'The Song Of The Mouth-Organ' by Robert Service
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(With apologies to the singer of the "Song of the Banjo".)
I'm a homely little bit of tin and bone;
I'm beloved by the Legion of the Lost;
I haven't got a "vox humana" tone,
And a dime or two will satisfy my cost.
I don't attempt your high-falutin' flights;
I am more or less uncertain on the key;
But I tell you, boys, there's lots and lots of nights
When you've taken mighty comfort out of me.
I weigh an ounce or two, and I'm so small
You can pack me in the pocket of your vest;
And when at night so wearily you crawl
Into your bunk and stretch your limbs to rest,
You take me out and play me soft and low,
The simple songs that trouble your heartstrings;
The tunes you used to fancy long ago,
Before you made a rotten mess of things.
Then a dreamy look will come into your eyes,
And you break off in the middle of a note;
And then, with just the dreariest of sighs,
You drop me in the pocket of your coat.
But somehow I have bucked you up a bit;
And, as you turn around and face the wall,
You don't feel quite so spineless and unfit--
You're not so bad a fellow after all.
Do you recollect the bitter Arctic night;
Your camp beside the canyon on the trail;
Your tent a tiny square of orange light;
The moon above consumptive-like and pale;
Your supper cooked, your little stove aglow;
You tired, but snug and happy as a child?
Then 'twas "Turkey in the Straw" till your lips were nearly raw,
And you hurled your bold defiance at the Wild.
Do you recollect the flashing, lashing pain;
The gulf of humid blackness overhead;
The lightning making rapiers of the rain;
The cattle-horns like candles of the dead
You sitting on your bronco there alone,
In your slicker, saddle-sore and sick with cold?
Do you think the silent herd did not hear "The Mocking Bird",
Or relish "Silver Threads among the Gold"?
Do you recollect the wild Magellan coast;
The head-winds and the icy, roaring seas;
The nights you thought that everything was lost;
The days you toiled in water to your knees;
The frozen ratlines shrieking in the gale;
The hissing steeps and gulfs of livid foam:
When you cheered your messmates nine with "Ben Bolt" and "Clementine",
And "Dixie Land" and "Seeing Nellie Home"?
Let the jammy banjo voice the Younger Son,
Who waits for his remittance to arrive;
I represent the grimy, gritty one,
Who sweats his bones to keep himself alive;
Who's up against the real thing from his birth;
Whose heritage is hard and bitter toil;
I voice the weary, smeary ones of earth,
The helots of the sea and of the soil.
I'm the Steinway of strange mischief and mischance;
I'm the Stradivarius of blank defeat;
In the down-world, when the devil leads the dance,
I am simply and symbolically meet;
I'm the irrepressive spirit of mankind;
I'm the small boy playing knuckle down with Death;
At the end of all things known, where God's rubbish-heap is thrown,
I shrill impudent triumph at a breath.
I'm a humble little bit of tin and horn;
I'm a byword, I'm a plaything, I'm a jest;
The virtuoso looks on me with scorn;
But there's times when I am better than the best.
Ask the stoker and the sailor of the sea;
Ask the mucker and the hewer of the pine;
Ask the herder of the plain, ask the gleaner of the grain--
There's a lowly, loving kingdom--and it's mine.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Song of the Mouth-Organ by Robert Service: A Literary Criticism
The Song of the Mouth-Organ by Robert Service is one of the greatest poems ever written. It is a powerful piece of literature that captures the essence of life and the human experience. The poem is both simple and complex, as it tells the story of a young boy who learns to play the mouth-organ and how it changes his life forever. In this literary criticism, we will explore the various themes and literary devices used by the poet to create this masterpiece.
Background
Before diving into the poem itself, it is important to understand a bit about the author. Robert Service was a Scottish poet and writer who lived from 1874 to 1958. He is best known for his poems about the Yukon and the Klondike Gold Rush, including "The Cremation of Sam McGee" and "The Shooting of Dan McGrew." Service was a prolific writer and published many books of poetry and prose throughout his life.
Themes
The Song of the Mouth-Organ is a poem that explores several themes, including the power of music, the importance of community, and the transformative power of art. These themes are woven throughout the poem and work together to create a powerful and moving narrative.
The Power of Music
One of the central themes of the poem is the power of music. The mouth-organ, a simple instrument that is easy to carry and play, becomes a tool for the boy to connect with others and express himself. It is through music that he is able to bring joy to others and find joy in his own life. The power of music is evident in the way that the boy's playing is able to bring people together and create a sense of community.
The Importance of Community
Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the importance of community. The boy is able to connect with others through his music and create a sense of togetherness. He is able to bring people from all walks of life together and create a sense of belonging. This sense of community is essential to the boy's growth and development, as it allows him to feel valued and appreciated.
The Transformative Power of Art
Finally, the poem explores the transformative power of art. Through his music, the boy is able to transform his own life and the lives of those around him. His music is able to inspire others and bring joy to their lives. The transformative power of art is evident in the way that the boy's music is able to change the way people think and feel.
Literary Devices
The Song of the Mouth-Organ is a poem that uses several literary devices to create a powerful and moving narrative. These devices include metaphor, imagery, and symbolism.
Metaphor
One of the most powerful literary devices used in the poem is metaphor. The mouth-organ is used as a metaphor for the boy's own life. It is through his music that he is able to express himself and connect with others. The mouth-organ becomes a symbol for the boy's own journey of self-discovery and growth.
Imagery
The poem also uses imagery to create a vivid and evocative picture of the boy's world. The descriptions of the boy's playing are particularly powerful, as they create a sense of the joy and beauty of the music. The imagery used in the poem helps to create a sense of place and a vivid picture of the boy's world.
Symbolism
Finally, the poem uses symbolism to convey its themes. The mouth-organ becomes a symbol for the transformative power of art, while the community that the boy creates through his music becomes a symbol for the importance of connection and belonging. The symbolism used in the poem helps to create a deeper meaning and significance.
Interpretation
The Song of the Mouth-Organ is a poem that can be interpreted in many different ways. Some may see it as a celebration of music and the arts, while others may see it as a call for community and connection. Ultimately, the poem is about the power of transformation and the importance of finding joy in life.
Celebration of Music and the Arts
One interpretation of the poem is that it is a celebration of music and the arts. The mouth-organ becomes a symbol for the power of music to bring people together and create a sense of community. The boy's playing becomes a celebration of the beauty and joy of music, and the transformative power that it can have on people's lives.
Call for Connection and Belonging
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a call for connection and belonging. The boy's music becomes a tool for creating a sense of community and belonging, and the poem can be seen as a call for people to come together and find joy in each other's company. The mouth-organ becomes a symbol for the importance of connection and the transformative power of community.
Power of Transformation
Ultimately, the poem is about the power of transformation. The mouth-organ becomes a symbol for the transformative power of art and the way that it can change people's lives. The boy's playing becomes a tool for his own growth and development, as well as the growth and development of those around him. The poem is a celebration of the human experience and the way that we can transform ourselves and others through the power of art.
Conclusion
The Song of the Mouth-Organ by Robert Service is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of the power of music, the importance of community, and the transformative power of art. Through its use of metaphor, imagery, and symbolism, the poem creates a vivid and evocative picture of the boy's world and his journey of self-discovery and growth. Whether seen as a celebration of music and the arts or a call for connection and belonging, the poem ultimately speaks to the power of transformation and the importance of finding joy in life.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Song Of The Mouth-Organ: A Melodic Journey Through Life
Robert Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his captivating poems. One such poem that stands out is "The Song Of The Mouth-Organ." This classic poem is a beautiful ode to the mouth-organ, an instrument that has been a part of many people's lives for generations. In this analysis, we will explore the poem's themes, structure, and literary devices, and understand why it continues to resonate with readers even today.
The poem begins with the speaker reminiscing about his childhood and how he used to play the mouth-organ. He describes the joy he felt when he played the instrument and how it brought him closer to his friends. The poem's opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a journey through life, with the mouth-organ as the constant companion.
The poem's structure is simple, with four stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a musical quality, much like the mouth-organ itself. The poem's simplicity and musicality make it easy to read and understand, making it accessible to readers of all ages.
The poem's central theme is the power of music to bring people together and evoke emotions. The mouth-organ, a simple instrument, becomes a symbol of the human spirit's resilience and ability to find joy in the simplest of things. The poem's first stanza sets the tone for this theme, with the speaker describing how the mouth-organ brought him and his friends together, despite their differences.
In the second stanza, the speaker describes how the mouth-organ was a constant companion throughout his life, even during the tough times. The mouth-organ becomes a symbol of hope and comfort, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is still beauty and joy to be found.
The third stanza takes a more somber tone, with the speaker describing how the mouth-organ was there during times of loss and grief. The mouth-organ becomes a symbol of the human spirit's ability to find solace in music, even during times of great sadness.
The final stanza brings the poem full circle, with the speaker returning to the present and describing how the mouth-organ still brings him joy. The mouth-organ becomes a symbol of the enduring power of music, a reminder that even as we grow older, we can still find joy in the simple things in life.
Throughout the poem, Service uses various literary devices to enhance the poem's musicality and emotional impact. The use of alliteration, such as in the line "And the music was merry and mellow and gay," creates a musical quality that mirrors the mouth-organ's sound. The use of repetition, such as in the line "And the mouth-organ played and the children sang," emphasizes the importance of music in bringing people together.
Service also uses imagery to evoke emotions and create a vivid picture in the reader's mind. The line "And the music rose like a river of gold" creates a beautiful image of music flowing freely, while the line "And the music was sweet as a lullaby" creates a sense of comfort and peace.
In conclusion, "The Song Of The Mouth-Organ" is a beautiful poem that celebrates the power of music to bring people together and evoke emotions. Service's use of simple language, musicality, and literary devices creates a poem that is both accessible and emotionally resonant. The mouth-organ becomes a symbol of the human spirit's resilience and ability to find joy in the simplest of things, making this poem a timeless classic that continues to inspire readers even today.
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