching saints is Big Boy - and it is the only 'Big Boy' poem specifically dedicated to him.' The dedication reads:

(To Big Boy Davis, Friend.

In Memories of Days Before He Was

Chased Out of Town for Vagrancy.)

Recommended Citation

Stepto, Robert B., 'When de Saint Go Ma'chin' Home': Sterling Brown's Blueprint for a New Negro Poetry, Kunapipi, 4(1), 1982.
Available at:https://ro.uow.edu.au/kunapipi/vol4/iss1/9