'The Song Of The Mouth-Organ' by Robert Service

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Ballads of a Cheechako(With apologies to the singer of the "Song of the Banjo".)I'm a homely little bit of tin and bone;I'm beloved by the Legion of the Lost;
I haven't got a "vox humana" tone,And a dime or two will satisfy my cost.
I don't attempt your high-falutin' flights;I am more or less uncertain on the key;
But I tell you, boys, there's lots and lots of nightsWhen you've taken mighty comfort out of me.I weigh an ounce or two, and I'm so smallYou can pack me in the pocket of your vest;
And when at night so wearily you crawlInto your bunk and stretch your limbs to rest,
You take me out and play me soft and low,The simple songs that trouble your heartstrings;
The tunes you used to fancy long ago,Before you made a rotten mess of things.Then a dreamy look will come into your eyes,And you break off in the middle of a note;
And then, with just the dreariest of sighs,You drop me in the pocket of your coat.
But somehow I have bucked you up a bit;And, as you turn around and face the wall,
You don't feel quite so spineless and unfit--You're not so bad a fellow after all.Do you recollect the bitter Arctic night;Your camp beside the canyon on the trail;
Your tent a tiny square of orange light;The moon above consumptive-like and pale;
Your supper cooked, your little stove aglow;You tired, but snug and happy as a child?
Then 'twas "Turkey in the Straw" till your lips were nearly raw,And you hurled your bold defiance at the Wild.Do you recollect the flashing, lashing pain;The gulf of humid blackness overhead;
The lightning making rapiers of the rain;The cattle-horns like candles of the dead
You sitting on your bronco there alone,In your slicker, saddle-sore and sick with cold?
Do you think the silent herd did not hear "The Mocking Bird",Or relish "Silver Threads among the Gold"?Do you recollect the wild Magellan coast;The head-winds and the icy, roaring seas;
The nights you thought that everything was lost;The days you toiled in water to your knees;
The frozen ratlines shrieking in the gale;The hissing steeps and gulfs of livid foam:
When you cheered your messmates nine with "Ben Bolt" and "Clementine",And "Dixie Land" and "Seeing Nellie Home"?Let the jammy banjo voice the Younger Son,Who waits for his remittance to arrive;
I represent the grimy, gritty one,Who sweats his bones to keep himself alive;
Who's up against the real thing from his birth;Whose heritage is hard and bitter toil;
I voice the weary, smeary ones of earth,The helots of the sea and of the soil.I'm the Steinway of strange mischief and mischance;I'm the Stradivarius of blank defeat;
In the down-world, when the devil leads the dance,I am simply and symbolically meet;
I'm the irrepressive spirit of mankind;I'm the small boy playing knuckle down with Death;
At the end of all things known, where God's rubbish-heap is thrown,I shrill impudent triumph at a breath.I'm a humble little bit of tin and horn;I'm a byword, I'm a plaything, I'm a jest;
The virtuoso looks on me with scorn;But there's times when I am better than the best.
Ask the stoker and the sailor of the sea;Ask the mucker and the hewer of the pine;
Ask the herder of the plain, ask the gleaner of the grain--There's a lowly, loving kingdom--and it's mine.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Song Of The Mouth-Organ: A Masterpiece of Narrative Poetry

When it comes to narrative poetry, few writers can match the prowess of Robert Service - the bard of the Yukon. Service's work is known for its vivid imagery, colorful characters, and engaging storytelling. His poems take readers on a journey through the harsh and beautiful landscape of the north, and explore the human condition in all its complexity. One of Service's most famous works is "The Song of the Mouth-Organ," a poem that captures the magic of music and the power of memory.

Overview

"The Song of the Mouth-Organ" tells the story of an old man who is reminiscing about his youth. He remembers the days when he used to play the mouth-organ and how the music would transport him to another world. The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the man's life. In the first part, he describes his childhood and how he first discovered the mouth-organ. In the second part, he talks about his days as a soldier and how the mouth-organ helped him to survive the horrors of war. In the final part, he reflects on his life as an old man and how the memory of the mouth-organ still fills him with joy.

Analysis

One of the most striking features of "The Song of the Mouth-Organ" is its use of imagery. Service paints a vivid picture of the northern landscape, describing the snow-capped mountains, the frozen rivers, and the starry sky. He also uses imagery to convey the emotions of the old man, describing how the music of the mouth-organ makes him feel "like a bird on the wing" and how it fills him with "a sweet, sad ache."

The poem is also notable for its use of repetition. Service repeats certain phrases and lines throughout the poem, creating a sense of rhythm and momentum. For example, the phrase "in the land of the midnight sun" is repeated several times, emphasizing the importance of the northern landscape to the narrator's identity. Similarly, the line "Ah, the music, the music!" is repeated throughout the poem, underscoring the central role that the mouth-organ plays in the narrator's life.

Another key aspect of the poem is its exploration of memory. The old man is looking back on his life and remembering the moments that shaped him. He remembers the joy of playing the mouth-organ as a child, the fear and uncertainty of war, and the contentment of old age. Through his memories, he is able to relive the experiences that have made him who he is.

The poem also touches on themes of nostalgia and regret. The old man realizes that he can never go back to the days of his youth, and that the people and places he once knew are gone forever. He feels a sense of loss and longing for the past, but also a deep appreciation for the memories that he carries with him.

Interpretation

At its core, "The Song of the Mouth-Organ" is a celebration of music and its ability to connect people across time and space. The mouth-organ serves as a metaphor for the power of art to transcend the limitations of our physical world. Through the music of the mouth-organ, the old man is able to escape the harsh reality of his surroundings and enter a world of his own creation. The poem suggests that music has the power to heal, to comfort, and to inspire.

The poem also suggests that memory is a vital part of our identity. The old man's memories of his past are what make him who he is in the present. He may be old and frail, but his memories give him a sense of purpose and meaning. The poem acknowledges the bittersweet nature of memory - the fact that it can bring both joy and sadness - but ultimately celebrates the power of memory to enrich our lives.

Finally, the poem is a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit. The old man has lived through war, loss, and hardship, but he has still found joy in the music of the mouth-organ. Through his memories and his music, he is able to find meaning and purpose in his life. The poem suggests that no matter what challenges we face, we can always find solace in the things that bring us joy.

Conclusion

"The Song of the Mouth-Organ" is a masterpiece of narrative poetry, filled with vivid imagery, compelling characters, and a powerful message. Service's poem captures the magic of music and the importance of memory, while also celebrating the resilience of the human spirit. It's a poem that speaks to the universal human experience, reminding us of the things that truly matter in life. Whether you're a fan of poetry or just appreciate a good story, "The Song of the Mouth-Organ" is a must-read.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Song of the Mouth-Organ: A Melodic Journey Through Life

Robert Service’s “The Song of the Mouth-Organ” is a classic poem that takes the reader on a journey through the life of a young boy who discovers the joy of music through a simple mouth-organ. The poem is a beautiful ode to the power of music and its ability to bring people together, evoke emotions, and create memories that last a lifetime.

The poem begins with the young boy discovering a mouth-organ in a pawnshop window. He is immediately drawn to the instrument and decides to purchase it with his hard-earned money. As he begins to play, he is transported to a world of music and melody that he had never experienced before. The mouth-organ becomes his constant companion, and he plays it wherever he goes, from the fields to the streets, and even in the company of his friends.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each representing a different stage in the boy’s life. In the first stanza, the boy is young and carefree, and the mouth-organ is his source of joy and happiness. He plays it with abandon, and the music fills him with a sense of freedom and wonder. The mouth-organ becomes his voice, and he uses it to express his emotions and connect with the world around him.

In the second stanza, the boy has grown up, and life has become more complicated. He has left his childhood behind and is now faced with the challenges of adulthood. The mouth-organ is still with him, but it has taken on a new meaning. It is no longer just a source of joy; it is now a symbol of his past and a reminder of the innocence he has lost. The music he plays is more melancholic, and it reflects the struggles he faces as he navigates the complexities of life.

In the final stanza, the boy has become an old man, and his life is coming to an end. The mouth-organ is still with him, and he plays it with a sense of nostalgia and longing. The music he creates is a reflection of his life, and it tells the story of his journey from youth to old age. As he plays, he remembers the people he has loved and lost, the places he has been, and the experiences he has had. The mouth-organ has become a part of him, and it is the one constant in his life that has brought him comfort and solace.

The poem is a beautiful tribute to the power of music and its ability to connect people across time and space. It reminds us that music is not just a form of entertainment; it is a way of expressing our emotions, connecting with others, and creating memories that last a lifetime. The mouth-organ, in particular, is a symbol of the simplicity and beauty of life, and it reminds us to appreciate the small things that bring us joy.

In conclusion, “The Song of the Mouth-Organ” is a timeless poem that speaks to the heart of what it means to be human. It reminds us of the power of music to bring us together, to evoke emotions, and to create memories that last a lifetime. Robert Service’s beautiful words and imagery take us on a journey through the life of a young boy who discovers the joy of music through a simple mouth-organ. It is a journey that we can all relate to, and it is a reminder that no matter where life takes us, music will always be there to guide us through.

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