Emily Pauline Johnson

Give Us Barabbas

    There was a man - a Jew of kingly blood,
        But of the people - poor and lowly born,
    Accused of blasphemy of God, He stood
        Before the Roman Pilate, while in scorn
    The multitude demanded it was fit
        That one should suffer for the people, while
    Another be released, absolved, acquit,
        To live his life out virtuous or vile.

    "Whom will ye have - Barabbas or this Jew?"
        Pilate made answer to the mob, "The choice
    Is yours; I wash my hands of this, and you,
        Do as you will." With one vast ribald voice
    The populace arose and, shrieking, cried,
        "Give us Barabbas, we condone his deeds!"
    And He of Nazareth was crucified -
        Misjudged, condemned, dishonoured for their needs.

    And down these nineteen centuries anew
        Comes the hoarse-throated, brutalized refrain,
    "Give us Barabbas, crucify the Jew!"
        Once more a man must bear a nation's stain, -
    And that in France, the chivalrous, whose lore
        Made her the flower of knightly age gone by.
    Now she lies hideous with a leprous sore
        No skill can cure - no pardon purify.

    And an indignant world, transfixed with hate
        Of such disease, cries, as in Herod's time,
    Pointing its finger at her festering state,
        "Room for the leper, and her leprous crime!"
    And France, writhing from years of torment, cries
        Out in her anguish, "Let this Jew endure,
    Damned and disgraced, vicarious sacrifice.
        The honour of my army is secure."

    And, vampire-like, that army sucks the blood
        From out a martyr's veins, and strips his crown
    Of honour from him, and his herohood
        Flings in the dust, and cuts his manhood down.
    Hide from your God, O! ye that did this act!
        With lesser crimes the halls of Hell are paved.
    Your army's honour may be still intact,
        Unstained, unsoiled, unspotted, - but unsaved.