Oh Who Is That Young Sinner

Alfred Edward Housman

Oh who is that young sinner with the handcuffs on his wrists?
And what has he been after that they groan and shake their fists?
And wherefore is he wearing such a conscience-stricken air?
Oh they're taking him to prison for the color of his hair.

'Tis a shame to human nature, such a head of hair as his;
In the good old time 'twas hanging for the color that it is;
Though hanging isn't bad enough and flaying would be fair
For the nameless and abominable color of his hair.

Oh a deal of pains he's taken and a pretty price he's paid
To hide his poll or dye it of a mentionable shade;
But they've pulled the beggar's hat off for the world to see and stare,
And they're taking him to justice for the color of his hair.

Now 'tis oakum for his fingers and the treadmill for his feet,
And the quarry-gang on Portland in the cold and in the heat,
And between his spells of labor in the time he has to spare
He can curse the God that made him for the color of his hair. 

Next 10 Poems

• Alfred Edward Housman : Oh, When I Was In Love With You
• Alfred Edward Housman : On Moonlit Heath And Lonesome Bank
• Alfred Edward Housman : On The Idle Hill Of Summer
• Alfred Edward Housman : On Wenlock Edge The Wood's In Trouble
• Alfred Edward Housman : On Your Midnight Pallet Lying
• Alfred Edward Housman : Others, I Am Not The First
• Alfred Edward Housman : Reveille
• Alfred Edward Housman : Say, Lad, Have You Things To Do?
• Alfred Edward Housman : Shot? So Quick, So Clean An Ending?
• Alfred Edward Housman : Stars

Previous 10 Poems

• Alfred Edward Housman : Oh Stay At Home, My Lad
• Alfred Edward Housman : Oh See How Thick The Goldcup Flowers
• Alfred Edward Housman : Oh Fair Enough Are Sky And Plain
• Alfred Edward Housman : O Why Do You Walk ( A Parody )
• Alfred Edward Housman : Now Hollow Fires Burn Out To Black
• Alfred Edward Housman : March
• Alfred Edward Housman : Loveliest Of Trees, The Cherry Now
• Alfred Edward Housman : Look Not In My Eyes, For Fear
• Alfred Edward Housman : Loitering With A Vacant Eye
• Alfred Edward Housman : It Nods And Curtseys And Recovers