The Last Poets is a group of poets and musicians who arose from the late 1960s African American civil rights movement's black nationalist thread. Their name is taken from a poem by the South African revolutionary poet Keorapetse Kgositsile, who believed he was in the last era of poetry before guns would take over.
The original Last Poets formed on May 19, 1968 (Malcolm X's birthday), at Marcus Garvey Park (formerly Mount Morris Park, at 124th Street and Fifth Avenue) in the East Harlem neighborhood of New York City. The original members were Felipe Luciano, Gylan Kain, and David Nelson.
The group continued to evolve via a 1969 Harlem writers' workshop known as "East Wind". Jalal Mansur Nuriddin, Umar Bin Hassan, and Abiodun Oyewole, along with percussionist Nilaja, are generally considered the primary and core members of the group, as they appeared on the group's 1970 self-titled debut (contracted by noted Jimi Hendrix producer Alan Douglas) and, in various combinations, on subsequent releases. Other early East Wind alumni, however -- Luciano, Kain, and Nelson -- recorded separately as "The Original Last Poets," gaining some renown as the soundtrack artists for the 1971 film "Right On!".
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On the Subway
The Last Poets Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I ducked a man digging on me
But the dude was hung in up in a massive confusion
as to who i was
he thought
he was trying to see
but you see but you see
me knowning me
complained you see my enemy
yes yes
yes i know him
i once slaved for him body and soul
and made him a pile of black gold
of the sweat of my labour he stole
but it's game it's game is on
we broke in the middle hole
things must change
there's no limit to our reign
he can never understand
the new black man
lets gone, see us everyday
riding the subway
8th ave, 7th ave, 6th ave,
i-n-d, b-m-t, i-r-t
he still hasn't dug me
he stares endlessly
blinking
blink blink
he's on the brink
about to sink
i asked you
shall i save him
can he be saved?
NO!
Next stop, 125th street
The Last Poets’s song “On the Subway” is an intense and thought-provoking spoken-word piece that explores the experiences of a black man travelling on the subway in New York City. The singer recalls an encounter with a man who was confused as to who he was, and while the singer remembers his past as a slave to his now-enemy, he asserts his determination to be free. He suggests that things must change and acknowledges that his enemy will never understand the new black man. The singer observes that he and others like him can be seen every day riding the subway, and wonders whether his enemy can be saved before concluding with the simple statement: “Next stop, 125th street.”
The poem presents a complex and layered commentary on race, power, and identity in America. The singer’s recollection of his past as a slave implies a long history of oppression that has led to his current struggle for freedom. His observation that his enemy continues to stare at him without understanding suggests a deeper failure of empathy and communication, and his question about whether the man can be saved seems to acknowledge the difficulty of bridging this gap. The final lines’ stark simplicity leave us with a sense of unfinished business and possibly, an opportunity for progress.
Line by Line Meaning
I ducked a man digging on me
I avoided a man who seemed to be paying close attention to me
But the dude was hung up in a massive confusion as to who I was
But this man was completely confused about my identity and couldn't figure out who I was
He thought he was trying to see but you see but you see me knowing me
He thought he was trying to get a better look at me, but little did he know that I know exactly who I am
Black crown and determined to be free
I am proud of my black heritage and am highly motivated to live as a free person
Complained you see my enemy yes yes yes I know him
I have a clear understanding of who my enemy is, and I have voiced my complaints about him
I once slaved for him body and soul and made him a pile of black gold
I used to work for this enemy and gave him everything I had, making him a wealthy man
Of the sweat of my labour he stole but it's game it's game is on we broke in the middle hole
He took advantage of me and stole the fruits of my hard work, but now the game is on and we have successfully disrupted his power
Things must change there's no limit to our reign
We must continue to push for change and will not be limited in our power
He can never understand the new black man
My enemy will never comprehend the strength and determination of the new generation of black men
Lets gone see us everyday riding the subway 8th ave 7th ave 6th ave i-n-d b-m-t i-r-t
Come and see us every day riding the subway trains of 8th, 7th, and 6th avenues, as well as the I-N-D, B-M-T, and I-R-T lines
He still hasn't dug me he stares endlessly blinking blink blink he's on the brink about to sink
My enemy is still puzzled by me and stares at me constantly, blinking and on the verge of collapsing
I asked you shall I save him can he be saved? NO!
I asked if I should spare my enemy and show him mercy, but the answer is a resounding no
Next stop, 125th street
The train is about to arrive at its next stop, 125th street
Contributed by Austin E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.