The Smoky Sky
By Alan Gilfoy in the world of Suzanne Collins and based on The Foggy Dew by Charles O'Neill. Presented in-character as a poem written by Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, set to music as Panem's new national anthem
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'Twas down the tunnels in early fall, to Hangar we all walked
Where four hundred fifty one rebel squads all marched on by
No whistler hummed, no fiddler strummed, but pressure it did drum -
For cannon peals, that mortician's tune, would ring out in the smoky sky.
.
The thousands knew and still proudly flew out west towards the fight.
'Twas better to die in Cap'tal streets than at gallows or whipping post.
Through the meadow Hawthorne's exiles had all come hurrying through
They had watched while Snow's forces made burning rubble of all they knew
.
Now Coin bade Little Duck go; she took so well to healer's arts
Her lonely grave brings only a mother and sister's broken hearts
With one evil vanquished, Alma becomes another; I must ask why.
With an arrow to her knee, now clears the nation's smoky sky.
.
But some of the bravest fell. Their cannon shots were mournful and clear
They had died to spring a new world in the fall of the seventy-fifth year.
And the world did gaze in deep amaze at those few fearless souls
Who bore the fight so that freedom's light might shine through the smoky sky.
.
Back through the ashes I walked again and my heart with grief was sore
For the Capitol ensured there were many valiant souls who we never shall see more
But to and fro in my mind I go and my praise was often high
For slavery fled, O glorious dead, when you fell in the smoky sky
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Ellenka:
Very powerful and beautiful. I found the tune on youtube, so I can say nicely
fitting too. All was great, but I think this was my fave line: "Who bore the fight so that
freedom's light might shine through the smoky sky."
Me:
This is certainly one of my favorites amongst my song modifications. Admittedly, that line was in the original, just referencing the original title instead of my title. (I often include a few lines that are unchanged or barely changed)