'Don't Cheer' by Robert Service

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Bar-Room BalladsDon't cheer, damn you! Don't cheer!
Silence! Your bitterest tear
Is fulsomely sweet to-day. . . .
Down on your knees and pray.See, they sing as they go,
Marching row upon row.
Who will be spared to return,
Sombre and starkly stern?
Chaps whom we knew - s0 strange,
Distant and dark with change;
Silent as those they slew,
Something in them dead too.
Who will return this way,
To sing as they sing to-day.Send to the glut of the guns
Bravest and best of you sons.
Hurl a million to slaughter,
Blood flowing like Thames water;
Pile up pyramid high
Your dead to the anguished sky;
A monument down all time
Of hate and horror and crime.
Weep, rage, pity, curse, fear -
Anything, but . . . don't cheer.Sow to the ploughing guns
Seed of your splendid sons.
Let your heroic slain
Richly manure the plain.
What will the harvest be?
Unborn of Unborn will see. . . .Dark is the sky and drear. . . .
For the pity of God don't cheer.
Dark and dread is their way.
Who sing as they march to-day. . . .
Humble your hearts and pray.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Don't Cheer by Robert Service: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

When it comes to poetry, Robert Service is a name that often comes up, and for good reason. His works have a way of capturing the human spirit and the essence of life, and one such poem that does just that is "Don't Cheer." In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll take a closer look at this classic piece of poetry and what makes it so memorable.

Overview of "Don't Cheer"

"Don't Cheer" is a short, four-stanza poem that appears in Service's collection of poems, "Rhymes of a Red Cross Man." The poem is written in a simple, straightforward style, with a clear message that is easy to understand. At its core, "Don't Cheer" is a warning against celebrating too soon, as life can be unpredictable and things can change in an instant.

Analysis of "Don't Cheer"

The poem begins with the lines, "Don't cheer, damn you! Don't cheer! / Silence! Your bitterest tear / Is fulsomely sweet to-day." The speaker is addressing a crowd of people who are likely celebrating or cheering for some reason, but the speaker wants them to stop. The use of the exclamation points and strong language highlights the urgency of the speaker's message.

In the second stanza, the speaker continues, "You know, damn you! You know / That our dusty hats must go / Into the melting-pot of War." Here, the speaker is reminding the crowd of the reality of the situation - that they are at war and that there is a chance that some of them may not come back. The use of the word "damn" is interesting, as it adds a sense of anger to the speaker's words.

The third stanza begins with the lines, "Don't cheer, damn you! Don't cheer! / We're far from victory here, / And the hell of fight's to come." Here, the speaker is once again urging the crowd to stop celebrating, as they are not yet victorious and there is still much work to be done. The use of the word "hell" adds a sense of danger and urgency to the poem.

Finally, in the last stanza, the speaker concludes with the lines, "Don't cheer, damn you! Don't cheer! / Steady there! Guide 'em clear! / And the best foot forward put." The repetition of the phrase "don't cheer" reinforces the speaker's message, and the use of the word "steady" adds a sense of calm and control. The last line, "And the best foot forward put," encourages the crowd to keep moving forward and to do their best.

Interpretation of "Don't Cheer"

At its core, "Don't Cheer" is a poem about the realities of war and the importance of staying focused and vigilant. The speaker's message is clear - don't celebrate too soon, as things can change in an instant. The poem can be interpreted as a warning against complacency and a call to action to keep fighting.

The use of the word "damn" throughout the poem adds a sense of anger and urgency to the speaker's words. The repetition of the phrase "don't cheer" also reinforces the speaker's message and adds a sense of urgency to the poem. The use of exclamation points highlights the urgency of the message and adds to the overall tone of the poem.

The poem can also be interpreted as a commentary on the futility of war. The speaker's words highlight the senseless loss of life and the toll that war takes on those who fight in it. The use of the word "hell" adds a sense of danger and darkness to the poem, underscoring the horrors of war.

Conclusion

"Don't Cheer" is a short but powerful poem that highlights the realities of war and the importance of staying focused and vigilant. The speaker's use of repetition, strong language, and exclamation points adds to the urgency of the message and reinforces the poem's themes of caution and practicality. Ultimately, the poem can be seen as a call to action to keep fighting and to never give up, no matter how difficult the situation may seem.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Don't Cheer by Robert Service is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a poem that is both humorous and thought-provoking, and it has been enjoyed by generations of readers. In this analysis, we will take a closer look at the poem and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing a crowd of people who are cheering for something. The speaker tells them not to cheer, as cheering is a sign of weakness. He says that cheering is for those who are afraid to stand up for themselves, and that it is a way of hiding their true feelings. The speaker then goes on to say that he is not afraid to speak his mind, and that he will not be silenced by the crowd.

The first theme that we can identify in this poem is the idea of individuality. The speaker is urging the crowd to be true to themselves and not to follow the crowd blindly. He is encouraging them to think for themselves and to speak their minds, even if it means going against the popular opinion. This theme is particularly relevant in today's society, where conformity is often valued over individuality.

The second theme that we can identify in this poem is the idea of courage. The speaker is urging the crowd to be brave and to stand up for what they believe in. He is telling them that it takes courage to speak your mind and to go against the crowd. This theme is also relevant in today's society, where it is often easier to go along with the crowd than to stand up for what you believe in.

The structure of the poem is also worth noting. The poem is written in four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a sing-song quality. The use of rhyme also helps to emphasize the speaker's message, as it makes the poem more memorable and easier to recite.

The poem also makes use of several literary devices. One of these is repetition. The phrase "Don't cheer" is repeated several times throughout the poem, which helps to emphasize the speaker's message. Another literary device that is used in the poem is alliteration. For example, in the second stanza, the phrase "faint and feeble" is used, which creates a sense of weakness and vulnerability.

The poem also makes use of irony. The speaker is telling the crowd not to cheer, but he is doing so in a way that is meant to be cheered. This creates a sense of irony, as the speaker is telling the crowd not to do something that he himself is doing.

In conclusion, Don't Cheer by Robert Service is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a poem that encourages individuality and courage, and it makes use of several literary devices to emphasize its message. The poem is also relevant in today's society, where conformity is often valued over individuality and it is easier to go along with the crowd than to stand up for what you believe in. Overall, Don't Cheer is a poem that is both humorous and thought-provoking, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to inspire and motivate people.

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