'The Joy Of Being Poor' by Robert Service
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Ballads of a Bohemian (Book 2)ILet others sing of gold and gear, the joy of being rich;
But oh, the days when I was poor, a vagrant in a ditch!
When every dawn was like a gem, so radiant and rare,
And I had but a single coat, and not a single care;
When I would feast right royally on bacon, bread and beer,
And dig into a stack of hay and doze like any peer;
When I would wash beside a brook my solitary shirt,
And though it dried upon my back I never took a hurt;
When I went romping down the road contemptuous of care,
And slapped Adventure on the back -- by Gad! we were a pair;
When, though my pockets lacked a coin, and though my coat was old,
The largess of the stars was mine, and all the sunset gold;
When time was only made for fools, and free as air was I,
And hard I hit and hard I lived beneath the open sky;
When all the roads were one to me, and each had its allure . . .
Ye Gods! these were the happy days, the days when I was poor.IIOr else, again, old pal of mine, do you recall the times
You struggled with your storyettes, I wrestled with my rhymes;
Oh, we were happy, were we not? -- we used to live so "high"
(A little bit of broken roof between us and the sky);
Upon the forge of art we toiled with hammer and with tongs;
You told me all your rippling yarns, I sang to you my songs.
Our hats were frayed, our jackets patched, our boots were down at heel,
But oh, the happy men were we, although we lacked a meal.
And if I sold a bit of rhyme, or if you placed a tale,
What feasts we had of tenderloins and apple-tarts and ale!
And yet how often we would dine as cheerful as you please,
Beside our little friendly fire on coffee, bread and cheese.
We lived upon the ragged edge, and grub was never sure,
But oh, these were the happy days, the days when we were poor.IIIAlas! old man, we're wealthy now, it's sad beyond a doubt;
We cannot dodge prosperity, success has found us out.
Your eye is very dull and drear, my brow is creased with care,
We realize how hard it is to be a millionaire.
The burden's heavy on our backs -- you're thinking of your rents,
I'm worrying if I'll invest in five or six per cents.
We've limousines, and marble halls, and flunkeys by the score,
We play the part . . . but say, old chap, oh, isn't it a bore?
We work like slaves, we eat too much, we put on evening dress;
We've everything a man can want, I think . . . but happiness.
Come, let us sneak away, old chum; forget that we are rich,
And earn an honest appetite, and scratch an honest itch.
Let's be two jolly garreteers, up seven flights of stairs,
And wear old clothes and just pretend we aren't millionaires;
And wonder how we'll pay the rent, and scribble ream on ream,
And sup on sausages and tea, and laugh and loaf and dream.And when we're tired of that, my friend, oh, you will come with me;
And we will seek the sunlit roads that lie beside the sea.
We'll know the joy the gipsy knows, the freedom nothing mars,
The golden treasure-gates of dawn, the mintage of the stars.
We'll smoke our pipes and watch the pot, and feed the crackling fire,
And sing like two old jolly boys, and dance to heart's desire;
We'll climb the hill and ford the brook and camp upon the moor . . .
Old chap, let's haste, I'm mad to taste the Joy of Being Poor.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Joy of Being Poor by Robert Service: A Celebration of Simplicity and Contentment
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live a life free from the trappings of material wealth and opulence? To be content with the bare necessities and find joy in the simplest of things? Robert Service's poem, "The Joy of Being Poor," is a celebration of just that. In this 66-line poem, Service paints a vivid picture of the beauty and contentment that can be found in a life lived with simplicity and humility.
The Poem
Before we delve into the nuances of Service's poem, let's first take a look at the text itself. Here is "The Joy of Being Poor" in its entirety:
I am glad I am poor. A queer little twist in my brain Makes me glad I am destitute, And I laugh at my want and my pain. The rich man may worry and fuss, He may strive to be happy and gay, But his gold is a millstone to him And he dreads the decline of the day.
The road of the rich man is hard, His troubles are heavier than mine, His wealth is a burden to him And he knows not a joy such as mine. For gold is a hard taskmaster, It drives him and goads him to sin; It coddles a multitude of evils And robs him of peace from within.
The treasures I have are my own, They are free from the rust and the moth, They are what the poor man may have And the rich man has never yet got. For what does he know of contentment, The man who has millions in store? He may wear a bright smile on his face But his heart may be heavy and sore.
I am glad I am poor, For I know what my treasures are worth; And I know that the things of the Spirit Are the only things really of worth. So I pity the man who has riches, And I pity his wonderful toys, For they keep him from seeking the Kingdom Where are hidden the real lasting joys.
Now, let's break down Service's poem and explore some of its key themes and motifs.
The Joy of Being Poor: Themes and Motifs
The Beauty of Simplicity
At its core, "The Joy of Being Poor" is a celebration of simplicity. Service makes it clear that he finds contentment and joy in the bare necessities of life, and that he pities those who are burdened by the trappings of wealth and material possessions. This theme is exemplified in lines such as, "The treasures I have are my own, / They are free from the rust and the moth, / They are what the poor man may have / And the rich man has never yet got." Here, Service emphasizes that the true treasures in life are not material possessions, but rather the intangible things that cannot be bought with money.
The Burden of Wealth
Service also explores the idea that wealth can be a burden, rather than a blessing. In lines such as, "For gold is a hard taskmaster, / It drives him and goads him to sin; / It coddles a multitude of evils / And robs him of peace from within," Service suggests that those who have material wealth are often consumed by their desire for more, leading to a life of constant striving and dissatisfaction. This idea is further reinforced in the lines, "The rich man may worry and fuss, / He may strive to be happy and gay, / But his gold is a millstone to him / And he dreads the decline of the day." Here, Service paints a picture of a rich man who is consumed by his fear of losing what he has, rather than being able to enjoy it.
The Importance of Spiritual Wealth
Finally, Service emphasizes the importance of spiritual wealth over material wealth. He suggests that those who are truly content with their lives are those who have found joy in the intangible things, such as love, friendship, and a connection to something greater than themselves. This idea is exemplified in lines such as, "And I know that the things of the Spirit / Are the only things really of worth. / So I pity the man who has riches, / And I pity his wonderful toys, / For they keep him from seeking the Kingdom / Where are hidden the real lasting joys." Here, Service suggests that those who are consumed by their desire for material wealth are missing out on the true joy and contentment that can be found in a life lived with simplicity and humility.
A Celebration of Contentment
At its core, "The Joy of Being Poor" is a celebration of contentment. Service suggests that true joy and happiness can be found in a life lived with simplicity and humility, free from the trappings of material wealth and opulence. He paints a vivid picture of the beauty of simplicity, and suggests that those who are able to find contentment in the simplest of things are truly blessed.
Overall, "The Joy of Being Poor" is a powerful reminder that true happiness and contentment are not found in material possessions, but rather in the intangible things that cannot be bought with money. Service's celebration of simplicity and contentment is a powerful message that is just as relevant today as it was when the poem was first written.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Joy of Being Poor: An Analysis of Robert Service's Classic Poetry
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live a life free of material possessions? To be content with the simple things in life and find joy in the little moments? Robert Service's classic poem, "The Joy of Being Poor," explores this very concept and provides a unique perspective on the value of wealth and happiness.
At first glance, the title of the poem may seem contradictory. How can one find joy in being poor? However, as we delve deeper into the poem, we begin to understand the true meaning behind Service's words.
The poem begins with the lines, "I am glad I am poor. / I am glad I am homely, / For I would not be a queen / For all the world could give or take." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem and establish the speaker's perspective on wealth and beauty. The speaker is content with their current state of poverty and sees no value in material possessions or societal status.
As the poem progresses, the speaker goes on to describe the joys of being poor. They find happiness in the simple things in life, such as the beauty of nature and the love of family and friends. The speaker states, "I have a little house / With roses by the door, / And honeysuckle vines / To climb upon the floor." These lines paint a picture of a simple, yet beautiful life. The speaker finds joy in the small details of their home and takes pleasure in the natural beauty that surrounds them.
The poem also touches on the idea of freedom. The speaker states, "I am free of care and strife, / I am free to love and sing, / To walk in the fields of life, / And pluck its blossoming." The speaker sees their poverty as a form of liberation. They are free from the burdens of wealth and societal expectations, allowing them to live a life of simplicity and joy.
Service's use of imagery throughout the poem is particularly effective in conveying the speaker's perspective. The use of natural imagery, such as roses and honeysuckle vines, creates a sense of warmth and comfort. The imagery of walking in the fields of life and plucking its blossoming creates a sense of freedom and joy.
The poem also touches on the idea of perspective. The speaker states, "I have seen the rich man pass, / With a smile upon his face, / And I pitied him the loss / Of the joy of my humble place." The speaker sees the rich man as someone who has lost sight of the true value of life. They pity the rich man for not being able to find joy in the simple things in life.
Overall, "The Joy of Being Poor" is a powerful poem that challenges our societal norms and values. It encourages us to reevaluate our perspective on wealth and happiness and find joy in the simple things in life. Service's use of imagery and perspective is particularly effective in conveying this message and creating a sense of warmth and comfort.
In conclusion, "The Joy of Being Poor" is a timeless poem that continues to resonate with readers today. It reminds us that true happiness cannot be found in material possessions or societal status, but rather in the simple moments of life. As we navigate our own lives, let us remember the words of Robert Service and find joy in the beauty of simplicity.
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