Content Analysis of “Freetown” by Gladys Casely-Hayford

“Freetown” by Gladys Casely-Hayford is a lyrical tribute to the natural beauty and divine origin of Freetown, the capital city of Sierra Leone. It presents the city as a deliberate and precious creation of God, and equates it to a sacred jewel lovingly crafted and adorned by the divine. In other words, the poem positions Freetown as a gift from God.

Freetown, the beautiful city depicted in the poem, was originally founded in the late 18th century as a settlement for freed African slaves, which is why it’s called “Freetown.” Gladys Casely-Hayford’s poem portrays the city as a symbol of freedom, heritage, and spiritual beauty. The poet is very proud of the city and wants readers to see it as a special place created by God.

Gladys Casely-Hayford (1904–1950) was a Sierra Leonean poet, teacher, and performer. She was part of a well-known family: her father, J.E. Casely-Hayford, was a famous Pan-Africanist and nationalist leader, and her mother was an educator. She was born in the Gold Coast (now Ghana) but later moved to Freetown, where her family had strong roots.

Gladys was one of the first women in West Africa to write poetry in African Pidgin English, and she also wrote in standard English. Her work often expressed African pride, cultural identity, and appreciation for the beauty of African life.

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• Freetown by Gladys Casely-Hayford
• Nativity by Gladys Casely-Hayford
• Content Analysis of Gladys Casely-Hayford’s “Nativity”
• Poem: “Rejoice” by Gladys Casely-Hayford

Structure of the Poem

“Freetown” is written in a single stanza of sixteen lines. The poem uses elevated, poetic language—words like thee, thy, spake, and Eternity. It relies heavily on nature imagery (palms, grass, hills, sea) and uses personification (e.g., grass reaching up “to kiss” palms).

Without doubt, the poem is a typical ode.

Line-by-line Analysis

Lines 1-2:

The poet imagines that when God created Freetown, He focused only on making its land special. Afterwards, He threw the leftover richness into the sea. This shows how unique and blessed the land is.

Lines 3-5:

God created “small (water) inlets” (l. 3) and bays surrounded by black stones and filled them with water from the Atlantic Ocean. The words make it feel peaceful and magical.

Line 6:

God brought birds or small creatures that make music: “wee harbingers of song.” This line adds to the sense of beauty and life in the portrayed Freetown.

Lines 7-9:

God planted many palm trees and “tall grasses,” which seem so joyful that they try to “kiss” the palm trees. This shows how alive and cheerful nature is in Freetown.

Lines 10-16:

God calls Freetown His precious “gem”, comparing it to a valuable turquoise jewel placed in the sea. This means He sees it as very beautiful and important.

Freetown still lies there, peaceful and calm, just as He made it. Then, God shaped the hills around the city to be like protective lions. These hills watch over Freetown in quiet strength.

Tone and Mood

Tone is the poet’s attitude towards the subject. The tone of “Freetown” is clearly reverent. The poet speaks of Freetown with great respect and awe as a sacred creation. She shows how precious the city is in her eyes (and those of God): “‘This is my gem … a jewel in blue turquoise set” (l. 10-11).

Mood, on the other hand, is the feeling the reader gets. The mood of the poem is peaceful and majestic. The description of calm bays, tall grass, and silent hills gives the reader a sense of tranquility. The grand description of the city in almost heavenly terms also creates a feeling of awe and wonder in the reader.

Figures of Speech in “Freetown”

1. Personification

Personification is a figure of speech that gives human qualities to non-human things. There are a few instances of personification in the poem.

One is in lines 8-9: “Tall grasses… reached up to kiss each palm tree”. Grasses are described as if they can reach up and kiss, like humans.

The other is in line 4: “Small bays of transient blue He lulled to sleep”. The bays are being lulled to sleep like babies to suggest that there is calmness.

2. Metaphor

Metaphor is a direct comparison between two things without using like or as. This is used in both lines 10 and 11: “’This is my gem!’ God whispered”; and “A jewel in blue turquoise set”. Freetown is called a gem to imply that it’s precious and beautiful. It is also compared to a jewel set in the sea, to emphasise its beauty.

3. Imagery

Imagery is a descriptive language that appeals to the senses. There is a good use of visual imagery in these expressions: “Jet black stone,” “palms profusely o’er the ground,” “mighty hill”. They help create vivid mental pictures of Freetown’s natural beauty.

4. Alliteration

Alliteration is the repetition of the same sound at the beginning of words. Examples of this are “palms profusely” (l. 7) and “rich remainder” (l. 2).

5. Repetition

“Silent” is repeated in lines 15 and 16 of the poem to add to the feeling of peace and protection in Freetown.

6. Symbolism

Symbolism is when an object or image is used to represent a deeper meaning. In line 14, “Lion-like” hills symbolise strength and protection of the hills over Freetown.

7. Apostrophe

Apostrophe is speaking directly to someone or something not present. It is often used in praise or address. In the poem, the poet addresses Freetown directly, as if it were a person: “Freetown, when God made thee…” (l. 1).

Themes in “Freetown”

The themes in “Freetown” include divine creation, natural beauty, and preciousness. Let’s look into some of them.

Theme of Divine Creation

The poem begins by presenting Freetown as a special creation of God. It suggests that its existence is not accidental but deliberate and sacred.

The lines “when God made thee, He made thy soil alone / Then threw the rich remainder in the sea” imply that God reserved the very best of the earth for Freetown and gave the rest to the sea.

This portrays Freetown as a divinely favoured land, chosen and formed with care. It gives the city a spiritual significance and projects it beyond a mere geographical location.

Theme of Natural Beauty

The poet uses vivid imagery to celebrate the physical charm of Freetown. Descriptions like “jet black stone,” “bays of transient blue,” “palms profusely,” and “tall grasses” create a rich, colourful picture of the city’s landscape.

These natural elements are brought to life through poetic devices like personification and sensory details. The theme of natural beauty shows how Freetown’s environment is peaceful, inviting, and uniquely beautiful. It portrays the city as a place where nature and divine intention coexist in harmony.

Theme of Preciousness

Beyond its beauty, Freetown is treasured. God’s whispered declaration “This is my gem!” and the description “a jewel in blue turquoise set” liken the city to a rare and valuable gemstone.

This metaphor elevates Freetown’s status to something almost royal or heavenly. It reflects a deep emotional and spiritual attachment to the city, and suggests that it is irreplaceable and eternal, like a jewel that never loses its shine.

The poet foregrounds Freetown’s uniqueness and worth with these expressions.

Protection and Stillness

In the final lines, the focus shifts from creation to preservation. The hills around Freetown are described as “lion-like”. They are said to keep watch over the city. The repeated word “Silent” points to this peaceful guardianship.

These hills are like silent protectors. They provide stability and calm to the city beneath them.

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