'The Song Of The Camp-Fire' by Robert Service
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Heed me, feed me, I am hungry, I am red-tongued with desire;
Boughs of balsam, slabs of cedar, gummy fagots of the pine,
Heap them on me, let me hug them to my eager heart of fire,
Roaring, soaring up to heaven as a symbol and a sign.
Bring me knots of sunny maple, silver birch and tamarack;
Leaping, sweeping, I will lap them with my ardent wings of flame;
I will kindle them to glory, I will beat the darkness back;
Streaming, gleaming, I will goad them to my glory and my fame.
Bring me gnarly limbs of live-oak, aid me in my frenzied fight;
Strips of iron-wood, scaly blue-gum, writhing redly in my hold;
With my lunge of lurid lances, with my whips that flail the night,
They will burgeon into beauty, they will foliate in gold.
Let me star the dim sierras, stab with light the inland seas;
Roaming wind and roaring darkness! seek no mercy at my hands;
I will mock the marly heavens, lamp the purple prairies,
I will flaunt my deathless banners down the far, unhouseled lands.
In the vast and vaulted pine-gloom where the pillared forests frown,
By the sullen, bestial rivers running where God only knows,
On the starlit coral beaches when the combers thunder down,
In the death-spell of the barrens, in the shudder of the snows;
In a blazing belt of triumph from the palm-leaf to the pine,
As a symbol of defiance lo! the wilderness I span;
And my beacons burn exultant as an everlasting sign
Of unending domination, of the mastery of Man;
I, the Life, the fierce Uplifter, I that weaned him from the mire;
I, the angel and the devil, I, the tyrant and the slave;
I, the Spirit of the Struggle; I, the mighty God of Fire;
I, the Maker and Destroyer; I, the Giver and the Grave.
II
Gather round me, boy and grey-beard, frontiersman of every kind.
Few are you, and far and lonely, yet an army forms behind:
By your camp-fires shall they know you, ashes scattered to the wind.
Peer into my heart of solace, break your bannock at my blaze;
Smoking, stretched in lazy shelter, build your castles as you gaze;
Or, it may be, deep in dreaming, think of dim, unhappy days.
Let my warmth and glow caress you, for your trails are grim and hard;
Let my arms of comfort press you, hunger-hewn and battle-scarred:
O my lovers! how I bless you with your lives so madly marred!
For you seek the silent spaces, and their secret lore you glean:
For you win the savage races, and the brutish Wild you wean;
And I gladden desert places, where camp-fire has never been.
From the Pole unto the Tropics is there trail ye have not dared?
And because you hold death lightly, so by death shall you be spared,
(As the sages of the ages in their pages have declared).
On the roaring Arkilinik in a leaky bark canoe;
Up the cloud of Mount McKinley, where the avalanche leaps through;
In the furnace of Death Valley, when the mirage glimmers blue.
Now a smudge of wiry willows on the weary Kuskoquim;
Now a flare of gummy pine-knots where Vancouver's scaur is grim;
Now a gleam of sunny ceiba, when the Cuban beaches dim.
Always, always God's Great Open: lo! I burn with keener light
In the corridors of silence, in the vestibules of night;
'Mid the ferns and grasses gleaming, was there ever gem so bright?
Not for weaklings, not for women, like my brother of the hearth;
Ring your songs of wrath around me, I was made for manful mirth,
In the lusty, gusty greatness, on the bald spots of the earth.
Men, my masters! men, my lovers! ye have fought and ye have bled;
Gather round my ruddy embers, softly glowing is my bed;
By my heart of solace dreaming, rest ye and be comforted!
III
I am dying, O my masters! by my fitful flame ye sleep;
My purple plumes of glory droop forlorn.
Grey ashes choke and cloak me, and above the pines there creep
The stealthy silver moccasins of morn.
There comes a countless army, it's the Legion of the Light;
It tramps in gleaming triumph round the world;
And before its jewelled lances all the shadows of the night
Back in to abysmal darknesses are hurled.
Leap to life again, my lovers! ye must toil and never tire;
The day of daring, doing, brightens clear,
When the bed of spicy cedar and the jovial camp-fire
Must only be a memory of cheer.
There is hope and golden promise in the vast portentous dawn;
There is glamour in the glad, effluent sky:
Go and leave me; I will dream of you and love you when you're gone;
I have served you, O my masters! let me die.
A little heap of ashes, grey and sodden by the rain,
Wind-scattered, blurred and blotted by the snow:
Let that be all to tell of me, and glorious again,
Ye things of greening gladness, leap and glow!
A black scar in the sunshine by the palm-leaf or the pine,
Blind to the night and dead to all desire;
Yet oh, of life and uplift what a symbol and a sign!
Yet oh, of power and conquest what a destiny is mine!
A little heap of ashes -- Yea! a miracle divine,
The foot-print of a god, all-radiant Fire.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Song Of The Camp-Fire: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
The Song Of The Camp-Fire by Robert Service is a classic poem that captures the essence of life in the wild, and the unique experiences that come with it. The poem, written in Service's signature style, is both evocative and captivating, taking the reader on a journey through the rugged terrain of the wilderness, and the trials and tribulations of those who call it home.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the themes that Service explores in his poem, and examine the techniques he employs to convey his message. We will explore the imagery, symbolism, and metaphorical language that Service uses, and evaluate how they contribute to the overall impact of the poem.
Analysis
Themes
The Song Of The Camp-Fire explores several themes that are central to life in the wilderness. One of the most prominent themes is the importance of community and camaraderie. Service portrays the camp-fire as a unifying force that brings people together, regardless of their differences. This is evident in the following lines:
For the sake of a comrade old and gray,
For the sake of a sweetheart true,
We'll tighten our belts and we'll march away,
And sing as the good men do.
Here, Service highlights the bond that exists between soldiers, lovers, and friends, and the role that the camp-fire plays in nurturing these relationships. The poem celebrates the sense of togetherness that comes from sharing stories, songs, and food around the fire.
Another theme that Service explores in the poem is the transience of life. The wilderness is a harsh and unforgiving place, and death is always lurking around the corner. Service captures this idea in the following lines:
And some are gone from babbling brook,
And some from the mountain-side;
And some are coming with a smile,
And some with a sullen pride.
Here, the poet acknowledges the fragility of life, and the fact that death can strike at any moment. The camp-fire becomes a symbol of the fleeting nature of life, and the need to cherish every moment.
Imagery and Symbolism
Service uses vivid imagery and powerful symbolism to bring the poem to life. The most striking image in the poem is that of the camp-fire itself. The fire becomes a symbol of warmth, comfort, and companionship, as well as a source of light in the darkness. Service uses the fire as a metaphor for the human spirit, which can be kindled and nurtured through shared experiences:
Then grub comes up and the tins go round,
The coffee splutters in the pot;
The "boys" are there with their jest and jeer,
And the world is a goodly spot.
Here, the fire is shown to be the focal point of the evening, around which the men gather to share food and stories. The fire becomes a symbol of the human connection, and the sense of belonging that comes from being part of a community.
Service also uses powerful imagery to describe the natural world around the camp-fire. He paints a vivid picture of the rugged terrain, with its babbling brooks and craggy mountainsides:
Where the hills are thick with the berry brown,
And the wolf goes ranging free;
Where the mighty moose and the lone loon sound,
And the northern lights gleam eerily.
Through these images, Service captures the wildness and majesty of the natural world, and the sense of awe and wonder that it inspires.
Structure and Language
Service's use of language and structure is key to the impact of the poem. He employs a simple, straightforward style, with a regular rhythm and rhyme scheme, that gives the poem a sense of musicality and flow. The poem is written in quatrains, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which creates a sense of symmetry and balance:
We're the sons of the wilderness,
We're the men of the midnight sun,
We're the lads who are game for a thousand miles,
And the fun has only begun.
This simple structure allows Service to focus on the imagery and language of the poem, and to create a sense of continuity and coherence.
Service's use of language is also noteworthy. He employs a rich, evocative vocabulary that captures the essence of life in the wilderness. He uses vivid verbs and adjectives to describe the natural world, such as "babbling brook", "mighty moose", and "lone loon". These words help to create a sense of place and atmosphere, and to transport the reader to the wilds of the north.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Song Of The Camp-Fire is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the spirit of life in the wilderness. Through his use of imagery, symbolism, and language, Robert Service creates a vivid picture of the rugged terrain, the camaraderie of the camp-fire, and the fleeting nature of life. The poem celebrates the human connection, and the sense of belonging that comes from being part of a community. It is a timeless work of literature that continues to inspire and enthrall readers to this day.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Song of the Camp-Fire: A Poem That Captures the Spirit of Adventure
Robert Service's "The Song of the Camp-Fire" is a classic poem that captures the spirit of adventure and the joy of being in the great outdoors. The poem is a celebration of the campfire, which is a symbol of warmth, comfort, and companionship. It is a tribute to the camaraderie that develops among people who share a common love for nature and the wilderness.
The poem begins with a description of the campfire, which is "a flame of gold and crimson" that illuminates the darkness of the night. The fire is described as "a friend that never fails" and "a beacon bright and clear." The imagery used in the poem is vivid and evocative, creating a sense of warmth and comfort that is associated with the campfire.
The poem then goes on to describe the people who gather around the campfire. They are "men of every race and nation" who have come together to share their stories and experiences. The campfire is a place where people can forget their differences and come together as equals. It is a place where friendships are forged and memories are made.
The poem also touches on the theme of adventure. The people gathered around the campfire are adventurers who have "roamed the world together" and have "faced its storms and strife." They are people who have lived life to the fullest and have experienced all that the world has to offer. The campfire is a place where they can reflect on their adventures and share their stories with others.
The poem also celebrates the beauty of nature. The campfire is described as being "set in a world of wonder" where the stars shine bright and the moon casts a silver glow. The beauty of nature is a source of inspiration for the people gathered around the campfire. It is a reminder of the majesty and power of the natural world.
The poem ends with a call to action. The people gathered around the campfire are urged to "take up the trail again" and continue their adventures. They are reminded that life is short and that they should make the most of every moment. The campfire is a symbol of the journey that they have taken together, and it is a reminder that there is still much to explore and discover.
In conclusion, Robert Service's "The Song of the Camp-Fire" is a classic poem that captures the spirit of adventure and the joy of being in the great outdoors. The poem celebrates the campfire as a symbol of warmth, comfort, and companionship. It is a tribute to the camaraderie that develops among people who share a common love for nature and the wilderness. The poem is a call to action, urging people to continue their adventures and make the most of every moment. It is a timeless reminder of the beauty and power of the natural world and the importance of living life to the fullest.
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