'"Soldier An' Sailor Too"' by Rudyard Kipling
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As I was spittin' into the Ditch aboard o' the ~Crocodile~,
I seed a man on a man-o'-war got up in the Reg'lars' style.
'E was scrapin' the paint from off of 'er plates,
an' I sez to 'im, "'Oo are you?"
Sez 'e, "I'm a Jolly -- 'Er Majesty's Jolly -- soldier an' sailor too!"
Now 'is work begins by Gawd knows when, and 'is work is never through;
'E isn't one o' the reg'lar Line, nor 'e isn't one of the crew.
'E's a kind of a giddy harumfrodite -- soldier an' sailor too!
An' after I met 'im all over the world, a-doin' all kinds of things,
Like landin' 'isself with a Gatlin' gun to talk to them 'eathen kings;
'E sleeps in an 'ammick instead of a cot,
an' 'e drills with the deck on a slew,
An' 'e sweats like a Jolly -- 'Er Majesty's Jolly -- soldier an' sailor too!
For there isn't a job on the top o' the earth the beggar don't know, nor do --
You can leave 'im at night on a bald man's 'ead, to paddle 'is own canoe --
'E's a sort of a bloomin' cosmopolouse -- soldier an' sailor too.
We've fought 'em in trooper, we've fought 'em in dock,
and drunk with 'em in betweens,
When they called us the seasick scull'ry-maids,
an' we called 'em the Ass Marines;
But, when we was down for a double fatigue, from Woolwich to Bernardmyo,
We sent for the Jollies -- 'Er Majesty's Jollies -- soldier an' sailor too!
They think for 'emselves, an' they steal for 'emselves,
and they never ask what's to do,
But they're camped an' fed an' they're up an' fed before our bugle's blew.
Ho! they ain't no limpin' procrastitutes -- soldier an' sailor too.
You may say we are fond of an 'arness-cut, or 'ootin' in barrick-yards,
Or startin' a Board School mutiny along o' the Onion Guards;
But once in a while we can finish in style for the ends of the earth to view,
The same as the Jollies -- 'Er Majesty's Jollies -- soldier an' sailor too!
They come of our lot, they was brothers to us;
they was beggars we'd met an' knew;
Yes, barrin' an inch in the chest an' the arm, they was doubles o' me an' you;
For they weren't no special chrysanthemums -- soldier an' sailor too!
To take your chance in the thick of a rush, with firing all about,
Is nothing so bad when you've cover to 'and, an' leave an' likin' to shout;
But to stand an' be still to the ~Birken'ead~ drill
is a damn tough bullet to chew,
An' they done it, the Jollies -- 'Er Majesty's Jollies --
soldier an' sailor too!
Their work was done when it 'adn't begun; they was younger nor me an' you;
Their choice it was plain between drownin' in 'eaps
an' bein' mopped by the screw,
So they stood an' was still to the ~Birken'ead~ drill, soldier an' sailor too!
We're most of us liars, we're 'arf of us thieves,
an' the rest are as rank as can be,
But once in a while we can finish in style
(which I 'ope it won't 'appen to me).
But it makes you think better o' you an' your friends,
an' the work you may 'ave to do,
When you think o' the sinkin' ~Victorier~'s Jollies -- soldier an' sailor too!
Now there isn't no room for to say ye don't know --
they 'ave proved it plain and true --
That whether it's Widow, or whether it's ship, Victorier's work is to do,
An' they done it, the Jollies -- 'Er Majesty's Jollies --
soldier an' sailor too!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Analyzing Rudyard Kipling’s “Soldier An’ Sailor Too”
Rudyard Kipling was an English poet, short-story writer, and novelist who was known for his works that explored the complexities of imperialist politics and the human experience. One of his well-known poems is “Soldier An’ Sailor Too” which was first published in 1894 in his collection of Barrack-Room Ballads.
The poem tells the story of a soldier and a sailor who are both serving their country, and the narrator highlights their bravery and loyalty to duty. At first glance, the poem appears to be a tribute to the courage of those serving in the military. However, upon closer inspection, the poem reveals deeper meanings and themes that Kipling intended to convey. In this literary analysis, we will explore the themes and literary devices Kipling employs in “Soldier An’ Sailor Too.”
Themes
The primary theme of the poem is patriotism and the duty of those serving in the military. Kipling portrays the soldiers and sailors as heroes who risk their lives to defend their country. He emphasizes their bravery and selflessness, depicting them as willing to face danger and sacrifice their lives for their fellow countrymen. The poem highlights the importance of service to one's country, and the need to honor and respect those who serve in the military.
Another theme of the poem is the sense of camaraderie and brotherhood among those serving in the military. Kipling portrays the soldiers and sailors as a close-knit group who share a bond of mutual respect and support. He emphasizes the importance of this bond, suggesting that it is essential to maintain morale and a sense of unity among those serving in the military.
Additionally, the poem explores the toll that military service can take on those who serve. Kipling presents his heroes as strong and courageous, but also suggests that they face significant challenges and difficulties. He acknowledges the toll that war and military service can take on the body and mind, emphasizing the importance of caring for those who serve and supporting them in their struggles.
Literary Devices
Kipling uses several literary devices to convey his themes and create a vivid and compelling poem. One of the most notable devices used in the poem is repetition. The phrase “Soldier an’ sailor too” is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the dual role played by those serving in the military. This repetition also creates a sense of unity and solidarity among those serving, highlighting the shared experiences and challenges faced by soldiers and sailors alike.
Kipling also uses imagery throughout the poem, painting a vivid picture of the experiences of those serving in the military. He describes the soldiers and sailors as “bronzed and hardy,” suggesting their strength and resilience. He also depicts the challenges they face, describing the “roaring winds” and “raging seas” they must navigate. This imagery creates a sense of realism, bringing the experiences of those serving in the military to life for the reader.
In addition, Kipling employs alliteration and onomatopoeia to create a sense of rhythm and energy in the poem. For example, in the line “Took it, and tackled the same,” the repetition of the “t” sound creates a sense of movement and action, emphasizing the bravery and determination of the soldiers and sailors.
Interpretation
While “Soldier An’ Sailor Too” appears to be a straightforward tribute to the courage and dedication of those serving in the military, the poem contains deeper meanings and themes that reflect Kipling’s worldview. Kipling was a fervent imperialist who believed in the importance of British dominance in the world, and his views are reflected in the poem.
One of the key themes of the poem is the idea of duty and sacrifice. Kipling portrays the soldiers and sailors as heroes who are willing to risk their lives to defend their country. However, this sacrifice is not simply for the sake of their fellow countrymen, but also for the glory and honor of the British Empire. Kipling’s use of repetition emphasizes the dual role played by those serving in the military, but also suggests that their duty is to both their country and the empire.
Another theme of the poem is the importance of maintaining order and discipline. Kipling emphasizes the need for soldiers and sailors to follow orders and adhere to the chain of command. This emphasis on discipline and order reflects Kipling’s belief in the superiority of the British Empire and the need to maintain colonial control.
Finally, the poem suggests a sense of superiority and elitism on the part of the soldiers and sailors. Kipling portrays them as “bronzed and hardy,” suggesting their strength and resilience, and implies that they are superior to those who do not serve in the military. This attitude reflects Kipling’s belief in the importance of social hierarchy and the idea that those who serve in the military are inherently better than those who do not.
Conclusion
“Soldier An’ Sailor Too” is a poem that explores the themes of duty, patriotism, and sacrifice. Kipling’s use of repetition, imagery, and literary devices creates a vivid and compelling portrait of the experiences of those serving in the military. However, the poem also reflects Kipling’s worldview and his belief in the importance of British dominance and social hierarchy. Despite this, the poem remains a compelling tribute to the bravery and dedication of those who serve in the military, and a reminder of the sacrifices they make to protect their country and its people.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Rudyard Kipling's "Soldier An' Sailor Too" is a classic poem that captures the essence of the British Empire's military might and the bravery of its soldiers and sailors. The poem was first published in 1896 as part of Kipling's collection of Barrack-Room Ballads, which were inspired by his experiences as a journalist in India and his interactions with British soldiers stationed there.
The poem is written in a colloquial style, with a strong emphasis on rhythm and rhyme. It tells the story of a soldier and a sailor who meet in a pub and exchange stories of their adventures. The soldier boasts of his exploits on the battlefield, while the sailor regales him with tales of his adventures at sea. The poem ends with a rousing chorus that celebrates the bravery and courage of all British soldiers and sailors.
The poem begins with the soldier boasting of his exploits on the battlefield. He tells the sailor that he has fought in many wars and has seen many battles. He describes the horrors of war, including the sound of bullets whizzing past his head and the sight of his comrades falling around him. Despite these hardships, the soldier remains proud of his service to the British Empire.
The sailor, in turn, tells the soldier of his adventures at sea. He describes the thrill of sailing on the open ocean and the danger of facing storms and rough seas. He also talks about the camaraderie among sailors and the sense of brotherhood that comes from serving in the Royal Navy.
As the poem progresses, the soldier and sailor begin to compare their experiences. They both acknowledge the hardships and dangers of their respective professions, but they also recognize the pride and honor that comes from serving their country. The soldier tells the sailor that he would rather die on the battlefield than live a life of ease and comfort, while the sailor declares that he would rather face the dangers of the sea than live a life of cowardice and fear.
The poem ends with a rousing chorus that celebrates the bravery and courage of all British soldiers and sailors. The chorus repeats the phrase "For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' 'Chuck him out, the brute!'/ But it's 'Saviour of 'is country' when the guns begin to shoot" – a reference to the way that soldiers are often treated with disrespect and disdain by civilians, but are hailed as heroes when they are called upon to defend their country.
Overall, "Soldier An' Sailor Too" is a powerful tribute to the bravery and courage of British soldiers and sailors. It captures the spirit of the British Empire at its height, when the country's military might was unrivaled and its soldiers and sailors were revered as heroes. The poem's colloquial style and strong emphasis on rhythm and rhyme make it a memorable and engaging work of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
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