'The Ballad Of Salvation Bill' by Robert Service

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Bar-Room Ballads'Twas in the bleary middle of the hard-boiled Arctic night,
I was lonesome as a loon, so if you can,
Imagine my emotions of amazement and delight
When I bumped into that Missionary Man.
He was lying lost and dying in the moon's unholy leer,
And frozen from his toes to finger-tips'
The famished wolf-pack ringed him; but he didn't seem to fear,
As he pressed his ice-bond Bible to his lips.'Twas the limit of my trap-line, with the cabin miles away,
And every step was like a stab of pain;
But I packed him like a baby, and I nursed him night and day,
Till I got him back to health and strength again.
So there we were, benighted in the shadow of the Pole,
And he might have proved a priceless little pard,
If he hadn't got to worrying about my blessed soul,
And a-quotin' me his Bible by the yard.Now there was I, a husky guy, whose god was Nicotine,
With a "coffin-nail" a fixture in my mug;
I rolled them in the pages of a pulpwood magazine,
And hacked them with my jack-knife from the plug.
For, Oh to know the bliss and glow that good tobacco means,
Just live among the everlasting ice . . .
So judge my horror when I found my stock of magazines
Was chewed into a chowder by the mice.A woeful week went by and not a single pill I had,
Me that would smoke my forty in a day;
I sighed, I swore, I strode the floor; I felt I would go mad:
The gospel-plugger watched me with dismay.
My brow was wet, my teeth were set, my nerves were rasping raw;
And yet that preacher couldn't understand:
So with despair I wrestled there - when suddenly I saw
The volume he was holding in his hand.Then something snapped inside my brain, and with an evil start
The wolf-man in me woke to rabid rage.
"I saved your lousy life," says I; "so show you have a heart,
And tear me out a solitary page."
He shrank and shrivelled at my words; his face went pewter white;
'Twas just as if I'd handed him a blow:
And then . . . and then he seemed to swell, and grow to Heaven's height,
And in a voice that rang he answered: "No!"I grabbed my loaded rifle and I jabbed it to his chest:
"Come on, you shrimp, give me that Book," says I.
Well sir, he was a parson, but he stacked up with the best,
And for grit I got to hand it to the guy.
"If I should let you desecrate this Holy Word," he said,
"My soul would be eternally accurst;
So go on, Bill, I'm ready. You can pump me full of lead
And take it, but - you've got to kill me first."Now I'm no foul assassin, though I'm full of sinful ways,
And I knew right there the fellow had me beat;
For I felt a yellow mongrel in the glory of his gaze,
And I flung my foolish firearm at his feet,
Then wearily I turned away, and dropped upon my bunk,
And there I lay and blubbered like a kid.
"Forgive me, pard," says I at last, "for acting like a skunk,
But hide the blasted rifle..." Which he did.And he also hid his Bible, which was maybe just as well,
For the sight of all that paper gave me pain;
And there were crimson moments when I felt I'd o to hell
To have a single cigarette again.
And so I lay day after day, and brooded dark and deep,
Until one night I thought I'd end it all;
Then rough I roused the preacher, where he stretched pretending sleep,
With his map of horror turned towards the wall."See here, my pious pal," says I, "I've stood it long enough...
Behold! I've mixed some strychnine in a cup;
Enough to kill a dozen men - believe me it's no bluff;
Now watch me, for I'm gonna drink it up.
You've seen me bludgeoned by despair through bitter days and nights,
And now you'll see me squirming as I die.
You're not to blame, you've played the game according to your lights...
But how would Christ have played it? - Well, good-bye..."With that I raised the deadly drink and laid it to my lips,
But he was on me with a tiger-bound;
And as we locked and reeled and rocked with wild and wicked grips,
The poison cup went crashing to the ground.
"Don't do it, Bill," he madly shrieked. "Maybe I acted wrong.
See, here's my Bible - use it as you will;
But promise me - you'll read a little as you go along...
You do! Then take it, Brother; smoke your fill."And so I did. I smoked and smoked from Genesis to Job,
And as I smoked I read each blessed word;
While in the shadow of his bunk I heard him sigh and sob,
And then . . . a most peculiar thing occurred.
I got to reading more and more, and smoking less and less,
Till just about the day his heart was broke,
Says I: "Here, take it back, me lad. I've had enough I guess.
Your paper makes a mighty rotten smoke."So then and there with plea and prayer he wrestled for my soul,
And I was racked and ravaged by regrets.
But God was good, for lo! next day there came the police patrol,
With paper for a thousand cigarettes. . .
So now I'm called Salvation Bill; I teach the Living Law,
And Bally-hoo the Bible with the best;
And if a guy won't listen - why, I sock him on the jaw,
And preach the Gospel sitting on his chest.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Ballad of Salvation Bill: A Literary Masterpiece

Are you a fan of poetry and looking for a masterpiece that will leave you with goosebumps? Look no further than Robert Service's "The Ballad of Salvation Bill." This classic poem tells the story of a man named Bill who finds salvation in the midst of his sinful ways.

At nearly 4000 words, this epic poem is a true literary masterpiece. Service's use of vivid imagery and powerful language make the reader feel as though they are right there in the midst of the story. From the opening lines, Service pulls the reader in and never lets go:

Oh gallant was our galley from her caren steering-wheel To her figurehead of silver and her beak of hammered steel; The leg-bar chafed the ankle, and we gasped for cooler air, But no galley on the waters with our galley could compare.

Here, Service paints a vivid picture of a grand galley sailing through rough waters. The language is powerful and evokes a sense of adventure and excitement. As the reader continues through the poem, they are taken on a journey through the life of Salvation Bill.

At first, Bill is a man consumed by sin. He drinks and gambles and lives a life of debauchery. But then, something miraculous happens. He experiences a moment of divine intervention and is forever changed. Service captures this moment beautifully with the lines:

And then there came a sunset, and the sky was all aflame, And a great Voice boomed from the heavens, and I trembled at its name; "Thou shalt repent thy wicked ways, and straightway from this hour Thou shalt serve the Lord Jehovah and His everlasting power."

The language here is powerful and evocative. The use of the word "boomed" creates a sense of power and awe, as though the voice is thundering down from the heavens. And the line "Thou shalt serve the Lord Jehovah and His everlasting power" is a powerful statement of devotion and faith.

From this moment on, Bill is a changed man. He gives up his old ways and devotes himself to serving the Lord. Service captures the transformation beautifully with lines like these:

I read the sacred Bible till I knew the thing by rote, And many a hungry heathen have I fed and saved his throat; I've taught the little niggers from the Mission School to pray And showed them how to keep the Sabbath holy day.

Here, we see Bill taking on the role of a true servant of God. He devotes himself to helping others and spreading the word of the Lord. The use of the phrase "saved his throat" is particularly powerful, as it evokes the idea of Bill not just saving people's souls, but also saving their very lives.

Throughout the poem, Service's use of language is powerful and evocative. He uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the world in which Salvation Bill lives, and his use of language is often poetic and lyrical. Consider these lines:

Oh it's sweet to hear the organ and the choir a-singing clear, And sweet to see the banners of the faith against the rear; And sweet the prayer of succor for the tempted and the weak, And sweet the hallelujahs when the righteous rise and speak.

Here, Service captures the joy and beauty of religious worship. The lines are almost musical, with a sense of rhythm and rhyme that adds to their power. And the use of the word "sweet" repeatedly throughout the stanza creates a sense of warmth and comfort, as though the experience of worship is something truly pleasurable and enjoyable.

In conclusion, "The Ballad of Salvation Bill" is a true literary masterpiece. Robert Service's use of powerful language and vivid imagery make the reader feel as though they are right there in the midst of the story. From the opening lines to the final stanza, this epic poem is a journey through the life of a man who finds salvation and redemption in the midst of sin. Whether you are a fan of poetry or simply looking for a powerful and engaging story, "The Ballad of Salvation Bill" is not to be missed.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Ballad of Salvation Bill: A Tale of Redemption and Hope

Robert Service, the renowned poet, has gifted us with a masterpiece in the form of "The Ballad of Salvation Bill." This classic poem is a tale of redemption and hope that has stood the test of time and continues to inspire readers even today. In this analysis, we will delve into the themes, structure, and literary devices used in the poem to understand its significance and impact.

The poem tells the story of Salvation Bill, a man who has lived a life of sin and debauchery. He has been a thief, a liar, and a cheat, and has never cared for anyone but himself. However, one day, he has a life-changing experience that leads him to seek salvation and redemption. He turns to religion and becomes a devout Christian, dedicating his life to helping others and spreading the word of God.

The first thing that strikes the reader about the poem is its structure. It is written in the form of a ballad, a type of narrative poem that tells a story in a simple and direct manner. The ballad has a strong rhythm and rhyme scheme, which makes it easy to remember and recite. Service has used this form to great effect, as it adds to the dramatic impact of the story and makes it more engaging for the reader.

The poem is divided into six stanzas, each of which tells a different part of the story. The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the character of Salvation Bill. The second stanza describes his life of sin and debauchery, while the third stanza tells of his life-changing experience. The fourth stanza describes his conversion to Christianity, while the fifth stanza tells of his dedication to helping others. The final stanza brings the story to a close, with a message of hope and redemption.

One of the key themes of the poem is redemption. Salvation Bill is a man who has lived a life of sin and has caused harm to others. However, he is given a chance to redeem himself and make amends for his past actions. He turns to religion and dedicates his life to helping others, which is a clear sign of his desire to make up for his past mistakes. This theme of redemption is a powerful one, as it shows that no matter how far one has fallen, there is always a chance for redemption and a new beginning.

Another theme that runs through the poem is the power of faith. Salvation Bill's conversion to Christianity is a pivotal moment in the poem, as it marks the beginning of his journey towards redemption. His faith gives him the strength and courage to turn his life around and dedicate himself to helping others. This theme of faith is a common one in literature, as it shows that belief in something greater than oneself can give a person the strength to overcome even the greatest of obstacles.

Service has used a number of literary devices in the poem to enhance its impact. One of the most notable is the use of repetition. The phrase "Salvation Bill" is repeated throughout the poem, which serves to emphasize the importance of the character and his journey. The repetition of certain phrases and words also adds to the rhythm and rhyme of the poem, making it more memorable and engaging for the reader.

Another literary device used in the poem is imagery. Service has used vivid descriptions to paint a picture of Salvation Bill's life and his transformation. For example, in the second stanza, he describes Bill as a "wicked wight" who "stole and lied and cheated." This creates a clear image in the reader's mind of a man who has lived a life of sin and debauchery. In contrast, in the fifth stanza, Service describes Bill as a "saintly soul" who "healed the sick and fed the poor." This creates a clear image of a man who has dedicated his life to helping others and spreading the word of God.

In conclusion, "The Ballad of Salvation Bill" is a powerful poem that tells a story of redemption and hope. Service has used the ballad form to great effect, creating a strong rhythm and rhyme that makes the poem engaging and memorable. The themes of redemption and faith are powerful ones, and the use of literary devices such as repetition and imagery adds to the impact of the poem. Overall, this classic poem is a testament to the power of literature to inspire and uplift, and it continues to resonate with readers even today.

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