'Accordion' by Robert Service
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Some 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.
Yes, I'll hank you, and I'll spank you,
And I'll everlasting yank you
To the cinder-swinging satellites of Hell.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Accordion: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you ready to explore the musical and metaphorical world of Robert Service's Accordion?
Robert Service was a Scottish-born poet, who became one of the most popular writers of the early 20th century. He was known for his simple yet powerful language, his vivid imagery, and his ability to capture the essence of human emotions.
In Accordion, Service explores the theme of music as a means of emotional expression and communication. The accordion is not just a musical instrument, but a symbol of the human heart, capable of producing a range of emotions, from joy to sorrow, from love to loneliness.
Form and Structure
The poem is written in free verse, with irregular line lengths and no rhyme scheme. The form is reflective of the accordion itself, which is a flexible instrument that can produce a variety of sounds, depending on how it is played.
The poem is divided into four stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the accordion's power. The first stanza sets the scene, describing the accordion player and his music. The second stanza focuses on the emotions that the music evokes, both in the player and in the listener. The third stanza shifts the focus to the broader implications of the accordion's power, suggesting that it has the ability to bring people together and bridge cultural divides. The final stanza returns to the personal, with the player reflecting on his own life and the role that the accordion has played in it.
Imagery and Figurative Language
Service is a master of imagery, and Accordion is no exception. He uses a variety of figurative language to create a vivid and evocative picture of the accordion and its music.
One of the most striking images in the poem is the metaphor of the accordion as a "beggar's heart." This image suggests that the accordion is not just an instrument, but a living, breathing thing, capable of experiencing the same emotions as a human being. The metaphor also suggests that the accordion is a humble and unpretentious instrument, which is accessible to everyone, regardless of their social status.
Another powerful image is the description of the music as a "profound and bitter sweetness." This image captures the complex emotions that the accordion is capable of expressing, including both joy and sorrow. The image also suggests that the music is not just a simple pleasure, but a deeper, more profound experience that touches something fundamental in the human soul.
Themes
Accordion is a poem that explores a number of themes, including the power of music, the role of art in society, and the relationship between individuals and their environment.
One of the central themes of the poem is the power of music to evoke emotions and create connections between people. The accordion is portrayed as a universal instrument, capable of bridging cultural divides and uniting people through the power of its music. The image of the accordion player in the first stanza, playing his music in a public square, suggests that music has the ability to bring people together and create a sense of community.
Another theme of the poem is the idea that art has the power to transform individuals and society. The accordion player is portrayed as a kind of artist-hero, whose music has the ability to inspire and uplift those who hear it. The poem suggests that art has the power to transcend social barriers and create a sense of shared humanity.
Finally, the poem explores the idea that individuals are shaped by their environment, and that art has the power to reflect and transform that environment. The final stanza of the poem suggests that the accordion player's music has been shaped by his environment, and that his music has in turn shaped the environment around him. The image of the player looking out over his landscape suggests that his music is intimately connected to the natural world, and that it has the power to transform that world in small but significant ways.
Conclusion
Robert Service's Accordion is a powerful poem that explores the emotional and cultural power of music. Through vivid imagery, powerful language, and a thoughtful structure, the poem captures the essence of the accordion as a universal instrument that has the ability to bring people together and create a sense of shared humanity. The poem is a testament to the transformative power of art, and a reminder that there is a deep connection between individuals, their environment, and the art that they create.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Accordion by Robert Service is a classic poem that has been loved by readers for generations. The poem is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the power of music to bring people together and to evoke strong emotions. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem begins with the speaker describing an accordion player who is playing on the street. The speaker is immediately drawn to the music, and he describes it as "a melody that grips the heart." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it establishes the power of music to evoke strong emotions in the listener.
The speaker goes on to describe the accordion player as a "ragged troubadour," emphasizing the idea that music is often associated with poverty and hardship. However, despite his ragged appearance, the accordion player is able to create beautiful music that touches the hearts of those who hear it.
The poem then shifts to a description of the people who are listening to the music. The speaker describes them as a "motley throng," emphasizing the idea that music has the power to bring people together from all walks of life. The people are all different, but they are united by their love of the music.
The speaker then goes on to describe the emotions that the music evokes in him. He says that the music "stirs a memory in my brain," suggesting that the music is able to evoke powerful memories and emotions in the listener. He goes on to describe the music as "a magic thing," emphasizing the idea that music has the power to transport us to another place and time.
The poem then shifts to a description of the accordion itself. The speaker describes it as a "box of rosin dust," emphasizing the idea that the accordion is a humble instrument that is often associated with poverty and hardship. However, despite its humble appearance, the accordion is able to create beautiful music that touches the hearts of those who hear it.
The speaker then goes on to describe the music as a "song of love and longing," emphasizing the idea that music is often associated with strong emotions such as love and longing. He goes on to describe the music as a "song of hope and cheer," suggesting that music has the power to lift our spirits and give us hope even in difficult times.
The poem then ends with the speaker describing the accordion player as he walks away. The speaker says that the accordion player "shuffles off into the night," emphasizing the idea that music is often associated with transience and impermanence. However, despite the fact that the music and the accordion player may be gone, the emotions and memories that the music evokes will remain with the listener forever.
In terms of imagery, the poem is full of vivid descriptions that help to bring the scene to life. The description of the accordion player as a "ragged troubadour" and the people as a "motley throng" help to create a vivid picture of the scene. The description of the accordion as a "box of rosin dust" also helps to create a vivid image of the instrument.
The language used in the poem is also very powerful. The use of alliteration in the phrase "box of rosin dust" helps to create a sense of rhythm and musicality in the language. The repetition of the phrase "a magic thing" also helps to emphasize the power of music to transport us to another place and time.
In conclusion, Accordion by Robert Service is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the power of music to bring people together and to evoke strong emotions. The poem is full of vivid imagery and powerful language that help to bring the scene to life. The poem emphasizes the idea that music is often associated with poverty and hardship, but despite this, it has the power to create beautiful music that touches the hearts of those who hear it. The poem is a timeless reminder of the power of music to bring us together and to evoke powerful emotions that will stay with us forever.
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