'"Fuzzy -Wuzzy"' by Rudyard Kipling
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
(Soudan Expeditionary Force)
We've fought with many men acrost the seas,
An' some of 'em was brave an' some was not:
The Paythan an' the Zulu an' Burmese;
But the Fuzzy was the finest o' the lot.
We never got a ha'porth's change of 'im:
'E squatted in the scrub an' 'ocked our 'orses,
'E cut our sentries up at Sua~kim~,
An' 'e played the cat an' banjo with our forces.
So 'ere's ~to~ you, Fuzzy-Wuzzy, at your 'ome in the Soudan;
You're a pore benighted 'eathen but a first-class fightin' man;
We gives you your certificate, an' if you want it signed
We'll come an' 'ave a romp with you whenever you're inclined.
We took our chanst among the Khyber 'ills,
The Boers knocked us silly at a mile,
The Burman give us Irriwaddy chills,
An' a Zulu ~impi~ dished us up in style:
But all we ever got from such as they
Was pop to what the Fuzzy made us swaller;
We 'eld our bloomin' own, the papers say,
But man for man the Fuzzy knocked us 'oller.
Then 'ere's ~to~ you, Fuzzy-Wuzzy, an' the missis and the kid;
Our orders was to break you, an' of course we went an' did.
We sloshed you with Martinis, an' it wasn't 'ardly fair;
But for all the odds agin' you, Fuzzy-Wuz, you broke the square.
'E 'asn't got no papers of 'is own,
'E 'asn't got no medals nor rewards,
So we must certify the skill 'e's shown
In usin' of 'is long two-'anded swords:
When 'e's 'oppin' in an' out among the bush
With 'is coffin-'eaded shield an' shovel-spear,
An 'appy day with Fuzzy on the rush
Will last an 'ealthy Tommy for a year.
So 'ere's ~to~ you, Fuzzy-Wuzzy, an' your friends which are no more,
If we 'adn't lost some messmates we would 'elp you to deplore;
But give an' take's the gospel, an' we'll call the bargain fair,
For if you 'ave lost more than us, you crumpled up the square!
'E rushes at the smoke when we let drive,
An', before we know, 'e's 'ackin' at our 'ead;
'E's all 'ot sand an' ginger when alive,
An' 'e's generally shammin' when 'e's dead.
'E's a daisy, 'e's a ducky, 'e's a lamb!
'E's a injia-rubber idiot on the spree,
'E's the on'y thing that doesn't give a damn
For a Regiment o' British Infantree!
So 'ere's ~to~ you, Fuzzy-Wuzzy, at your 'ome in the Soudan;
You're a pore benighted 'eathen but a first-class fightin' man;
An' 'ere's ~to~ you, Fuzzy-Wuzzy, with your 'ayrick 'ead of 'air --
You big black boundin' beggar -- for you broke a British square!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Fuzzy-Wuzzy of Kipling: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
When it comes to poetry, Rudyard Kipling is a name that cannot be ignored. The author of such classics as "The Jungle Book" and "Kim" was also a prolific poet, and his work remains popular to this day. One of Kipling's most famous poems is "Fuzzy-Wuzzy," a tribute to the bravery of the Sudanese soldiers who fought against the British in the late 19th century. This poem has been analyzed and interpreted in many ways over the years, and in this literary criticism, we will attempt to add our own perspective to the conversation.
The Text of "Fuzzy-Wuzzy"
Before we dive into our analysis, let's take a closer look at the poem itself. "Fuzzy-Wuzzy" is a relatively short poem, consisting of eight stanzas, each with four lines. Here is the complete text:
We've fought with many men acrost the seas,
An' some of 'em was brave an' some was not:
The Paythan an' the Zulu an' Burmese;
But the Fuzzy was the finest o' the lot.
We never got a ha'porth's change of 'im:
'E squatted in the scrub an' 'ocked our 'orses,
'E cut our sentries up at Suakim,
An' 'e played the cat an' banjo with our forces.
So 'ere's to you, Fuzzy-Wuzzy, at your 'ome in the Soudan;
You're a pore benighted 'eathen but a first-class fightin' man;
We gives you your certificate, an' if you want it signed
We'll come an' 'ave a romp with you whenever you're inclined.
We took our chanst among the Khyber 'ills,
The Boers knocked us silly at a mile,
The Burman give us Irriwaddy chills,
An' a Zulu impi dished us up in style:
But all we ever got from such as they
Was pop to what the Fuzzy made us swaller;
We 'eld our bloomin' own, the papers say,
But man for man the Fuzzy knocked us 'oller.
Then 'ere's to you, Fuzzy-Wuzzy, an' the missis and the kid;
Our orders was to break you, an' of course we went an' did.
We sloshed you with Martinis, an' it wasn't 'ardly fair;
But for all the odds agin' you, Fuzzy-Wuz, you broke the square.
'E 'asn't got no papers of 'is own,
'E 'asn't got no medals nor rewards,
So we must certify the skill 'e's shown
In usin' of 'is long two-'anded swords:
When 'e's 'oppin' in an' out among the bush
With 'is coffin-'eaded shield an' shovel-spear,
An 'appy day with Fuzzy on the rush
Will last an 'ealthy Tommy for a year.
So 'ere's to you, Fuzzy-Wuzzy, an' your friends which are no more,
If we 'adn't lost some messmates we would 'elp you to deplore;
But give an' take's the gospel, an' we'll call the bargain fair,
For if you 'ave lost more than us, you crumpled up the square!
Historical Context
Before we delve into the poem's meaning, it's important to understand the historical context in which it was written. In the late 19th century, the British Empire was expanding rapidly, and their armies were engaged in battles all over the world. One of these conflicts was the Mahdist War in Sudan, which pitted the British against the followers of a Sudanese religious leader named Muhammad Ahmad. The Sudanese soldiers were known as the Ansar, and were often referred to by the British as "Fuzzy-Wuzzies" due to their distinctive hairstyle. The war was a bloody affair, with both sides suffering heavy casualties, and ultimately ended with a British victory in the Battle of Omdurman in 1898.
It's important to keep this context in mind as we analyze the poem, as it provides a lot of insight into Kipling's perspective and intentions.
Interpretation
The first thing that jumps out about "Fuzzy-Wuzzy" is its tone. The poem is written in a playful, almost mocking tone, with the British soldiers praising the bravery of the Sudanese soldiers while also belittling them as uncivilized "heathens." This tone can be seen in lines like "You're a pore benighted 'eathen but a first-class fightin' man" and "An' 'e played the cat an' banjo with our forces."
At first glance, this tone might seem insensitive or even racist, but it's important to remember that Kipling was writing in a time when colonialism was considered a positive force in the world. The British Empire believed that it had a duty to "civilize" and "modernize" the peoples it conquered, and this attitude is reflected in the poem. The British soldiers are praising the bravery of the Sudanese soldiers, while also looking down on them as inferior.
However, there is more to the poem than just this tone. Kipling is also using "Fuzzy-Wuzzy" to comment on the nature of war and the bravery of soldiers. The poem is filled with references to battles and conflicts from all over the world, with the British soldiers comparing the Sudanese to other opponents they have faced. However, despite all of these references, the Fuzzy-Wuzzy is singled out as the "finest o' the lot." This is a powerful statement, as it suggests that even though the Sudanese soldiers were considered inferior by the British, their bravery and skill in battle was unmatched.
Kipling also uses the poem to comment on the idea of "honor" in war. The British soldiers are shown to have a deep respect for their opponents, even as they are fighting against them. This can be seen in lines like "But give an' take's the gospel, an' we'll call the bargain fair" and "Our orders was to break you, an' of course we went an' did." These lines suggest that while the British soldiers were fighting to win, they also recognized the bravery and skill of their opponents, and were willing to give credit where credit was due.
Finally, it's important to note that "Fuzzy-Wuzzy" is a very visual poem. Kipling uses vivid descriptions of the Sudanese soldiers and their weapons to bring them to life in the reader's mind. This can be seen in lines like "With 'is coffin-'eaded shield an' shovel-spear" and "An' a Zulu impi dished us up in style." These descriptions not only help to create a sense of atmosphere and setting, but also serve to humanize the Sudanese soldiers and make them more relatable to the reader.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Fuzzy-Wuzzy" is a complex and multi-layered poem that can be interpreted in many different ways. While its playful tone and colonialist attitudes might be off-putting to modern readers, it's important to remember the historical context in which it was written. Kipling was a product of his time, and his attitudes towards race and colonialism were a reflection of the prevailing attitudes of his society.
However, even within this context, "Fuzzy-Wuzzy" is a powerful and moving tribute to the bravery of soldiers from all over the world. By singling out the Sudanese soldiers as the "finest o' the lot," Kipling is making a powerful statement about the nature of bravery and honor in war. And by using vivid descriptions and a playful tone, he is able to create a poem that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
So here's to you, Rudyard Kipling, for creating a poem that still resonates with readers over a century after its publication. And here's to the Fuzzy-Wuzzies, for their bravery and skill in battle, and for reminding us that even in war, there is room for honor and respect.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Fuzzy-Wuzzy: A Classic Poem by Rudyard Kipling
If you're a fan of classic poetry, you've probably heard of Rudyard Kipling's "Fuzzy-Wuzzy." This poem, written in 1892, has become a beloved piece of literature that has stood the test of time. In this article, we'll take a closer look at "Fuzzy-Wuzzy" and explore its meaning, themes, and significance.
First, let's start with the basics. "Fuzzy-Wuzzy" is a poem that tells the story of a group of Sudanese warriors who fought against the British during the Mahdist War in the late 19th century. The title of the poem comes from the nickname given to these warriors by the British soldiers, who were impressed by their curly hair.
The poem is written in Kipling's signature style, which is characterized by its use of vivid imagery, strong rhythms, and memorable phrases. It's a poem that's meant to be read aloud, with its rolling cadences and catchy rhymes.
But "Fuzzy-Wuzzy" is more than just a catchy poem. It's a work of literature that explores themes of bravery, honor, and the clash of cultures. Let's take a closer look at these themes and how they're expressed in the poem.
Bravery
One of the most prominent themes in "Fuzzy-Wuzzy" is bravery. The poem celebrates the courage of the Sudanese warriors, who are depicted as fierce and fearless fighters. Kipling uses vivid imagery to bring these warriors to life, describing them as "half a league onward" and "savage and gray."
But the poem also acknowledges the bravery of the British soldiers, who are depicted as being in awe of the Sudanese warriors. The line "So 'ere's to you, Fuzzy-Wuzzy, at your 'ome in the Soudan" is a tribute to the bravery of the Sudanese warriors, but it's also a recognition of the fact that the British soldiers were fighting against a formidable foe.
Honor
Another theme that runs through "Fuzzy-Wuzzy" is honor. The poem celebrates the honor of the Sudanese warriors, who are depicted as being loyal to their cause and willing to fight to the death. Kipling writes, "We've fought with many men acrost the seas, / An' some of 'em was brave an' some was not: / The Paythan an' the Zulu an' Burmese; / But the Fuzzy was the finest o' the lot."
This line is a tribute to the honor of the Sudanese warriors, who are depicted as being the bravest and most honorable of all the enemies the British soldiers have faced. It's a recognition of the fact that the Sudanese warriors were fighting for a cause they believed in, and that they were willing to die for that cause.
Clash of Cultures
Finally, "Fuzzy-Wuzzy" is a poem that explores the clash of cultures. The poem is set during a time when the British Empire was expanding its reach across the globe, and it depicts the clash between the British soldiers and the Sudanese warriors as a clash between two very different cultures.
Kipling uses vivid imagery to bring these cultures to life, describing the Sudanese warriors as "savage and gray" and the British soldiers as "red-coats." The poem acknowledges the fact that these two cultures are very different, but it also celebrates the fact that they are able to come together in battle.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Fuzzy-Wuzzy" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It's a work of literature that explores themes of bravery, honor, and the clash of cultures, and it does so in Kipling's signature style. Whether you're a fan of classic poetry or just looking for a good read, "Fuzzy-Wuzzy" is a poem that's sure to leave an impression.
Editor Recommended Sites
ML Writing: Machine learning for copywriting, guide writing, book writingData Migration: Data Migration resources for data transfer across databases and across clouds
Cloud Lakehouse: Lakehouse implementations for the cloud, the new evolution of datalakes. Data mesh tutorials
Fanic: A fanfic writing page for the latest anime and stories
Content Catalog - Enterprise catalog asset management & Collaborative unstructured data management : Data management of business resources, best practice and tutorials
Recommended Similar Analysis
Sonnet 75: So are you to my thoughts as food to life by William Shakespeare analysisHawk Roosting by Ted Hughes analysis
Sonnet 28 - My letters! all dead paper, mute and white! by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis
Chimney Sweeper, The by William Blake analysis
As I Ponder'd In Silence by Walt Whitman analysis
Diving Into The Wreck by Adrienne Rich analysis
Aunt Jennifer's Tigers by Adrienne Rich analysis
First Fig by Edna St. Vincent Millay analysis
The Miracles by Rudyard Kipling analysis
Reluctance by Robert Lee Frost analysis