Back in 1898 our country heard the call to war
Some claimed that Cuban freedom was a cause worth fighting for
Pulitzer and Hearst weighed in to sway the nation’s will
And it wasn’t very long till we were taking San Juan Hill
The Maine went down and all around revengeful cries were heard
Although it wasn’t certain how that sinking had occurred
But it didn’t really matter ‘cause McKinley seized the quill
And next our Regiments were making plans for taking San Juan Hill
And what a story there to tell
Beyond the battle calls and cries
It was the ending of an empire, with another on the rise
Y’see it wasn’t only Cuba but the Philippines and more
We’d won the West so time to test our strength on foreign shore
It’s good for growth the leaders said, just watch your coffers fill
And so arose the legacy of taking San Juan Hill
For that “splendid little war” began the turning of the tide
With ships around the world our power couldn’t be denied
Foreign interventions then became the standard drill
We’re feeling repercussions yet for taking San Juan Hill
And there’s a lesson here to tell
I guess it’s one we’re learning still
You’d better know what’s on the other side, when you’re taking San Juan Hill
Jerry Harris
Durango
Editor's note: Jerry Harris submitted this poem in recognition of National Poetry Month’s 30th anniversary. An earlier version was inadvertently cut off in publication. We reprint it here in its entirety.
