19th July

19th July

19th July is a wake-up call for the nation
To be alert on all occasions
It applies to every one in all generations
Not to forget it for any reason.

It was a day in rainy season
But clear and pleasant in the horizon
It was indeed a fateful morning
Saturday was bad for the astrological vision.

At ten thirty that morning
Bogyoke and cabinet were in the meeting
People’s affairs were they discussing
Independence was soon to be coming.

At that time, a green jeep came sudden
Holding Tommy and Sten guns in hands
Number 12 Buregt army uniformed men
Jumped down from the jeep and ascended the stairs.

In a few minutes or round about
People heard gunshot sounds of “Phyauk Phyauk”
Echoing of Tommy and Sten guns bouts
It reverberated in the secretariat aloud.

The echo of gunshots reached the sky
It spread far and high
The gun smokes ran wild
Every one was terrified.

In that instance, our beloved Bogyoke fell
Learned journalist Deedoke U Ba Cho as well
So did Mong Pun Saobwa, the amicable Shan leader,
The senior statesman Thakhin Mya too were murdered
Mahn Ba Khaing, the simple Karen leader,
Saya U Razak, the Mandalay-tha
And Bogyoke Ahko U Ba Win also were
Assassinated and lost for ever.

This sad news spread like wildfire
Throughout Rangoon and elsewhere
The whole country mourned for the fallen leaders
For their irreplaceable loss with sorrow and anger
It was a great blow as all our leaders died young
We missed them and yearn for ever
It is now over seventeen years.

Bogyoke and martyrs sacrificed their lives
For Burmese people to rejoice
Independence, democracy and human rights
It’s time for us to strive
With stamina, zeal and pride
To follow Bogyoke’s plan to realize.

We can’t forget 19th July
It’s a day to cry
But it’s also reminding us
To be alert in all generation!

Tun Ne Nwe’
(19.7.1964)

Translation Dr Maung Maung Nyo
(2.6.2007)