Original Poem：
1
Some say that Chattanooga is the
Old name for Lookout Mountain
To others it is an uncouth name
Used only by the uncivilised
Our a-historical period sees it
As merely a town in Tennessee
To old timers of the Volunteer State
Chattanooga is “The Pittsburgh of
The South”
According to the Cherokee
Chattanooga is a rock that
Comes to a point
They’re all right
Chattanooga is something you
Can have anyway you want it
The summit of what you are
I’ve paid my fare on that
Mountain Incline #2, Chattanooga
I want my ride up
I want Chattanooga
2
Like Nickajack a plucky Blood
I’ve escaped my battle near
Clover Bottom, braved the
Jolly Roger raising pirates
Had my near miss at Moccasin Bend
To reach your summit so
Give into me Chattanooga
I’ve dodged the Grey Confederate sharpshooters
Escaped my brother’s tomahawks with only
Some minor burns
Traversed a Chickamauga of my own
Making, so
You belong to me Chattanooga
3
I take your East Ninth Street to my
Heart, pay court on your Market
Street of rubboard players and organ
Grinders of Haitian colors rioting
And old Zip Coon Dancers
I want to hear Bessie Smith belt out
I’m wild about that thing in
Your Ivory Theatre
Chattanooga
Coca-Cola’s homebase
City on my mind
4
My 6th grade teacher asked me to
Name the highest mountain in the world
I didn’t even hesitate, “Lookout Mountain”
I shouted. They laughed
Eastern nitpickers, putting on the
Ritz laughed at my Chattanooga ways
Which means you’re always up to it
To get to Chattanooga you must
Have your Tennessee
“She has as many lives as a
cat. As to killing her, even
the floods have failed
you may knock the breath out of
her that’s all. She will re-
fill her lungs and draw
a longer breath than ever”
From a Knoxville editorial—
1870s
5
Chattanooga is a woman to me too
I want to run my hands through her
Hair of New Jersey tea and redroot
Aint no harm in that
Be caressed and showered in
Her Ruby Falls
That’s only natural
Heal myself in her
Minnehaha Springs
58 degrees F. all year
Around. Climb all over her
Ridges and hills
I wear a sign on my chest
“Chattanooga or bust”
6
“
HOLD CHATTANOOGA AT ALL HAZARDS
”—Grant to Thomas
When I tasted your big juicy
Black berries ignoring the rattle-
Snakes they said came to Cameron
Hill after the rain, I knew I
Had to have you Chattanooga
When I swam in Lincoln Park
Listening to Fats Domino sing
I found my thrill on Blueberry
Hill on the loudspeaker
I knew you were mine Chattanooga
Chattanooga whose Howard Negro
School taught my mother Latin
Tennyson and Dunbar
Whose Miller Bros. Department
Store cheated my Uncle out of
What was coming to him
A pension, he only had 6
Months to go
Chattanoooooooooooooooooga
Chattanoooooooooooooooooga
“
WE WILL HOLD THIS TOWN TILL WE STARVE
”-Thomas to Grant
7
To get to Chattanooga you must
Go through your Tennessee
I’ve taken all the scotsboros
One state can dish out
Made Dr. Shockley’s “Monkey Trials”
The laughing stock of the Nation
Capt. Marvel Dr. Sylvanias shazam
Scientists running from light-
ning, so
Open your borders. Tennessee
Hide your TVA
DeSota determined, this
Serpent handler is coming
Through
Are you ready Lookout Mountain?
“Give all of my Generals what he’s
drinking,” Lincoln said, when the
Potomac crowd called Grant a lush
8
I’m going to strut all over your
Point like Old Sam Grant did
My belly full of good Tennessee
Whiskey, puffing on
A.05 cigar
The campaign for Chattanooga
Behind me
Breathing a spell
Ponying up for
Appomattox!
Analysis and Interpretation of the Poem
This poem is a rich, evocative tribute to Chattanooga, a city in Tennessee, blending historical references, personal memories, and cultural imagery. It explores Chattanooga as a symbol of resilience, identity, and pride, weaving together Native American heritage, Civil War history, and modern cultural life.
The poem begins by addressing the different perceptions of Chattanooga—from an "uncouth" name to a proud symbol known as "The Pittsburgh of the South." The Cherokee interpretation of Chattanooga as "a rock that comes to a point" reflects the city's geographical and cultural significance, especially its famous Lookout Mountain.
The poet expresses a deep personal connection to Chattanooga, describing it as a place of challenge and adventure, referencing battles and escapes, symbolizing the struggles and triumphs of the region's history. The poem also celebrates the city's vibrant cultural life, mentioning streets full of music and dance, iconic figures like Bessie Smith and Fats Domino, and local landmarks such as Ruby Falls and Minnehaha Springs.
Historical allusions to the Civil War, including quotes from generals Grant and Thomas, highlight Chattanooga's strategic importance and the fierce determination of its defenders. The poet also touches on social issues, mentioning the Howard Negro School and the unfair treatment of workers, adding layers of social commentary.
Overall, Chattanooga is personified as a woman—strong, enduring, and nurturing—inviting the speaker to connect deeply with her spirit and landscape.
Background and Author Information
While the poem does not explicitly name its author, it reflects a deep familiarity with Chattanooga’s history and culture, suggesting the writer is either a native or someone who has extensively studied the area. The poem’s references span from Native American origins and Civil War battles to 20th-century cultural icons and social struggles, indicating a comprehensive view of Chattanooga’s evolving identity.
The poem may have been written as part of a cultural or historical project to celebrate Chattanooga’s unique place in American history and to inspire pride in its heritage. Its style combines free verse with vivid imagery and historical narrative, creating a layered and immersive experience.
Reflections and Personal Response
Reading this poem evokes a sense of admiration for Chattanooga’s resilience and diversity. The city emerges not just as a physical location but as a living symbol of endurance, cultural richness, and historical complexity. The poet’s passionate voice invites readers to see beyond the surface—to appreciate the struggles, the music, the natural beauty, and the human stories that shape Chattanooga.
The poem inspires reflection on how places carry meaning beyond geography, embodying memories, identities, and hopes. It encourages us to value local history and culture as essential parts of our collective heritage.
Educational Value and Learning Opportunities
This poem offers students and children valuable lessons in several areas:
- History: It introduces key events like the Civil War battles around Chattanooga, the Cherokee heritage, and social struggles such as racial injustice.
- Geography: Students learn about Lookout Mountain, Ruby Falls, and other landmarks, connecting physical geography with cultural identity.
- Literature: The poem is a rich example of imagery, personification, and historical allusion, useful for studying poetic devices.
- Cultural Studies: It highlights the blending of Native American, African American, and Southern cultures.
- Critical Thinking: The poem encourages analysis of how history and culture shape identity and how places can symbolize complex ideas.
In practical terms, students can use this poem to:
- Write essays or presentations on Chattanooga’s history.
- Explore how poetry can capture the spirit of a place.
- Discuss the role of cultural heritage in community pride.
- Connect historical events with modern social issues.
Reading Comprehension Questions
- What different meanings does the poem give to the name "Chattanooga"?
- How does the poem describe Chattanooga’s significance during the Civil War?
- What cultural elements are highlighted in the poem’s description of Chattanooga’s streets?
- How is Chattanooga personified in the poem?
- What historical figures and events are mentioned, and why are they important?
- How does the poem reflect the poet’s personal connection to Chattanooga?
- What social issues are touched upon in the poem?
- Why does the poet mention places like Ruby Falls and Minnehaha Springs?
- How does the poem use imagery to create a sense of place?
- What message do you think the poem conveys about the city of Chattanooga?
Answers to Reading Comprehension Questions
- The poem shows Chattanooga as an old name for Lookout Mountain, a town in Tennessee, a symbol of strength ("The Pittsburgh of the South"), and a rock that points, according to Cherokee tradition.
- Chattanooga is described as a strategic and fiercely defended city during the Civil War, with references to battles and generals’ orders to hold the town at all costs.
- The poem highlights music, dance, and cultural diversity, mentioning rubboard players, organ grinders, Haitian colors, Zip Coon dancers, and famous musicians like Bessie Smith.
- Chattanooga is personified as a woman—strong, resilient, nurturing, and full of life.
- Figures like Generals Grant and Thomas, and events like the Civil War battles and the “Monkey Trials,” are mentioned to emphasize Chattanooga’s historical and social significance.
- The poet expresses a deep personal bond, recalling childhood memories and cultural experiences tied to the city.
- The poem touches on racial injustice, social struggles, and economic hardships, such as the unfair treatment of workers and the importance of education.
- Ruby Falls and Minnehaha Springs symbolize natural beauty, healing, and the physical landscape that shapes Chattanooga’s identity.
- The poem uses vivid sensory details—music, sights, tastes, and historical echoes—to immerse readers in Chattanooga’s atmosphere.
- The poem conveys pride, resilience, and a deep emotional connection to Chattanooga as a place of history, culture, and enduring spirit.
