'Accordion' by Robert Service

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Bar-Room BalladsSome carol of the banjo, to its measure keeping time;
Of viol or of lute some make a song.
My battered old accordion, you're worthy of a rhyme,
You've been my friend and comforter so long.
Round half the world I've trotted you, a dozen years or more;
You've given heaps of people lots of fun;
You've set a host of happy feet a-tapping on the floor . . .
Alas! your dancing days are nearly done.I've played you from the palm-belt to the suburbs of the Pole;
From the silver-tipped sierras to the sea.
The gay and gilded cabin and the grimy glory-hole
Have echoed to your impish melody.
I've hushed you in the dug-out when the trench was stiff with dead;
I've lulled you by the coral-laced lagoon;
I've packed you on a camel from the dung-fire on the bled,
To the hell-for-breakfast Mountains of the Moon.I've ground you to the shanty men, a-whooping heel and toe,
And the hula-hula graces in the glade.
I've swung you in the igloo to the lousy Esquimau,
And the Haussa at a hundred in the shade.
The Nigger on the levee, and the Dinka by the Nile
have shuffled to your insolent appeal.
I've rocked with glee the chimpanzee, and mocked the crocodile,
And shocked the pompous penquin and the seal.I've set the yokels singing in a little Surrey pub,
Apaches swinging in a Belville bar.
I've played an obligato to the tom-tom's rub-a-dub,
And the throb of Andalusian guitar.
From the Horn to Honolulu, from the Cape to Kalamazoo,
From Wick to Wicklow, Samarkand to Spain,
You've roughed it with my kilt-bag like a comrade tried and true. . . .
Old pal! We'll never hit the trail again.Oh I know you're cheap and vulgar, you're an instrumental crime.
In drawing-rooms you haven't got a show.
You're a musical abortion, you're the voice of grit and grime,
You're the spokesman of the lowly and the low.
You're a democratic devil, you're the darling of the mob;
You're a wheezy, breezy blasted bit of glee.
You're the headache of the high-bow, you're the horror of the snob,
but you're worth your weight in ruddy gold to me.For you've chided me in weakness and you've cheered me in defeat;
You've been an anodyne in hours of pain;
And when the slugging jolts of life have jarred me off my feet,
You've ragged me back into the ring again.
I'll never go to Heaven, for I know I am not fit,
The golden harps of harmony to swell;
But with asbestos bellows, if the devil will permit,
I'll swing you to the fork-tailed imps of Hell.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Accordion: A Masterpiece of Robert Service

Are you looking for a poem that can stir your imagination and make you feel as if you are the one who is living the moment? Do you want to read a masterpiece that can move you with its beauty and depth? If yes, then Robert Service’s Accordion is the perfect choice for you.

In this 44-line poem, Service masterfully captures the essence of the accordion and the magic that it creates. He uses his signature style of storytelling and poetic techniques to paint a vivid picture of a young musician and his accordion. Through his words, Service takes us on a journey that is both emotional and inspiring.

The Story

The poem starts with a young musician who is playing his accordion on the streets. Service describes the accordion as "an old squeeze-box" that produces "a wheezy, shaky sound." However, to the musician, the accordion is his life, his passion, and his joy.

The musician is playing a tune that is not only captivating but also infectious. People who are passing by stop and listen to the music, and soon a crowd gathers around the musician. Service describes the scene as if it is happening in front of our eyes:

"And there he’d stand with a gleaming eye,
And the crowd would laugh and sway
And even the poor and the passers-by
Would dance in the public way."

The musician's music is so powerful that it can uplift the spirits of even the most downtrodden. It is a testament to the power of music and its ability to bring people together.

However, the story takes a dark turn when the musician falls ill. He is no longer able to play his accordion, and he is forced to sell it. Service describes the despair that the musician feels when he has to let go of his beloved instrument:

"And the poor musician’s heart would break,
And his face would grow so pale
And he’d say: 'I can no longer make
The people laugh and wail.'"

The accordion was not just a musical instrument for the musician, but it was his identity, his soul, and his life. Now that he has lost it, he has lost a part of himself.

The poem ends on a bittersweet note. The musician is now gone, and the crowd that used to gather around him has moved on. However, the memory of the accordion and the joy that it brought to people's lives lives on. Service writes:

"And the old accordion, battered and brown,
Would lie on the shelf and moan;
But when he was there to play it down,
They’d dance till the break of dawn."

Poetic Techniques

The beauty of Accordion lies not only in its storytelling but also in its poetic techniques. Service has used various literary devices to create a masterpiece that is both lyrical and profound.

Rhyme Scheme

Service has used a simple rhyme scheme of ABAB for each stanza, which gives the poem a musical quality. The rhyme scheme also helps to create a sense of rhythm and flow, making the poem easy to read and remember.

Imagery

Service's use of imagery is another standout feature of this poem. He uses vivid descriptions to paint a picture of the musician and his accordion. For example, he describes the accordion as "an old squeeze-box," which immediately creates an image in the reader's mind. Service also uses similes, such as "Like a bird on the wing, it would start to soar," to help readers visualize the music.

Personification

Service has personified the accordion throughout the poem, giving it human qualities and emotions. For example, he writes, "And the old accordion, battered and brown, / Would lie on the shelf and moan." This personification allows the reader to empathize with the musician and his love for his instrument.

Metaphor

Service has used a metaphor in the last stanza to convey a deeper meaning. The old accordion lying on the shelf and moaning represents the musician's soul, which is crying out for its lost passion. The metaphor adds a layer of complexity to the poem and invites readers to explore its deeper meanings.

Themes

Accordion explores various themes, including the power of music, the importance of passion, and the transience of life.

The Power of Music

One of the most prominent themes of this poem is the power of music. Service shows us how music can transcend boundaries and bring people together. He writes:

"And even the poor and the passers-by
Would dance in the public way."

The music of the accordion is so powerful that it can lift the spirits of even the most downtrodden. It is a testament to the power of music and its ability to bring people together.

The Importance of Passion

Another theme of the poem is the importance of passion in our lives. The accordion is not just a musical instrument for the musician, but it is his life, his soul, and his identity. When he has to sell it, he loses a part of himself. The poem shows us that having a passion in life is essential, and losing it can be devastating.

The Transience of Life

The final theme of the poem is the transience of life. The musician and his accordion are both fleeting, and their time together is brief. However, the memory of their music lives on, even after they are gone. The poem reminds us that life is short, and we should cherish the moments that we have.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Robert Service's Accordion is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the power of music and the importance of passion in our lives. Through his storytelling and poetic techniques, Service takes us on a journey that is both emotional and inspiring. The poem's themes of the power of music, the importance of passion, and the transience of life make it a timeless classic that will resonate with readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Poetry Accordion: A Masterpiece by Robert Service

Robert Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his exceptional works. One of his most celebrated poems is the Poetry Accordion, which is a masterpiece in every sense of the word. This poem is a beautiful representation of the power of music and its ability to evoke emotions and memories.

The poem begins with the description of an accordion, which is a musical instrument that is often associated with folk music. The accordion is described as an old and worn-out instrument that has seen better days. However, despite its age and weariness, the accordion still has the power to create beautiful music that can transport the listener to another world.

Service's use of imagery is exceptional in this poem. He describes the accordion as having "bellows like a wheezy lung" and "keys like a skeleton's teeth." These descriptions create a vivid picture in the reader's mind and help to bring the accordion to life.

The poem then goes on to describe the power of music and how it can evoke memories and emotions. Service writes, "And as I listen to the tune, I'm back in the land of long ago." This line is particularly powerful as it highlights the ability of music to transport us to another time and place.

The accordion is also described as having the power to make people dance. Service writes, "The dancers whirl in a dizzy fling, and the rafters rock with the rollicking ring." This line captures the joy and energy that music can bring to people's lives.

Service also touches on the idea that music can bring people together. He writes, "And the old and young, and the rich and poor, are one in the spell of the music's lure." This line highlights the unifying power of music and how it can bring people from different backgrounds and walks of life together.

The poem then takes a darker turn as Service describes the accordion being played in a funeral procession. He writes, "And the mourners follow with heavy tread, to the music of the accordion's wail." This line is particularly poignant as it highlights the ability of music to evoke sadness and grief.

Service's use of language in this poem is exceptional. He uses words like "wail" and "lament" to create a sense of sadness and grief. These words are juxtaposed with the earlier descriptions of the accordion's ability to bring joy and happiness, highlighting the duality of music and its ability to evoke a range of emotions.

The poem ends with the accordion being put away, perhaps never to be played again. Service writes, "And the accordion sleeps in its case of pine, and the music is hushed like a voice divine." This line is particularly powerful as it highlights the fleeting nature of music and how it can be silenced at any moment.

In conclusion, the Poetry Accordion is a masterpiece by Robert Service that captures the power of music and its ability to evoke a range of emotions. Service's use of imagery and language is exceptional, and he creates a vivid picture of the accordion and its ability to bring joy, sadness, and everything in between. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of music and its ability to touch our lives in profound ways.

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