'Bonehead Bill' by Robert Service

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I wonder 'oo and wot 'e was,
That 'Un I got so slick.
I couldn't see 'is face because
The night was 'ideous thick.
I just made out among the black
A blinkin' wedge o' white;
Then biff! I guess I got 'im crack --
The man I killed last night.

I wonder if account o' me
Some wench will go unwed,
And 'eaps o' lives will never be,
Because 'e's stark and dead?
Or if 'is missis damns the war,
And by some candle light,
Tow-headed kids are prayin' for
The Fritz I copped last night.

I wonder, 'struth, I wonder why
I 'ad that 'orful dream?
I saw up in the giddy sky
The gates o' God agleam;
I saw the gates o' 'eaven shine
Wiv everlastin' light:
And then . . . I knew that I'd got mine,
As 'e got 'is last night.

Aye, bang beyond the broodin' mists
Where spawn the mother stars,
I 'ammered wiv me bloody fists
Upon them golden bars;
I 'ammered till a devil's doubt
Fair froze me wiv affright:
To fink wot God would say about
The bloke I corpsed last night.

I 'ushed; I wilted wiv despair,
When, like a rosy flame,
I sees a angel standin' there
'Oo calls me by me name.
'E 'ad such soft, such shiny eyes;
'E 'eld 'is 'and and smiled;
And through the gates o' Paradise
'E led me like a child.

'E led me by them golden palms
Wot 'ems that jeweled street;
And seraphs was a-singin' psalms,
You've no ideer 'ow sweet;
Wiv cheroobs crowdin' closer round
Than peas is in a pod,
'E led me to a shiny mound
Where beams the throne o' God.

And then I 'ears God's werry voice:
"Bill 'agan, 'ave no fear.
Stand up and glory and rejoice
For 'im 'oo led you 'ere."
And in a nip I seemed to see:
Aye, like a flash o' light,
My angel pal I knew to be
The chap I plugged last night.

Now, I don't claim to understand --
They calls me Bonehead Bill;
They shoves a rifle in me 'and,
And show me 'ow to kill.
Me job's to risk me life and limb,
But . . . be it wrong or right,
This cross I'm makin', it's for 'im,
The cove I croaked last night.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Bonehead Bill: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Have you ever heard of Bonehead Bill? If you haven't, then you're in for a treat. Bonehead Bill is a classic poem written by Robert Service, and it has been enjoyed by readers for decades. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll take a closer look at this masterpiece and see what makes it so special.

Background

Before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a moment to talk about the author. Robert Service was a Scottish-Canadian poet and writer who lived from 1874 to 1958. He is best known for his poems about the Canadian North, and he is often referred to as the "Bard of the Yukon." Service was famous for his simple, yet powerful language, and his ability to capture the spirit of the North.

Now, let's talk about Bonehead Bill. This poem was first published in 1933 and is part of a collection called Rhymes of a Red Cross Man. The poem tells the story of a man named Bonehead Bill, who is a soldier in World War I. The poem is a satirical take on the war and the soldiers who fought in it. Service uses humor and irony to criticize the war and the way it was fought.

The Poem

The poem begins with the introduction of Bonehead Bill. He is described as a "simpleton" who is "blundering" and "clumsy." Right away, we get the sense that Bill is not the sharpest tool in the shed. But despite his shortcomings, he is eager to fight for his country.

Now Bill was a blunderer,
A stumbling, bumbling fool,
Who could never do anything right,
In spite of the military school.

As the poem continues, we see Bill go off to war. He is described as a "hero" by the people back home, but in reality, he is far from it. Bill bumbles his way through battle, accidentally shooting his own men and getting lost in no man's land.

When Bill went out to the war
He was hailed with trumpet and drum,
But he never could learn the bugle call,
Though it roused him up like a chum.
He blundered away in the night,
He blundered in blood and in mud;
Till the boys began to say in spite,
"Bill's not a bad sort of bud."

Despite his incompetence, Bill manages to survive the war and returns home a hero. The people in his town celebrate him, even though he knows that he doesn't deserve it. In the end, Bill realizes that war is not something to be celebrated, and he becomes an anti-war advocate.

But when Bill was home again,
And people began to cheer,
He said "I've fought for my country,
But I never want to fight again, dear."
And now he's a peaceful citizen,
And he hates the thought of war;
Saying, "It's a curse, and a crime, and a sin,
And we don't want it any more."

Interpretation

So, what does Bonehead Bill mean? At its core, the poem is a criticism of war and the way it was fought in World War I. Service uses humor and irony to show how unprepared and unskilled the soldiers were. The fact that Bonehead Bill is celebrated as a hero shows just how misguided society was in their view of war.

But the poem is not just a criticism of war. It is also a commentary on heroism and what it means to be a hero. Bonehead Bill is not a hero in the traditional sense of the word. He is not brave or skilled in battle. But he is a hero in his own way. He survives the war and becomes an anti-war advocate, which is a brave stance to take.

The poem is also a commentary on the power of propaganda. The people back home see Bonehead Bill as a hero, even though he is anything but. They are blinded by the propaganda machine that tells them that war is glorious and that soldiers are heroes. Service is showing how dangerous this kind of thinking can be.

Conclusion

Bonehead Bill is a masterpiece of poetry. It is a powerful criticism of war, heroism, and propaganda. Service's use of humor and irony makes the poem both entertaining and thought-provoking. More than 80 years after it was first published, Bonehead Bill remains relevant and powerful. It is a reminder that war is not something to be celebrated and that heroes come in many different forms.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Bonehead Bill: A Classic Poem by Robert Service

If you're a fan of classic poetry, then you've probably heard of Robert Service. He's the man behind some of the most iconic poems of the 20th century, including "The Cremation of Sam McGee" and "The Shooting of Dan McGrew." But one of his lesser-known works is a poem called "Bonehead Bill," which tells the story of a hapless criminal who just can't seem to catch a break.

At its core, "Bonehead Bill" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and the consequences of making bad decisions. The poem follows the titular character, a small-time crook who dreams of hitting it big and living the high life. But despite his best efforts, Bill just can't seem to make his criminal schemes work.

The poem opens with a description of Bill's appearance: "He was tall and thin and lank and lean, / With a face like a hatchet and a nose like a bean." Right away, we get a sense of Bill's physicality – he's not exactly a handsome man. But more importantly, we get a sense of his personality. The words "hatchet" and "bean" suggest a certain sharpness and cunning, but also a sense of humor and whimsy.

From there, the poem takes us through a series of failed heists and botched robberies. Bill tries to rob a bank, but gets caught by the police. He tries to steal a car, but crashes it into a tree. He even tries to rob a train, but ends up getting run over by it. Each time, Bill is left battered and bruised, but still determined to make his fortune.

What's interesting about "Bonehead Bill" is the way it plays with our expectations. We expect Bill to be a bumbling fool, but he's actually quite clever in his own way. He comes up with elaborate plans and schemes, and he's always thinking on his feet. But no matter how hard he tries, he just can't seem to catch a break.

Part of the reason for this is that Bill is too focused on the end goal – the money and the fame – and not enough on the process. He's always looking for the quick and easy score, rather than putting in the hard work and effort that it takes to succeed. This is a common theme in Service's work, and it's one that still resonates today.

But there's also a sense of tragedy to "Bonehead Bill." Despite his flaws and his mistakes, we can't help but feel sorry for him. He's a man who's been dealt a bad hand in life, and he's just trying to make the best of it. He's a dreamer, a schemer, and a bit of a fool, but he's also a human being with hopes and fears and desires.

In the end, "Bonehead Bill" is a poem about the human condition – about our struggles and our failures, but also about our resilience and our determination. It's a reminder that even when things seem hopeless, we can still find a way to keep going. And it's a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complexities of the human experience in just a few short lines.

So if you're looking for a classic poem that's both entertaining and thought-provoking, look no further than "Bonehead Bill." It's a gem of a poem that deserves to be read and appreciated by generations to come.

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