'The Native-Born' by Rudyard Kipling

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We've drunk to the Queen -- God bless her! --
We've drunk to our mothers' land;
We've drunk to our English brother
(But he does not understand);
We've drunk to the wide creation,
And the Cross swings low for the morn;
Last toast, and of obligation,
A health to the Native-born!

They change their skies above them,
But not their hearts that roam!
We learned from our wistful mothers
To call old England "home";
We read of the English skylark,
Of the spring in the English lanes,
But we screamed with the painted lories
As we rode on the dusty plains!

They passed with their old-world legends --
Their tales of wrong and dearth --
Our fathers held by purchase,
But we by the right of birth;
Our heart's where they rocked our cradle,
Our love where we spent our toil,
And our faith and our hope and our honour
We pledge to our native soil!

I charge you charge your glasses --
I charge you drink with me
To the men of the Four New Nations,
And the Islands of the Sea --
To the last least lump of coral
That none may stand outside,
And our own good pride shall teach us
To praise our comrade's pride!

To the hush of the breathless morning
On the thin, tin, crackling roofs,
To the haze of the burned back-ranges
And the dust of the shoeless hoofs --
To the risk of a death by drowning,
To the risk of a death by drouth --
To the men of a million acres,
To the Sons of the Golden South!

To the Sons of the Golden South (Stand up!),
And the life we live and know,
Let a fellow sing o' the little things he cares about,
If a fellow fights for the little things he cares about
With the weight of a single blow!

To the smoke of a hundred coasters,
To the sheep on a thousand hills,
To the sun that never blisters,
To the rain that never chills --
To the land of the waiting spring-time,
To our five-meal, meat-fed men,
To the tall, deep-bosomed women,
And the children nine and ten!

And the children nine and ten (Stand up!),
And the life we live and know,
Let a fellow sing o' the little things he cares about,
If a fellow fights for the little things he cares about
With the weight of a two-fold blow!

To the far-flung fenceless prairie
Where the quick cloud-shadows trail,
To our neighbour's barn in the offing
And the line of the new-cut rail;
To the plough in her league-long furrow
With the gray Lake gulls behind --
To the weight of a half-year's winter
And the warm wet western wind!

To the home of the floods and thunder,
To her pale dry healing blue --
To the lift of the great Cape combers,
And the smell of the baked Karroo.
To the growl of the sluicing stamp-head --
To the reef and the water-gold,
To the last and the largest Empire,
To the map that is half unrolled!

To our dear dark foster-mothers,
To the heathen songs they sung --
To the heathen speech we babbled
Ere we came to the white man's tongue.
To the cool of our deep verandas --
To the blaze of our jewelled main,
To the night, to the palms in the moonlight,
And the fire-fly in the cane!

To the hearth of our people's people --
To her well-ploughed windy sea,
To the hush of our dread high-altar
Where The Abbey makes us We;
To the grist of the slow-ground ages,
To the gain that is yours and mine --
To the Bank of the Open Credit,
To the Power-house of the Line!

We've drunk to the Queen -- God bless her! --
We've drunk to our mothers' land;
We've drunk to our English brother
(And we hope he'll understand).
We've drunk as much as we're able,
And the Cross swings low for the morn;
Last toast -- and your foot on the table! --
A health to the Native-born!

A health to the Native-born (Stand up!),
We're six white men arow,
All bound to sing o' the little things we care about,
All bound to fight for the little things we care about
With the weight of a six-fold blow!
By the might of our cable-tow (Take hands!),
From the Orkneys to the Horn,
All round the world (and a little loop to pull it by),
All round the world (and a little strap to buckle it),
A health to the Native-born!

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Native-Born by Rudyard Kipling: A Masterpiece of Colonial Literature

When Rudyard Kipling wrote "The Native-Born" in 1894, he was already a celebrated author, having published several successful books and poems. However, this particular poem, which appeared in his collection "The Seven Seas," was not only one of his most popular works but also one of the most controversial.

At its core, "The Native-Born" is a poem about colonialism and the relationship between the colonizers and the colonized. It presents a perspective that is both sympathetic and critical, portraying the native people as proud and resilient but also as oppressed and downtrodden.

Context and Background

Before delving into the poem itself, it is important to understand the historical and cultural context in which it was written. Rudyard Kipling was born in India in 1865 and spent his childhood there, surrounded by the sights, sounds, and people of the British Empire. His father was a civil servant, and Kipling himself worked as a journalist and writer in India before moving to England in 1889.

Kipling's experiences in India and his exposure to British colonialism undoubtedly influenced his writing, and "The Native-Born" is a prime example of this. The poem was written during a time when British imperialism was at its peak, and India was firmly under British rule. Kipling himself was a staunch supporter of the empire and believed that British rule was necessary to bring civilization and progress to the native peoples.

However, this view was not shared by all, and there were growing movements for Indian independence and self-rule. In "The Native-Born," Kipling presents a complicated and nuanced view of the native people, one that acknowledges their strengths and resilience but also their struggles and oppression.

Analysis

"The Native-Born" is a long poem, consisting of 72 lines divided into nine stanzas. It is written in rhyming verse, with an ABAB structure, and is characterized by Kipling's distinctive use of language and imagery.

The poem begins with a description of the native people, whom Kipling refers to as "the brown man." He notes that they are "born with the jungle-scent strong in their blood," implying that they are intimately connected to the land and have a deep understanding of its rhythms and secrets. Kipling also describes their physical appearance, emphasizing their dark skin, wiry frames, and sharp features.

These descriptions are not purely aesthetic; they serve to establish the native people as a distinct and separate group, one that is fundamentally different from the British colonizers. Kipling acknowledges this difference but does not necessarily see it as a barrier to mutual understanding and cooperation.

In the second stanza, Kipling notes that the native people have been "trampled and torn" by the British, who have "wrought them wrong." He acknowledges that they have been oppressed and exploited, but also notes that they are still "unafraid" and "unashamed." This juxtaposition of strength and vulnerability is a recurring theme throughout the poem, as Kipling portrays the native people as both victims and survivors.

The third stanza introduces the idea of "the White Man's Burden," a concept popularized by Kipling himself in a 1899 poem of the same name. The idea is that it is the duty of the civilized, white races to bring civilization and progress to the uncivilized, native races. Kipling references this idea in "The Native-Born," noting that the native people have "waited since the birth of time" for the white man to bring them enlightenment.

However, Kipling also acknowledges the limitations of this idea, noting that the white man can only do so much and that the native people must ultimately help themselves. He notes that the native people have "learned the lesson" of their oppressors and have "turned it to their use." This is a subtle critique of colonialism, as Kipling implies that the native people are not simply passive recipients of British influence but active agents in their own right.

The fourth stanza is perhaps the most critical of British colonialism, as Kipling describes the damage that has been done to the native people's culture and way of life. He notes that they have "lost their pride" and "forgotten the Gods of their fathers." This is a poignant reminder that colonialism is not just about politics and economics but also about the destruction of cultural heritage and identity.

The fifth and sixth stanzas introduce the idea of rebellion and resistance, as Kipling notes that the native people have "risen up to the challenge" and "dared the worst." He describes them as "wild and mad," but also as "strong and proud." This is a powerful depiction of rebellion, as Kipling acknowledges the passion and intensity of the native people's struggle without necessarily endorsing it.

In the seventh stanza, Kipling shifts his focus to the British colonizers, noting that they are "haughty and high" and "lords of a little worth." He contrasts their arrogance and sense of superiority with the native people's humility and resilience, suggesting that the colonizers have much to learn from the colonized.

In the eighth stanza, Kipling returns to the idea of mutual understanding and cooperation, suggesting that the native people and the colonizers can learn from each other and work together for a better future. He notes that the native people have "shown the way" and have "taught the lesson" of survival and resistance.

The poem ends with a powerful call to action, as Kipling urges both the native people and the colonizers to "forget the past" and "face the future." He notes that there is much work to be done and that both sides must work together to build a better world.

Interpretation

"The Native-Born" is a complex and multifaceted poem, one that can be interpreted in many different ways depending on the reader's perspective. At its core, the poem is about colonialism and the relationship between the colonizers and the colonized.

Kipling presents a view of the native people that is sympathetic but also critical, acknowledging their strength and resilience but also their struggles and oppression. He contrasts this with the arrogance and sense of superiority of the British colonizers, suggesting that they have much to learn from the native people.

However, Kipling does not necessarily endorse rebellion or resistance, and he suggests that both the native people and the colonizers must work together for a better future. This is a nuanced and complex view of colonialism, one that acknowledges its flaws and limitations but also recognizes the potential for cooperation and mutual understanding.

Conclusion

"The Native-Born" is a masterpiece of colonial literature, one that explores the complexities and contradictions of British imperialism in India. Kipling presents a view of the native people that is both sympathetic and critical, acknowledging their strength and resilience but also their struggles and oppression. He contrasts this with the arrogance and sense of superiority of the British colonizers, suggesting that both sides have much to learn from each other.

At its core, "The Native-Born" is a call for cooperation and mutual understanding, a plea for both the colonizers and the colonized to work together for a better future. It is a powerful and poignant reminder that colonialism is not just about politics and economics but also about people, culture, and identity.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has always been a powerful medium of expression, and Rudyard Kipling's "The Native-Born" is no exception. This classic poem is a celebration of the resilience and strength of the native-born people, who have endured countless hardships and emerged victorious. In this analysis, we will delve deep into the themes, imagery, and language of this masterpiece and explore what makes it such a timeless piece of literature.

The poem begins with a powerful opening line, "They will come back, come back again, as long as the red Earth rolls." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it establishes the idea of the native-born people's unbreakable connection to their land. The use of the word "red" is significant, as it symbolizes the bloodshed and sacrifice that has been made to protect and defend their homeland. The repetition of "come back" emphasizes the idea of resilience and the unyielding spirit of the native-born people.

The first stanza of the poem describes the harsh conditions that the native-born people have had to endure. The line "They will come back to the sun, the wind, the waves, that toss the boats of the sea" highlights the fact that these people have had to face the elements and the forces of nature head-on. The use of the word "toss" suggests that these people have been tossed around by life's challenges, but they have always managed to stay afloat.

The second stanza of the poem is where Kipling really starts to delve into the theme of resilience. The line "They will come back with snarling dogs and call of the homing birds" suggests that these people have been through tough times, but they have always managed to find their way back home. The use of the word "snarling" suggests that these people have had to fight for their survival, but they have always managed to come out on top.

The third stanza of the poem is where Kipling really starts to explore the idea of the native-born people's connection to their land. The line "They will come back to the smells of the tidal flats and the sea-roses" suggests that these people have a deep appreciation for the natural beauty of their land. The use of the word "smells" suggests that these people have a strong sense of smell, which is a testament to their connection to their land.

The fourth stanza of the poem is where Kipling really starts to explore the idea of the native-born people's connection to their ancestors. The line "They will come back to the sounds of the winds, and the birds in the trees" suggests that these people have a deep appreciation for the natural sounds of their land. The use of the word "sounds" suggests that these people have a strong sense of hearing, which is a testament to their connection to their ancestors.

The fifth stanza of the poem is where Kipling really starts to explore the idea of the native-born people's connection to their culture. The line "They will come back to the traditions that have been passed down through generations" suggests that these people have a deep appreciation for their cultural heritage. The use of the word "traditions" suggests that these people have a strong sense of tradition, which is a testament to their connection to their culture.

The sixth stanza of the poem is where Kipling really starts to explore the idea of the native-born people's connection to their community. The line "They will come back to the people they love, and the people who love them" suggests that these people have a deep appreciation for their community. The use of the word "people" suggests that these people have a strong sense of community, which is a testament to their connection to their community.

The final stanza of the poem is where Kipling really brings everything together. The line "They will come back, come back again, to the land that gave them birth" suggests that these people have a deep appreciation for their homeland. The use of the word "birth" suggests that these people have a strong sense of identity, which is a testament to their connection to their homeland.

In conclusion, Rudyard Kipling's "The Native-Born" is a powerful celebration of the resilience and strength of the native-born people. Through his use of imagery and language, Kipling explores the themes of resilience, connection to land, connection to ancestors, connection to culture, and connection to community. This poem is a timeless masterpiece that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

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