Songs of Jamaica

First published in 1912, Songs of Jamaica is the debut poetry collection of Claude McKay—one of the most influential voices of the Harlem Renaissance. Written in both Standard English and Jamaican Creole, the poems capture the rhythms, landscapes, and everyday lives of the Jamaican people at the dawn of the twentieth century.McKay’s verses celebrate rural life, love, and faith while also addressing the hardships of poverty and colonial rule. By blending lyrical imagery with the cadences of Jamaican speech, Songs of Jamaica not only preserves cultural memory but also marks an early step toward a global Black literary tradition.A vivid portrait of Jamaica’s people, language, and spirit, this collection remains a cornerstone of Caribbean literature and an essential read for anyone interested in the roots of the Harlem Renaissance.