The NEW DAY

by Claude McKay

Thousands of years ago the Prophet said,
The lion and the lamb in peace will paly,
And by a little child they shall be led,
When Jesse's rod has flowered the New Day.
Because a golden Child to us is born,
Whose Light upon the earth shallnever cease,
Whose Music rustles in each blade of corn--
The Wonderful, the Mighty Prince of Peace.

And shall not all men black and brown and white,
Together work and play in harmony,
In his grand age of universal Light,
The Christ Child gave to man to make him free?
His power through the world must penetrate,
Till it is cleansed of cruelty and hate.

Interracial Review

March 1946

THE NEW DAY

Thousands of years ago the Prophet said,
The lion and the lamb in peace will play,
And by a little child they shall be led,
When Jesse's rod has flowered the New Day,
Because a golden Child to us is born,
Whose light upon the earth shall never cease,
Whose Music rustles in each blade of corn -
The Wondeful, the Mighty Prince of Peace.
And shall not all men black and brown and white,
Together work and play in harmony,
In this grand age of universal Light,
The Christ Child gave to man to make him free ?
His power through the world must penetrate
Till it is cleansed of cruelty and hate.

Interracial Review

March 1946