go quietly into the night

[Crimson-Sky]

Hello
What does it mean ?
I've seen the expression in the movie "Independence Day" it was in the speech given by Bill Pullman (as the president).
Exactly in ;

"...And should we win the day, the 4th of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day when the world declared in one voice:

"We will not go quietly into the night!
We will not vanish without a fight!
..."


Thank you.

 

[Glenfarclas]

It is a phrase taken more or less from the poem Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night by the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. "Night" represents death and oblivion, and to "go quietly" (or "gentle") means to go without a struggle or protest.

 

[Crimson-Sky]

Thank you