'The Song Of The Soldier-Born' by Robert Service
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Give me the scorn of the stars and a peak defiant;
Wail of the pines and a wind with the shout of a giant;
Night and a trail unknown and a heart reliant.
Give me to live and love in the old, bold fashion;
A soldier's billet at night and a soldier's ration;
A heart that leaps to the fight with a soldier's passion.
For I hold as a simple faith there's no denying:
The trade of a soldier's the only trade worth plying;
The death of a soldier's the only death worth dying.
So let me go and leave your safety behind me;
Go to the spaces of hazard where nothing shall bind me;
Go till the word is War -- and then you will find me.
Then you will call me and claim me because you will need me;
Cheer me and gird me and into the battle-wrath speed me. . . .
And when it's over, spurn me and no longer heed me.
For guile and a purse gold-greased are the arms you carry;
With deeds of paper you fight and with pens you parry;
You call on the hounds of the law your foes to harry.
You with your "Art for its own sake", posing and prinking;
You with your "Live and be merry", eating and drinking;
You with your "Peace at all hazard", from bright blood shrinking.
Fools! I will tell you now: though the red rain patters,
And a million of men go down, it's little it matters. . . .
There's the Flag upflung to the stars, though it streams in tatters.
There's a glory gold never can buy to yearn and to cry for;
There's a hope that's as old as the sky to suffer and sigh for;
There's a faith that out-dazzles the sun to martyr and die for.
Ah no! it's my dream that War will never be ended;
That men will perish like men, and valour be splendid;
That the Flag by the sword will be served, and honour defended.
That the tale of my fights will never be ancient story;
That though my eye may be dim and my beard be hoary,
I'll die as a soldier dies on the Field of Glory.
So give me a strong right arm for a wrong's swift righting;
Stave of a song on my lips as my sword is smiting;
Death in my boots may-be, but fighting, fighting.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Song Of The Soldier-Born: A Literary Masterpiece
As I sit down to write about Robert Service's classic poem, The Song Of The Soldier-Born, my heart beats faster with excitement. This poem is not just a piece of literature but a reflection of the human spirit. It captures the essence of what it means to be a soldier and what it takes to fight for one's country. With its vivid imagery and powerful metaphorical language, this poem stands out as a masterpiece of modern poetry.
Overview
The Song Of The Soldier-Born is a narrative poem that tells the story of a young man who leaves his home to join the army. It traces his journey from a farm in the countryside to the battlefield where he fights for his country. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each representing a different phase of the soldier's life. The first stanza describes the soldier's upbringing and his strong desire to serve his country. The second stanza depicts his recruitment and training, while the third stanza describes his experiences on the battlefield. The final stanza is a reflection on the soldier's life and legacy.
The Soldier's Upbringing
The poem begins with a description of the soldier's upbringing in a rural setting. The narrator describes the soldier's father as a hardworking man who taught his son the virtues of courage, honor, and duty. The soldier grows up with a deep love for his country, and a desire to serve it. The poem highlights the importance of family and community in shaping the soldier's character.
Recruitment and Training
The second stanza describes the soldier's recruitment and training. The poem highlights the rigorous physical and mental training that soldiers undergo to prepare them for battle. The soldier is portrayed as determined and disciplined, willing to endure any hardship to become a soldier. The poem emphasizes the importance of discipline and preparation in the life of a soldier.
The Battlefield
The third stanza is the most powerful and emotional part of the poem. It describes the soldier's experiences on the battlefield, where he faces death and destruction. The poem captures the horrors of war, the pain of losing friends, and the fear of death. The soldier is portrayed as a hero, facing his fears with courage and determination. The poem emphasizes the sacrifice that soldiers make for their country, and the price they pay for their service.
Reflection and Legacy
The final stanza is a reflection on the soldier's life and legacy. The poem emphasizes the importance of remembering the sacrifices of soldiers and honoring their memory. The soldier is portrayed as a hero, who gave his life for the freedom of his country. The poem ends with a call to action, urging the reader to remember the soldier's sacrifice and continue the fight for freedom.
Literary Devices
The Song Of The Soldier-Born is a masterpiece of modern poetry, in large part due to its effective use of literary devices. The poem employs a variety of techniques to create vivid imagery and powerful metaphors. Some of the most notable literary devices used in the poem include:
Repetition
The poem uses repetition to create a sense of urgency and intensity. The phrase "soldier-born" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the soldier's identity and purpose. The repetition of certain words and phrases also creates a sense of rhythm and flow in the poem.
Imagery
The poem uses vivid imagery to create a sense of realism and emotion. The descriptions of the soldier's training, the battlefield, and the soldier's death are all depicted in vivid detail. The imagery creates a powerful emotional impact on the reader, helping us to understand the soldier's experiences and the sacrifices he made.
Metaphor
The poem uses metaphorical language to convey complex ideas and emotions. The soldier is compared to a "flame that burns in the night" and "a shaft of light in a darkened land." These metaphors create a sense of heroism and nobility, elevating the soldier's sacrifices to a higher level of meaning.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Song Of The Soldier-Born is a literary masterpiece that offers a powerful reflection on the sacrifices of soldiers. The poem captures the essence of what it means to be a soldier, and the price that soldiers pay for their service. The effective use of literary devices creates a vivid and emotional portrait of the soldier's life, making this poem one of the most memorable and inspiring works of modern poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Song of the Soldier-Born: A Classic Poem by Robert Service
Robert Service is a name that is synonymous with poetry. His works have been celebrated for their vivid imagery, powerful emotions, and timeless themes. One of his most famous poems is The Song of the Soldier-Born. This classic piece of literature has captured the hearts and minds of readers for generations. In this article, we will take a closer look at this poem and explore its meaning, themes, and significance.
The Song of the Soldier-Born is a poem that tells the story of a soldier who is born to fight. The poem begins with the soldier's birth and follows his life as he grows up and becomes a warrior. The soldier is depicted as a fearless and brave individual who is willing to risk everything for his country. He is a symbol of patriotism and heroism, and his story is one that inspires and motivates.
The poem is written in a simple and straightforward style, which makes it easy to understand and appreciate. The language is powerful and evocative, and the imagery is vivid and striking. The poem is divided into several stanzas, each of which tells a different part of the soldier's story. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, and it describes the soldier's birth and his destiny to become a warrior.
"Born in the hour of India's peril,
Of English blood and of Indian soil,
He was never meant to rest or linger,
To stay and play with a toy or foil."
These lines establish the soldier's heritage and his purpose in life. He is born at a time when his country is in peril, and he is destined to fight for its freedom. The poem goes on to describe the soldier's childhood and his training as a warrior. He is taught to be strong, brave, and fearless, and he learns to love his country above all else.
"He learned to ride and to shoot and to swim,
To march and to drill and to play the game,
To follow the flag, to fight and to die,
To sink or swim, to lose or to win."
These lines capture the essence of the soldier's training. He is taught to be a master of all the skills that a warrior needs, and he is prepared to give his life for his country. The poem then moves on to describe the soldier's experiences in battle. He is depicted as a fierce and determined fighter who never gives up, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
"He fought in the sun and he fought in the rain,
He fought in the jungle and he fought on the plain,
He fought in the mountains and he fought in the sand,
He fought for his country and he fought for his land."
These lines describe the soldier's bravery and dedication. He is willing to fight in any conditions and in any terrain, and he does so with a sense of duty and honor. The poem then goes on to describe the soldier's death, which is depicted as a heroic and noble sacrifice.
"And when he died, they buried him deep,
In a grave that was hallowed and holy and sweet,
And they carved on his tombstone these words so true,
Here lies a soldier who was born to do."
These lines are perhaps the most powerful in the entire poem. They capture the essence of the soldier's life and his purpose. He was born to fight, and he did so with honor and courage. His death is depicted as a noble sacrifice, and his memory is honored with a hallowed and holy grave.
The Song of the Soldier-Born is a poem that celebrates the virtues of patriotism, heroism, and sacrifice. It is a tribute to all those who have fought and died for their country, and it is a reminder of the importance of these values. The poem is timeless in its themes and its message, and it continues to inspire and motivate readers to this day.
In conclusion, The Song of the Soldier-Born is a classic poem that is a testament to the power of literature. It tells the story of a soldier who is born to fight, and it celebrates the virtues of patriotism, heroism, and sacrifice. The poem is beautifully written, with powerful imagery and evocative language. It is a timeless work of literature that continues to inspire and motivate readers to this day.
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