This page features a video of the poem “My People”, prescribed under the Karnataka State Syllabus for 6th Standard English Second Language. Along with its summary in three languages and transliterated songs. It serves as a valuable learning resource for students and parents, with each song accompanied by its respective lyrics for easy sing-along. The synchronized lyrics help learners follow and recite the song as it progresses, making memorization and learning by heart easier, more effective, and enjoyable.
Lyrics
English
They carry stones for building sites
They get kicked until they swoon
They die from hunger,
My people
They excavate gold, but they don’t get a meal;
They weave cloth, but they go naked,
My people.
They plough the field and they sow the seeds
They cut the crops and they are baked in the sun,
My people.
They come home empty handed
They heave a deep deep sigh
They live in misery,
My people.
They build the shops and they raise the bungalows
They get into heavy debts,
My people
When they collapse on the street, they don’t cry for
Help, they suppress their cries,
My people.
They pay interest through their noses,
They become ash in the fire of fiery speeches,
My people
For the God-loving men who eat their fill
They prepare foot-wear,
My people.
They fall at other’s feet, and they get kicked
They are so devoted,
My people.
They get kicked until they swoon
They die from hunger,
My people
They excavate gold, but they don’t get a meal;
They weave cloth, but they go naked,
My people.
They plough the field and they sow the seeds
They cut the crops and they are baked in the sun,
My people.
They come home empty handed
They heave a deep deep sigh
They live in misery,
My people.
They build the shops and they raise the bungalows
They get into heavy debts,
My people
When they collapse on the street, they don’t cry for
Help, they suppress their cries,
My people.
They pay interest through their noses,
They become ash in the fire of fiery speeches,
My people
For the God-loving men who eat their fill
They prepare foot-wear,
My people.
They fall at other’s feet, and they get kicked
They are so devoted,
My people.
Summary
This poem portrays the severe suffering of ordinary working people. They
carry stones, dig gold, weave cloth, farm fields, and build houses, yet
often remain hungry and poor. Their labour benefits others while they
themselves live with debt, misery, and insecurity. The repeated phrase
“my people” emphasizes the speaker’s concern for their condition. The
poem is a powerful criticism of exploitation and social inequality.
carry stones, dig gold, weave cloth, farm fields, and build houses, yet
often remain hungry and poor. Their labour benefits others while they
themselves live with debt, misery, and insecurity. The repeated phrase
“my people” emphasizes the speaker’s concern for their condition. The
poem is a powerful criticism of exploitation and social inequality.
Author