'A Song of the Sandbags' by Robert W. Service
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No, Bill, I'm not a-spooning out no patriotic tosh
(The cove be'ind the sandbags ain't a death-or-glory cuss).
And though I strafes 'em good and 'ard I doesn't 'ate the Boche,
I guess they're mostly decent, just the same as most of us.
I guess they loves their 'omes and kids as much as you or me;
And just the same as you or me they'd rather shake than fight;
And if we'd 'appened to be born at Berlin-on-the-Spree,
We'd be out there with 'Ans and Fritz, dead sure that we was right.
A-standin' up to the sandbags
It's funny the thoughts wot come;
Starin' into the darkness,
'Earin' the bullets 'um;
(Zing! Zip! Ping! Rip!
'ark 'ow the bullets 'um!)
A-leanin' against the sandbags
Wiv me rifle under me ear,
Oh, I've 'ad more thoughts on a sentry-go
Than I used to 'ave in a year.
I wonder, Bill, if 'Ans and Fritz is wonderin' like me
Wot's at the bottom of it all? Wot all the slaughter's for?
'E thinks 'e's right (of course 'e ain't) but this we both agree,
If them as made it 'ad to fight, there wouldn't be no war.
If them as lies in feather beds while we kips in the mud;
If them as makes their fortoons while we fights for 'em like 'ell;
If them as slings their pot of ink just 'ad to sling their blood:
By Crust! I'm thinkin' there 'ud be another tale to tell.
Shiverin' up to the sandbags,
With a hicicle 'stead of a spine,
Don't it seem funny the things you think
'Ere in the firin' line:
(Whee! Whut! Ziz! Zut!
Lord! 'ow the bullets whine!)
Hunkerin' down when a star-shell
Cracks in a sputter of light,
You can jaw to yer soul by the sandbags
Most any old time o' night.
They talks o' England's glory and a-'oldin' of our trade,
Of Empire and 'igh destiny until we're fair flim-flammed;
But if it's for the likes o' that that bloody war is made,
Then wot I say is: Empire and 'igh destiny be damned!
There's only one good cause, Bill, for poor blokes like us to fight:
That's self-defence, for 'earth and 'ome, and them that bears our name;
And that's wot I'm a-doin' by the sandbags 'ere to-night. . . .
But Fritz out there will tell you 'e's a-doin' of the same.
Starin' over the sandbags,
Sick of the 'ole damn thing;
Firin' to keep meself awake,
'Earin' the bullets sing.
(Hiss! Twang! Tsing! Pang!
Saucy the bullets sing.)
Dreamin' 'ere by the sandbags
Of a day when war will cease,
When 'Ans and Fritz and Bill and me
Will clink our mugs in fraternity,
And the Brotherhood of Labour will be
The Brotherhood of Peace.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Song of the Sandbags: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you ready to be transported back in time to the trenches of World War I? Robert W. Service's "A Song of the Sandbags" does just that, with its vivid imagery and emotionally charged language. This poem is a compelling reflection on the bravery and sacrifice of soldiers during one of the most devastating wars in history.
Background
Robert W. Service was a British-Canadian poet and writer who served as an ambulance driver in World War I. He was known for his poetry that captured the experiences of soldiers on the front lines. "A Song of the Sandbags" was written in 1916, during the height of the war.
The poem is written in Service's signature style, with its clear and direct language that conveys a sense of urgency and immediacy. It is structured as a series of six stanzas, each with four lines that rhyme in an ABAB pattern.
Interpretation
At its core, "A Song of the Sandbags" is a tribute to the soldiers who fought and died in the trenches. The sandbags referred to in the title were used to fortify the trenches and protect soldiers from enemy fire. The poem opens with the lines:
Ho, you slingers of spells,
Apes in the days of old,
Step out of your ruddy shells
And show what you're worth in gold.
These lines set the tone for the poem, with their bold and challenging language. The speaker is addressing the soldiers directly, calling them "slingers of spells" and "apes in the days of old." This language is both respectful and irreverent, acknowledging the soldiers' bravery while also recognizing their humanity.
The first stanza continues:
For we've paid in the sweat of our souls
And in agony and tears,
And we've dug for dear life like moles,
And we've taken our fill of fears.
Here, the speaker acknowledges the sacrifices that the soldiers have made. They have given their all, working tirelessly to protect their country and their fellow soldiers. The line "And we've taken our fill of fears" is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the soldiers have faced their fears head-on and persevered despite them.
The second stanza describes the horrors of war in vivid detail:
We've been smashed by the shrapnel's breath,
We've been ripped by the mitrailleuse,
We've been stunned by the guns of death,
We've been choked in the gas-choked breeze.
The imagery here is both shocking and haunting. The soldiers have been "smashed" and "ripped" by enemy fire, and "choked in the gas-choked breeze." The use of repetition in this stanza emphasizes the relentlessness of the war and its destructive power.
The third stanza shifts the focus to the soldiers' bravery:
Yet we've stuck to our task through all,
We've held the line with a grip,
And we've carried the wounded back from the brawl
With a song on our parched-up lip.
Despite the horrors they have faced, the soldiers have remained steadfast in their duty. They have "held the line" and "carried the wounded back from the brawl" with a sense of determination and courage. The line "With a song on our parched-up lip" is particularly striking, as it suggests that even in the face of death, the soldiers have not lost their humanity or their spirit.
The fourth stanza is a call to action:
So come on, you slingers of spells,
And show us what you can do,
We're waiting here in our trenches and hells
To cheer you the long day through.
The speaker is urging the soldiers to continue fighting and to show their worth. The line "We're waiting here in our trenches and hells" emphasizes the difficult conditions that the soldiers are facing, while the phrase "To cheer you the long day through" suggests that the soldiers' efforts are appreciated and valued.
The fifth stanza continues this theme:
The roar of the guns is our song,
And the crash of the shells our refrain,
For we know that right is might, and long
May it be ere we sing again.
Here, the speaker is acknowledging the central paradox of war: the violence and destruction that it entails are ultimately in service of a greater good. The line "For we know that right is might" suggests that the soldiers are fighting for a just cause and that their efforts will ultimately be rewarded.
Finally, the sixth stanza concludes the poem:
So here's to our country's health,
And here's to our country's flag,
And here's to our dead who have died for wealth
And the glory that never will lag.
The speaker is saluting their country and its flag, while also paying tribute to the soldiers who have died in the conflict. The line "And here's to our dead who have died for wealth / And the glory that never will lag" is a powerful statement on the futility of war, suggesting that the human cost of conflict far outweighs any rewards.
Themes
The primary theme of "A Song of the Sandbags" is the bravery and sacrifice of soldiers in war. The poem celebrates the soldiers' efforts while also acknowledging the horrors they have faced. It is a tribute to their humanity and their determination in the face of unimaginable hardship.
Another theme of the poem is the paradox of war. The violence and destruction of war are ultimately in service of a greater good, but at what cost? The poem raises questions about the morality of war and the human toll it takes.
Conclusion
Robert W. Service's "A Song of the Sandbags" is a powerful reflection on the experiences of soldiers in World War I. The poem captures the bravery and sacrifice of these soldiers while also acknowledging the horrors they have faced. It is a testament to their humanity and their determination in the face of unimaginable hardship. As we reflect on the centenary of World War I, this poem serves as a reminder of the human cost of war and the need to strive for peace.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A Song of the Sandbags: A Classic Poem by Robert W. Service
Robert W. Service is a name that is synonymous with poetry. He is known for his ability to capture the essence of life in his poems. One of his most famous works is A Song of the Sandbags. This poem is a tribute to the soldiers who fought in World War I. It is a powerful and emotional piece that captures the horrors of war and the bravery of those who fought in it.
The poem begins with the line, "Ho, all you brave-hearted gentlemen, come and listen to my song." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It is a call to all those who are willing to listen to the story of the soldiers who fought in the war. The poem is written in a conversational tone, as if the speaker is addressing a group of people.
The first stanza of the poem describes the soldiers as they march to the front lines. The soldiers are described as "grim and dirty" as they trudge through the mud. The imagery in this stanza is vivid and powerful. The reader can almost feel the weight of the soldiers' packs and the mud on their boots.
The second stanza of the poem describes the soldiers as they dig trenches and build sandbags. The sandbags are described as "ugly things" that are "heavy as lead." The soldiers are shown to be working tirelessly, day and night, to build these defenses. The imagery in this stanza is also vivid and powerful. The reader can almost feel the weight of the sandbags and the exhaustion of the soldiers.
The third stanza of the poem describes the soldiers as they wait for the enemy to attack. The soldiers are shown to be nervous and scared. They are described as "tense as fiddle-strings" as they wait for the enemy to appear. The imagery in this stanza is also vivid and powerful. The reader can almost feel the tension in the air and the fear in the soldiers' hearts.
The fourth stanza of the poem describes the soldiers as they fight the enemy. The soldiers are shown to be brave and courageous as they face the enemy. The imagery in this stanza is also vivid and powerful. The reader can almost feel the heat of the battle and the adrenaline pumping through the soldiers' veins.
The fifth stanza of the poem describes the aftermath of the battle. The soldiers are shown to be exhausted and wounded. The imagery in this stanza is also vivid and powerful. The reader can almost feel the pain of the soldiers' wounds and the exhaustion of their bodies.
The final stanza of the poem is a tribute to the soldiers who fought in the war. The soldiers are described as "heroes" who "fought and bled and died." The imagery in this stanza is also vivid and powerful. The reader can almost feel the weight of the soldiers' sacrifice and the honor of their bravery.
Overall, A Song of the Sandbags is a powerful and emotional poem that captures the essence of war. Robert W. Service has a unique ability to capture the emotions and experiences of the soldiers who fought in World War I. His use of vivid imagery and conversational tone make the poem relatable and accessible to all readers. This poem is a tribute to the soldiers who fought in the war and a reminder of the sacrifices they made for their country.
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