O Captain! My Captain!
O Captain! My Captain! is Walt Whitman's moving tribute to President Abraham Lincoln following his assassination. It is perhaps, his best poem.
A national tragedy
On April 9, 1865, General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant, helping to bring to an end the Civil War – one of the worst periods in the history of the United States.
Presiding over the Union was President Abraham Lincoln; his was an administration that sought to restore the Union even at the price of over 700,000 dead on the battlefield.
But in April 1865, with the war finally coming to an end, President Lincoln's spirits were high. Though he had barely started his second term, he spoke of things he might do after his presidency ends – such as going to the Holy Land.
During this time of high spirits, he and his wife Mary decided to go to the theater. The comedy that was playing, Our American Cousin, revolved around a Vermont “Hick” visiting his well cultured relations in England. So, on the night of April 14, 1865, they stepped out for an evenings entertainment.
They would not see the end of the play.
During the play the famous actor and southern sympathizer, John Wilkes Booth, sneaked into his booth, places a pistol just behind Lincoln's head and pulled the trigger.
The President was whisked to a house across the street for medical attention. Tragically, he died early the following morning.
The news of his death shook the whole nation, even in the formerly Confederate states. He wasn't the first president to die in office, but he was the first one killed. Not only that, but this tragedy comes after years of war. People dealt with death and destruction, now the president himself is killed.
National shock and despair were the words of the day.
His body was laid in state in Washington D.C., then taken by train to different cities , ending back in Illinois.
Abraham Lincoln, laying in-state
Some items of trivia:
Historically, bodies were not usually embalmed. However, since Lincoln had wished to be embalmed, it became more fashionable.
While the funeral procession was in New York City it was viewed by a young boy named Theodore. Later, this boy would grow up to become president himself – Theodore Roosevelt.
Among the many who felt the loss was a poet and Lincoln supporter named Walt Whitman.
He penned a poem that expressed the deep feelings of many in those dark times.
The poem
The narrator begins by addressing the captain (Abraham Lincoln) of the ship (the Union). The awful storm (the war) is over and the ship is safely arriving to port (peace). 'tis a time of rejoicing.
O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done,
The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won,
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;
And yet, at this time of collective relief and rejoicing, it is realized that the faithful captain is no longer alive.
But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up- for you the flag is flung- for you the bugle trills,
For you bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths- for you the shores a-crowding,
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
Here Captain! dear father!
This arm beneath your head!
It is some dream that on the deck,
You’ve fallen cold and dead.
My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still,
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will,
The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done,
From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won;
Exult O shores, and ring O bells!
But I with mournful tread,
Walk the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
A beautiful tribute!
Great Books
"They Have Killed Papa Dead!": The Road to Ford's Theatre, Abraham Lincoln's Murder, and the Rage for Vengeance
As the name suggests, this book highlights the course of events leading up to Lincoln being killed. I loved how it is full of stories that paint a good picture of the character of Lincoln as well as John Wilkes Booth's path to being an assassin.
Lincoln: An Illustrated Biography
A great book! This book is mostly historical photos with some text giving the story of Abraham Lincoln's life and allows the reader to get to know him better. The second half focuses on his presidency and spends a page summarizing each month as president.
On the web
Sai Kolla: "O Captain! My Captain!" by Walt Whitman
This 10th-grade girl gives a very moving rendition of the poem O Captain! My Captain!
The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln Explained
This video describes the efforts of John Wilkes Booth and his co-conspirators to kill Lincoln and other Federal dignitaries.
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