Blue-Tail Fly

1863, Detroit Riots, Again

53 1863, Detroit Riots, Again Recollections, 1895 Like patriots of old we’ll fight Our heritage to save. Harry Macarthy (“The Little Irishman”), “The Bonnie Blue Flag” 1. Johnny Friends, we grabbed the kegs, bat-boards, and hammers— alien they were. What kind of people are— look—act like— That is why we went, they were not of us. Low as animals they were, and we meant it to be a lasting lesson. 2. Timmy Down Lafayette Street Fort Street and Beaubian before the unholy masses, filled the holes we emptied them: stoned windows their dogs women— happy to chuck a few for the old sod— damned if we be lower than niggers again. 54 3. Bill We stopped at the pub in the Cork and celebrated— To the pride of Ireland, may we see her again— for her alone do we take up arms. 4. Abigail It wasn’t as if those women were such as me or me mam, or their children like my own darlin’ three. The haughty heifers wore their finery to unwashed rags. Showin’ off! Their black business in our faces. Our men, soon to be unemployed, with them breeding like hogs in a pen as if Detroit were theirs and theirs alone. 5. Todd Get the— we raced down the street but I tripped on the cobbles and could not keep up the fight, but I shouted for all to hear and limped along watching the smoke and fire bursts, clubs and stones I did not question— then. ...