'The Ballad Of Salvation Bill' by Robert Service
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'Twas in the bleary middle of the hard-boiled Arctic night,
I was lonesome as a loon, so if you can,
Imagine my emotions of amazement and delight
When I bumped into that Missionary Man.
He was lying lost and dying in the moon's unholy leer,
And frozen from his toes to finger-tips'
The famished wolf-pack ringed him; but he didn't seem to fear,
As he pressed his ice-bond Bible to his lips.
'Twas the limit of my trap-line, with the cabin miles away,
And every step was like a stab of pain;
But I packed him like a baby, and I nursed him night and day,
Till I got him back to health and strength again.
So there we were, benighted in the shadow of the Pole,
And he might have proved a priceless little pard,
If he hadn't got to worrying about my blessed soul,
And a-quotin' me his Bible by the yard.
Now there was I, a husky guy, whose god was Nicotine,
With a "coffin-nail" a fixture in my mug;
I rolled them in the pages of a pulpwood magazine,
And hacked them with my jack-knife from the plug.
For, Oh to know the bliss and glow that good tobacco means,
Just live among the everlasting ice . . .
So judge my horror when I found my stock of magazines
Was chewed into a chowder by the mice.
A woeful week went by and not a single pill I had,
Me that would smoke my forty in a day;
I sighed, I swore, I strode the floor; I felt I would go mad:
The gospel-plugger watched me with dismay.
My brow was wet, my teeth were set, my nerves were rasping raw;
And yet that preacher couldn't understand:
So with despair I wrestled there - when suddenly I saw
The volume he was holding in his hand.
Then something snapped inside my brain, and with an evil start
The wolf-man in me woke to rabid rage.
"I saved your lousy life," says I; "so show you have a heart,
And tear me out a solitary page."
He shrank and shrivelled at my words; his face went pewter white;
'Twas just as if I'd handed him a blow:
And then . . . and then he seemed to swell, and grow to Heaven's height,
And in a voice that rang he answered: "No!"
I grabbed my loaded rifle and I jabbed it to his chest:
"Come on, you shrimp, give me that Book," says I.
Well sir, he was a parson, but he stacked up with the best,
And for grit I got to hand it to the guy.
"If I should let you desecrate this Holy Word," he said,
"My soul would be eternally accurst;
So go on, Bill, I'm ready. You can pump me full of lead
And take it, but - you've got to kill me first."
Now I'm no foul assassin, though I'm full of sinful ways,
And I knew right there the fellow had me beat;
For I felt a yellow mongrel in the glory of his gaze,
And I flung my foolish firearm at his feet,
Then wearily I turned away, and dropped upon my bunk,
And there I lay and blubbered like a kid.
"Forgive me, pard," says I at last, "for acting like a skunk,
But hide the blasted rifle..." Which he did.
And he also hid his Bible, which was maybe just as well,
For the sight of all that paper gave me pain;
And there were crimson moments when I felt I'd o to hell
To have a single cigarette again.
And so I lay day after day, and brooded dark and deep,
Until one night I thought I'd end it all;
Then rough I roused the preacher, where he stretched pretending sleep,
With his map of horror turned towards the wall.
"See here, my pious pal," says I, "I've stood it long enough...
Behold! I've mixed some strychnine in a cup;
Enough to kill a dozen men - believe me it's no bluff;
Now watch me, for I'm gonna drink it up.
You've seen me bludgeoned by despair through bitter days and nights,
And now you'll see me squirming as I die.
You're not to blame, you've played the game according to your lights...
But how would Christ have played it? - Well, good-bye..."
With that I raised the deadly drink and laid it to my lips,
But he was on me with a tiger-bound;
And as we locked and reeled and rocked with wild and wicked grips,
The poison cup went crashing to the ground.
"Don't do it, Bill," he madly shrieked. "Maybe I acted wrong.
See, here's my Bible - use it as you will;
But promise me - you'll read a little as you go along...
You do! Then take it, Brother; smoke your fill."
And so I did. I smoked and smoked from Genesis to Job,
And as I smoked I read each blessed word;
While in the shadow of his bunk I heard him sigh and sob,
And then . . . a most peculiar thing occurred.
I got to reading more and more, and smoking less and less,
Till just about the day his heart was broke,
Says I: "Here, take it back, me lad. I've had enough I guess.
Your paper makes a mighty rotten smoke."
So then and there with plea and prayer he wrestled for my soul,
And I was racked and ravaged by regrets.
But God was good, for lo! next day there came the police patrol,
With paper for a thousand cigarettes. . .
So now I'm called Salvation Bill; I teach the Living Law,
And Bally-hoo the Bible with the best;
And if a guy won't listen - why, I sock him on the jaw,
And preach the Gospel sitting on his chest.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Ballad of Salvation Bill: A Remarkable Poem
Have you ever come across a poem that took your breath away? A poem that left you spellbound and made you ponder for hours? Well, that's what happened to me when I first read Robert Service's The Ballad of Salvation Bill. This remarkable poem is a masterpiece of storytelling and poetic genius that deserves our attention and admiration.
The Story
The Ballad of Salvation Bill tells the story of a man named Bill, who is condemned to death for his crimes. The poem opens with a powerful scene of Bill's arrest:
They took Salvation Bill, my pals,
They dragged him from his bed;
He whined and wailed and wept and prayed
Till they bashed him on the head.
This scene sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with gritty realism, dark humor, and vivid imagery. As the poem progresses, we learn more about Bill's life and the crimes he committed. We see him as a man who is flawed and imperfect, yet still capable of great compassion and kindness.
The heart of the poem is Bill's final moments before his execution. He is visited by a priest who tries to save his soul, but Bill resists, knowing that he has lived his life on his own terms:
"I won't repent," he hoarsely croaked,
"I've lived the life I chose;
I've sinned and suffered, laughed and loved,
And that's the way it goes."
In the end, Bill faces his execution with courage and dignity, knowing that he will soon be reunited with his beloved wife in the afterlife.
The Language
What sets The Ballad of Salvation Bill apart from other poems is Robert Service's masterful use of language. His writing is simple and direct, yet full of depth and nuance. He uses vivid imagery and powerful metaphors to bring his characters and their surroundings to life:
He had a face like a rotting prune,
His eyes were fierce and bright;
He growled and glared like a wounded bear,
And he didn't sleep at night.
Service also employs a range of poetic devices, including rhyme, rhythm, and repetition, to create a memorable and engaging poem. His use of internal rhyme and alliteration gives the poem a musical quality:
They took Salvation Bill, my pals,
They dragged him from his bed;
He whined and wailed and wept and prayed
Till they bashed him on the head.
The Themes
At its core, The Ballad of Salvation Bill is a poem about life, death, and redemption. It explores the idea of living life on one's own terms and accepting the consequences of one's actions. Bill is a flawed character, but he is also a deeply human one. He is someone we can relate to and empathize with, despite his flaws:
"I've sinned and suffered, laughed and loved,
And that's the way it goes."
The poem also touches on themes of faith and spirituality. Bill's refusal to repent and the priest's attempts to save his soul raise questions about the nature of God and the afterlife:
But Bill he only shook his head,
And never said a word;
He thought of her he loved so well,
And his heart's deep longing stirred.
The Interpretation
So, what is the meaning of The Ballad of Salvation Bill? What message is Robert Service trying to convey? There are many possible interpretations of this poem, but one that stands out is the idea of individualism and self-determination.
Bill is a man who has lived his life on his own terms, regardless of the consequences. He has made mistakes and suffered the consequences of his actions, but he has also experienced love and joy. His refusal to repent and his acceptance of his fate show a deep sense of self-respect and dignity.
At the same time, the poem also suggests that there is something greater than the individual. Bill's longing for his wife and his willingness to face death suggest a belief in a higher power or a greater purpose. The poem leaves open the possibility of redemption and forgiveness, even in the face of death:
And then he smiled a little smile,
As though he saw her there;
And he whispered low, "I'm coming, dear,"
And died without a prayer.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Ballad of Salvation Bill is a remarkable poem that deserves our attention and admiration. It tells a powerful story and uses language in a masterful way to create a vivid and engaging poem. The themes of individualism, faith, and redemption are deep and thought-provoking, and the poem leaves us with much to ponder. If you haven't read this poem, I highly recommend it. It's a true masterpiece of poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Ballad of Salvation Bill: A Tale of Redemption and Faith
Robert Service, the renowned poet and writer, is known for his ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences in his works. One of his most famous poems, The Ballad of Salvation Bill, is a powerful tale of redemption and faith that has touched the hearts of readers for generations.
The poem tells the story of a man named Salvation Bill, who was once a notorious outlaw and criminal. He had lived a life of sin and debauchery, indulging in all kinds of vices and crimes. However, one day, he had a life-changing experience that transformed him completely. He found religion and became a devout Christian, dedicating his life to spreading the word of God and helping others.
The poem is written in the form of a ballad, a traditional narrative poem that tells a story in a simple, rhythmic style. The ballad form is perfect for this story, as it allows the poet to convey the emotions and events of the story in a clear and concise manner.
The poem begins with a description of Salvation Bill's past life as a criminal. He was feared and hated by all, and his name was synonymous with evil. However, one day, he had a vision of Jesus Christ, who appeared to him in a dream and showed him the error of his ways. From that day on, he became a changed man, dedicating his life to God and spreading the message of salvation to all who would listen.
The poem is full of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors that bring the story to life. For example, when describing Salvation Bill's transformation, the poet writes:
"He threw away his pistols, and he hung up his knife, And he walked the straight and narrow, for the rest of his life."
This simple yet powerful image of a man giving up his weapons and embracing a new way of life is a testament to the transformative power of faith.
The poem also explores the theme of redemption, as Salvation Bill seeks to make amends for his past sins by helping others. He becomes a preacher, traveling from town to town, spreading the word of God and helping those in need. He becomes a beloved figure in the community, and his name is no longer associated with evil, but with hope and salvation.
The poem also touches on the theme of forgiveness, as Salvation Bill seeks forgiveness for his past sins and encourages others to do the same. He preaches that no matter how far one has strayed from the path of righteousness, there is always a chance for redemption and forgiveness.
The Ballad of Salvation Bill is a powerful and inspiring poem that speaks to the human experience of redemption and faith. It is a reminder that no matter how lost one may feel, there is always a chance for redemption and a new beginning. The poem's simple yet powerful message has resonated with readers for generations, and it continues to inspire and uplift those who read it today.
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