'His Boys' by Robert Service
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Ballads of a Bohemian (Book 4)"I'm going, Billy, old fellow. Hist, lad! Don't make any noise.
There's Boches to beat all creation, the pitch of a bomb away.
I've fixed the note to your collar, you've got to get back to my Boys,
You've got to get back to warn 'em before it's the break of day."The order came to go forward to a trench-line traced on the map;
I knew the brass-hats had blundered, I knew and I told 'em so;
I knew if I did as they ordered I would tumble into a trap,
And I tried to explain, but the answer came like a pistol: "Go."Then I thought of the Boys I commanded -- I always called them "my Boys" --
The men of my own recruiting, the lads of my countryside;
Tested in many a battle, I knew their sorrows and joys,
And I loved them all like a father, with more than a father's pride.To march my Boys to a shambles as soon as the dawn of day;
To see them helplessly slaughtered, if all that I guessed was true;
My Boys that trusted me blindly, I thought and I tried to pray,
And then I arose and I muttered: "It's either them or it's you."I rose and I donned my rain-coat; I buckled my helmet tight.
I remember you watched me, Billy, as I took my cane in my hand;
I vaulted over the sandbags into the pitchy night,
Into the pitted valley that served us as No Man's Land.I strode out over the hollow of hate and havoc and death,
From the heights the guns were angry, with a vengeful snarling of steel;
And once in a moment of stillness I heard hard panting breath,
And I turned . . . it was you, old rascal, following hard on my heel.I fancy I cursed you, Billy; but not so much as I ought!
And so we went forward together, till we came to the valley rim,
And then a star-shell sputtered . . . it was even worse than I thought,
For the trench they told me to move in was packed with Boche to the brim.They saw me too, and they got me; they peppered me till I fell;
And there I scribbled my message with my life-blood ebbing away;
"Now, Billy, you fat old duffer, you've got to get back like hell;
And get them to cancel that order before it's the dawn of day."Billy, old boy, I love you, I kiss your shiny black nose;
Now, home there. . . . Hurry, you devil, or I'll cut you to ribands. . . . See . . ."
Poor brute! he's off! and I'm dying. . . . I go as a soldier goes.
I'm happy. My Boys, God bless 'em! . . . It had to be them or me.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"His Boys": A Heartwarming Ode to Fatherhood
Robert Service's "His Boys" is an ode to fatherhood that captures the love, sacrifice, and pride that comes with raising children. The poem paints a vivid picture of a father's unwavering commitment to his sons, and the lengths he would go to ensure their happiness and success.
From the opening stanza, Service sets the tone for the poem, describing the father's "face alight with glowing pride" as his sons "put their little shoulders to the wheel." The father's pride in his boys is palpable, and it's clear that he sees their success as his own.
The poem goes on to detail the father's many sacrifices for his sons, from working long hours to provide for them, to coaching their sports teams, to even giving up his own dreams and ambitions for theirs. Yet despite all this, the father never complains, never asks for recognition or reward. His only desire is to see his boys flourish.
Service's use of imagery is particularly effective in conveying the father's devotion to his sons. The image of the "dusty diamond" where the boys play baseball, with its "bleachers full of fathers" and "little mothers in the stands," highlights the father's sense of community and belonging. He is not just a parent, but a member of a larger family that supports and cheers on their children.
Similarly, the image of the "stormy sea" that the father and his boys must navigate together underscores the challenges and obstacles that they face as a family. The father is not just a captain, but a guiding light that helps his sons weather the storm and stay on course.
One of the most poignant moments in the poem comes towards the end, when the father reflects on the passing of time and the inevitability of his own mortality. "But when I go," he says, "I'll leave behind a job that's done." He knows that he will not be able to protect his boys forever, but he takes comfort in the fact that he has done everything he can to prepare them for the world.
In many ways, "His Boys" is a celebration of the traditional ideals of fatherhood that have been passed down through generations. The father is a provider, a protector, a coach, and a mentor. He is strong, resilient, and unwavering in his love for his sons.
At the same time, however, the poem also challenges these ideals, highlighting the sacrifices and hardships that come with being a father. The father is not a superhero, but a human being with his own fears and doubts. He may not always know the right thing to do, but he does it anyway, because he believes in his boys.
In this sense, "His Boys" can be seen as a commentary on modern fatherhood, which has evolved to embrace a wider range of roles and responsibilities. Today's fathers are expected to be more involved in their children's lives than ever before, from changing diapers to attending parent-teacher conferences. Yet at the same time, they are also grappling with new challenges, such as work-life balance, gender roles, and changing family structures.
Ultimately, however, the message of "His Boys" is timeless and universal. It speaks to the universal human experience of love, sacrifice, and pride that comes with raising children. It reminds us that fatherhood is not just a job, but a calling, and that the greatest reward is the love and respect of our children.
In conclusion, Robert Service's "His Boys" is a timeless ode to fatherhood that celebrates the enduring ideals of love, sacrifice, and pride. Through vivid imagery and poignant reflections, the poem captures the essence of what it means to be a father, and reminds us of the importance of family, community, and tradition. It is a poem that will resonate with anyone who has ever been a parent or a child, and will continue to inspire and uplift for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has the power to move people, to inspire them, and to touch their hearts. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "His Boys" by Robert Service. This classic poem is a tribute to the brave soldiers who fought in World War I and the sacrifices they made for their country. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its significance and impact.
The poem begins with a powerful opening line, "He's gone to do his duty and he's left his boys behind." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and immediately establishes the central theme of sacrifice. The soldier in the poem has left his family behind to fight for his country, and the poem explores the emotional toll this takes on both the soldier and his loved ones.
The first stanza of the poem describes the soldier's departure and the emotions he feels as he leaves his family behind. The imagery used in this stanza is particularly powerful, with the soldier described as "grim and grey" and the sky above him "dull and leaden." These descriptions create a sense of foreboding and sadness, setting the stage for the rest of the poem.
The second stanza of the poem shifts focus to the soldier's family, particularly his wife and children. The language used in this stanza is particularly poignant, with the wife described as "pale and wan" and the children "clinging to her gown." These descriptions create a sense of vulnerability and helplessness, highlighting the emotional toll that war takes on those left behind.
The third stanza of the poem explores the soldier's experiences on the battlefield. The language used in this stanza is particularly vivid, with the soldier described as "grim and gaunt" and the battlefield as a "hellish place." These descriptions create a sense of the horrors of war and the toll it takes on those who fight in it.
The fourth and final stanza of the poem returns to the soldier's family, describing their experiences as they wait for news of their loved one. The language used in this stanza is particularly emotive, with the wife described as "pale and wan" and the children "crying in the night." These descriptions create a sense of the emotional toll that war takes on those left behind, highlighting the sacrifices made by both the soldier and his family.
Overall, "His Boys" is a powerful and emotive poem that explores the sacrifices made by soldiers and their families during times of war. The language used in the poem is particularly vivid and emotive, creating a sense of the emotional toll that war takes on those involved. The poem is a tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of soldiers and their families, and a reminder of the importance of remembering those who have fought and died for their country.
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