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In Gun We Trust
(For those heroic American children on their historic MARCH FOR LIFE)
In this Land of the Free and Brave
The god of the gun is on rampage again
Say, in the Land of the Brave
The god of the gun in on rampage again
A brainless rifle mows down a score souls
We’re thrown into panic, the customary pain
Columbine, Sandy Hook, Las Vegas
Corpses, more corpses, in all a rowdy row
Say, Columbine, Sandy Hook, Las Vegas
Corpses, corpses, and all the rowdy row
In these morbid orgies and their rivers of blood
Death marches on, with Madness in tow
In this strange jungle of shoot-and- go
The NRA* dons the scariest stripe
Yes, this strange jungle of shoot-and- go
The NRA dons the scariest stripe
It fuels the madness and bribes the base
And buys support from the Capitol Tribe
Blood all over in an innocent classroom
Blood on the field among the concert crowd
Ha gbaga!**, bold all over in an innocent classroom
Blood on the field among the concert crowd
The Riflemen saw the work of their fiery charge
Oh how so elated, how compellingly proud!
“Thoughts an’ prayers”, “Thoughts ‘n prayers”
Crocodile tears enough to float a ship to hell
Hun, “Thoughts ‘n prayers”, “Thoughts ‘n prayers”
Crocodile tears enough to float a ship to hell
A vain, inglorious Emperor, a fawning ruling clique
But the children are out, hitting, about to yell
— Niyi Osundare
“In Gun We Trust” by Niyi Osundare is a poem that criticises the gun violence crisis in America. It depicts the frequent mass shootings in schools, concerts, and public places. The poem shows how guns have become almost like a “god” in the U.S., given that they are worshipped and protected more than human lives.
The poem alludes to the tragic events in places like Columbine, Sandy Hook, and Las Vegas to demonstrate how innocent people keep dying, while NRA (National Rifle Association) continue to support gun use for profit and power.
To make matters worse, politicians only offer “thoughts and prayers” instead of real action. They do not take any preventive measures. This is why the poet calls whatever sympathy they claim to have for the gunned victims fake and useless, like crocodile tears.
The poem ends on a note of resilient hope. Young people are speaking up and marching for change, refusing to stay silent. The poem is thus a call for ending gun violence in America.
Glossary:
- NRA: National Rifle Association, custodian and champion of America’s gun culture.
- Gbaga: Alas!
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