Who wrote the poem that goes, "They came for the ___ but I wasn't a ___ so I didn't object"?

Question

I've seen different version of this poem. The blanks are filled with the same thing twice, usually "Jew(s)", "gypsy(ies)", "communist(s)", etc.

Answer 1

Martin Niemoeller

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out--
because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out--
because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out--
because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out--
because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me--
and there was no one left to speak out for me.

As Martin Niemoeller gave the message, it was true to the facts. "They" didn't "come for the Catholics" any more than "they" came for the Protestants. The true historical sequence, which Niemoeller of course followed, was communists, socialists, trade unionists, and Jews. The assault on the Jews was the culmination of the Nazi dictatorship's ruthless elimination of targeted communities and individuals.

Answer 2

It's not a poem. It's a quotation.
It's from Martin Niemoller, a prominent Lutheran theologian and clergyman who opposed the Nazis. He was a prisoner at Dachau and Sachsenhausen between 1937 and 1945.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niemoller

The original quote is:
"First They Came for the Jews..."
First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because i was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.

Answer 3

first they came for the socialists, and i did not speak out. then they came for the trade unionists, and i did not speak out. and then they came for me, but there was no one to speak out.

or some such. no clue. but interested in hearing what people come up with

Answer 4

Yes Niemoller - VERY TRUE AND NOBLE
but - come WWII he wanted to volunteer!!
Germans...