'The Black Sheep' by Robert Service
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"The aristocratic ne'er-do-well in Canada frequently finds his way
into the ranks of the Royal North-West Mounted Police." -- Extract.
Hark to the ewe that bore him:
"What has muddied the strain?
Never his brothers before him
Showed the hint of a stain."
Hark to the tups and wethers;
Hark to the old gray ram:
"We're all of us white, but he's black as night,
And he'll never be worth a damn."
I'm up on the bally wood-pile at the back of the barracks yard;
"A damned disgrace to the force, sir", with a comrade standing guard;
Making the bluff I'm busy, doing my six months hard.
"Six months hard and dismissed, sir." Isn't that rather hell?
And all because of the liquor laws and the wiles of a native belle--
Some "hooch" I gave to a siwash brave who swore that he wouldn't tell.
At least they say that I did it. It's so in the town report.
All that I can recall is a night of revel and sport,
When I woke with a "head" in the guard-room, and they dragged me sick into court.
And the O. C. said: "You are guilty", and I said never a word;
For, hang it, you see I couldn't--I didn't know what had occurred,
And, under the circumstances, denial would be absurd.
But the one that cooked my bacon was Grubbe, of the City Patrol.
He fagged for my room at Eton, and didn't I devil his soul!
And now he is getting even, landing me down in the hole.
Plugging away on the wood-pile; doing chores round the square.
There goes an officer's lady--gives me a haughty stare--
Me that's an earl's own nephew--that is the hardest to bear.
To think of the poor old mater awaiting her prodigal son.
Tho' I broke her heart with my folly, I was always the white-haired one.
(That fatted calf that they're cooking will surely be overdone.)
I'll go back and yarn to the Bishop; I'll dance with the village belle;
I'll hand round tea to the ladies, and everything will be well.
Where I have been won't matter; what I have seen I won't tell.
I'll soar to their ken like a comet. They'll see me with never a stain;
But will they reform me? --far from it. We pay for our pleasure with pain;
But the dog will return to his vomit, the hog to his wallow again.
I've chewed on the rind of creation, and bitter I've tasted the same;
Stacked up against hell and damnation, I've managed to stay in the game;
I've had my moments of sorrow; I've had my seasons of shame.
That's past; when one's nature's a cracked one, it's too jolly hard to mend.
So long as the road is level, so long as I've cash to spend.
I'm bound to go to the devil, and it's all the same in the end.
The bugle is sounding for stables; the men troop off through the gloom;
An orderly laying the tables sings in the bright mess-room.
(I'll wash in the prison bucket, and brush with the prison broom.)
I'll lie in my cell and listen; I'll wish that I couldn't hear
The laugh and the chaff of the fellows swigging the canteen beer;
The nasal tone of the gramophone playing "The Bandolier".
And it seems to me, though it's misty, that night of the flowing bowl,
That the man who potlatched the whiskey and landed me into the hole
Was Grubble, that unmerciful bounder, Grubble, of the City Patrol.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Black Sheep by Robert Service: A Masterpiece of Dramatic Irony
Have you ever read a poem that makes you feel like you're watching a movie? That's the feeling I get every time I read Robert Service's "The Black Sheep." It's a masterpiece of dramatic irony that tells the story of a man who is ostracized by his own family, but finds redemption in the end.
The Plot
The poem opens with the narrator describing the titular character, a man who is "sullen" and "rough" and has "no friends." We learn that he is the youngest of a family of seven, and that his father and brothers are all respectable members of society. The black sheep, on the other hand, is a "wastrel" who spends his days "in the saloons and dives." He is a source of shame and embarrassment for his family, who have disowned him.
Despite his reputation, the black sheep is not a bad person. He has a "heart of gold" and is kind to those who are in need. He is also a talented musician, and his "fiddle and his bow / Were a part of him, like his soul." He earns a living by playing in the saloons and dives, and it is there that he meets a young woman who is "pure and sweet."
The woman is captivated by the black sheep's music, and she falls in love with him. They marry, and the black sheep vows to change his ways and become a respectable member of society. He gets a job as a clerk, and he works hard to provide for his wife and their child. However, his past catches up with him when his father dies, and he is not invited to the funeral.
The black sheep is devastated by this rejection, but he finds solace in his music. He plays a mournful tune on his fiddle, and the townspeople are moved by his performance. They realize that he is not the "wastrel" they thought he was, but a talented musician with a heart of gold.
The poem ends with the black sheep playing his fiddle, with his wife and child by his side. He has found redemption, and he is no longer the black sheep of his family.
The Theme
On the surface, "The Black Sheep" is a simple story of redemption. However, at its core, it is a commentary on the nature of judgment and the power of music.
The black sheep is not a bad person, but he is judged harshly by his family and the townspeople because of his reputation. They see him as a "wastrel" and a "scoundrel," without ever taking the time to get to know him. However, the black sheep's music is a window into his soul, and it reveals the true nature of his character. His talent and his kindness shine through in his music, and the townspeople are forced to reevaluate their opinion of him.
In a sense, the black sheep's music is a metaphor for the power of art to transcend boundaries and bring people together. It is through his music that the black sheep is able to connect with his wife, and it is through his music that he is able to connect with the townspeople. Music is a universal language that speaks to the heart, and it is a reminder that we are all human, regardless of our social status or reputation.
The Structure
"The Black Sheep" is written in rhyming couplets, with a simple and straightforward structure. However, the simplicity of the structure belies the complexity of the poem. The use of irony and symbolism adds depth and nuance to the poem, and the repetition of certain phrases helps to reinforce the themes.
For example, the phrase "heart of gold" is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the black sheep's true nature. Similarly, the phrase "wastrel" is used repeatedly to underscore the townspeople's judgment of him.
The poem is also filled with vivid imagery that evokes the rugged landscape of the American West. The saloons and dives where the black sheep plays his music are described in detail, as are the dusty streets and the barren hills. The imagery serves to create a sense of time and place, and it adds to the overall atmosphere of the poem.
The Verdict
"The Black Sheep" is a timeless classic that deserves to be read and reread. It is a poem that speaks to the human condition, and it reminds us of the power of art to transcend boundaries and bring people together. Robert Service was a master of narrative poetry, and "The Black Sheep" is one of his finest works. If you haven't read it yet, do yourself a favor and give it a try. You won't be disappointed.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Black Sheep: A Classic Poem by Robert Service
If you're a fan of classic poetry, then you've probably heard of Robert Service. He was a Scottish-Canadian poet who wrote some of the most memorable poems of the 20th century. One of his most famous works is "The Black Sheep," a poem that tells the story of a man who is shunned by his family and community because of his wayward ways. In this article, we'll take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its themes, symbolism, and significance.
The poem begins with the narrator introducing us to the titular character, the black sheep. He describes him as a man who is "wild and woolly" and "a devil-may-care." The black sheep is someone who doesn't conform to society's expectations and lives life on his own terms. He's a rebel, a nonconformist, and a free spirit. But despite his unconventional ways, the black sheep is still a human being with feelings and emotions. He longs for acceptance and love, but he knows that he'll never find it among his family and community.
The poem's first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It's a melancholic and somber tone that reflects the black sheep's isolation and loneliness. The narrator describes the black sheep as "a lonely one" who "wanders far and wide." He's a man without a home, without a family, and without a sense of belonging. He's a wanderer, a drifter, and a nomad. He's always on the move, searching for something that he knows he'll never find.
The second stanza of the poem introduces us to the black sheep's family. They are the ones who have shunned him and cast him out. They are the ones who have labeled him as a black sheep and ostracized him from their community. The narrator describes the black sheep's family as "staid and sober" and "respectable and proud." They are the epitome of conformity and tradition. They value order, stability, and respectability above all else. They see the black sheep as a threat to their way of life, and they want nothing to do with him.
The third stanza of the poem is where we see the black sheep's longing for acceptance and love. He knows that he'll never find it among his family and community, but he still yearns for it. The narrator describes the black sheep as "a lonely one" who "longs for love." He's a man who wants to be loved and accepted for who he is, but he knows that he'll never find it among the people who have rejected him. He's a tragic figure, a man who is doomed to live a life of loneliness and isolation.
The fourth stanza of the poem is where we see the black sheep's defiance. He knows that he'll never be accepted by his family and community, so he decides to embrace his black sheep status. The narrator describes the black sheep as "a rebel bold" who "defies the world." He's a man who refuses to conform to society's expectations and chooses to live life on his own terms. He's a symbol of individualism and nonconformity, a reminder that sometimes it's necessary to go against the grain to find true happiness.
The fifth and final stanza of the poem is where we see the black sheep's acceptance of his fate. He knows that he'll never be accepted by his family and community, but he's come to terms with it. The narrator describes the black sheep as "a lonely one" who "wanders to his rest." He's a man who has accepted his fate and is ready to move on. He's a symbol of resilience and perseverance, a reminder that even in the face of rejection and isolation, it's possible to find peace and contentment.
In conclusion, "The Black Sheep" is a classic poem that explores themes of isolation, nonconformity, and acceptance. It's a poignant reminder that sometimes it's necessary to go against the grain to find true happiness. The black sheep is a symbol of individualism and resilience, a reminder that even in the face of rejection and isolation, it's possible to find peace and contentment. Robert Service's masterful use of language and imagery makes this poem a timeless classic that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
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