☝️ Key Points
- William L. Moore, a former mailman from Baltimore, advocates for the abolition of racial segregation in the United States and travels to the South to protest.
- He carries a sign with the message 'Black And White, Unite! Unite!' and receives support and praise from freedom-loving people on his journey.
- His journey takes him through Alabama, where he is confronted and warned by the sheriff. Nevertheless, he continues his way accompanied by a loyal dog.
- Despite suffering attacks and threats, he remains steadfast and receives secret support from a white woman who shares his message.
- Moore is murdered, but his sign remains as a symbol of his immortal fight for equality and unity.
Interpretation
The song lyrics 'Ballad of the Mailman William L. Moore' by
Wolf Biermann tell the true story of William L. Moore, a mailman from Baltimore who stood up against racial segregation in the United States. Each verse follows the weekdays on which the respective events took place.
On Monday, Moore decides he no longer wants to be a mailman and instead goes to the southern states to protest against racial segregation. He carries a sign that says 'Black And White, Unite! Unite!'.
On Tuesday, he is traveling on a train and people ask about the sign he is carrying. They wish him luck on his journey.
On Wednesday, he walks through Alabama and even though the journey to Birmingham is long and his feet hurt, he continues to carry his sign.
On Thursday, the sheriff confronts him and asks why he is advocating for the rights of Black people when he himself is White. Moore ignores the warning and continues on his way.
On Friday, a dog remains loyal to him and they become friends. They are pelted with stones, but they keep going.
On Saturday, a White woman secretly indicates that she shares his views.
On the last day, a Sunday, Moore is shot and lies in the green grass. Three red carnations bloom blood-red on his forehead. His sign with the message of equality and unity is left behind. The song lyrics end by saying that although he died alone, his message and his fight continue to live.