'The Record' by Robert Service
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Rhymes of a RoughneckFearing that she might go one day
With some fine fellow of her choice,
I called her from her childish play,
And made a record of her voice.
And now that she is truly gone,
I hear it sweet and crystal clear
From out my wheezy gramophone:"I love you, Daddy dear."Indeed it's true she went away,
But Oh she went all, all alone;
Into the dark she went for aye,
Poor little mite! ere girlhood grown.
Ah that I could with her have gone!
But this is all I have to show -
A ghost voice on a gramophone:"Dear Dad, I love you so."The saddest part of loss 'tis said,
Is that time tempers our regret;
But that is treason to the dead -
I'll not forget, I'll not forget.
Sole souvenir of golden years,
'Twas best to break this disc in two,
And spare myself a spate of tears . . .But this I cannot do.So I will play it every day,
And it will seem that she is near,
And once again I'll hear her say:
I love you so, Oh Daddy dear."
And then her kiss - a stab of woe.
The record ends . . . I breathe a plea:
"Oh God, speed me to where I knowWee lass, you wait for me."
Editor 1 Interpretation
“The Record” by Robert Service: An Exploration of Life and Death
Introduction
The poetry of Robert Service is famous for its evocative imagery and passionate themes. “The Record” is no exception. Published in 1907, this poem speaks to the very essence of life and death. It is a poignant exploration of how we live our lives and how we will be remembered after we are gone. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the meaning of “The Record” and examine some of the key themes that Service explores.
The Poem
The poem tells the story of a man who is nearing the end of his life. He reflects on the things he has done, the people he has loved, and the legacy he will leave behind. The opening lines of the poem set the tone:
Into my heart an air that kills
From yon far country blows:
What are those blue remembered hills,
What spires, what farms are those?
These lines convey a sense of nostalgia and longing. The speaker is looking back on his life and reminiscing about the things that have brought him joy. He is also aware of his own mortality and the fact that death is fast approaching.
Throughout the poem, the speaker reflects on the things that have given his life meaning. He speaks of his love for his wife and his children, and how they have enriched his life. He also speaks of the things he has accomplished, the battles he has fought, and the friends he has made. But despite all of these things, the speaker is aware that his life will soon come to an end.
The final lines of the poem capture this sense of finality:
And should you ask me of my place-
Lo! I would answer with a smile,
Contentedly, and without grace,
"A bed to rest a little while."
These lines are both sad and beautiful. The speaker is resigned to his fate, but he is also at peace with it. He knows that his time on earth is coming to an end, but he is content with the life he has lived and the legacy he will leave behind.
Themes
One of the key themes that Service explores in “The Record” is the idea of mortality. The poem is a meditation on the fact that we are all going to die, and that our time on earth is limited. The speaker is acutely aware of his own mortality, and he reflects on what it means to have lived a life that is worth remembering.
Another theme that Service explores in the poem is the idea of legacy. The speaker is concerned with what he will leave behind after he is gone. He wants to be remembered for the things he has accomplished and the people he has loved. This theme is particularly powerful in the final lines of the poem, where the speaker reflects on his own mortality and the legacy he will leave behind.
Finally, the poem is a meditation on the meaning of life. The speaker reflects on the things that have given his life meaning, and he is grateful for the time he has had on earth. He is content with the life he has lived, and he knows that he has made a positive impact on the world around him.
Literary Devices
Service employs a number of literary devices in “The Record” to convey his themes and create a powerful emotional impact. One of the most striking devices he uses is imagery. The poem is filled with vivid descriptions of nature and the world around us. These descriptions help to create a sense of nostalgia and longing, and they convey the beauty and fragility of life.
Another device that Service uses effectively is repetition. Throughout the poem, he repeats certain phrases and words, such as “blue remembered hills” and “a bed to rest a little while.” These repetitions create a sense of rhythm and musicality, and they also reinforce the central themes of the poem.
Finally, Service uses symbolism to great effect. The speaker’s bed, for example, represents his final resting place. This symbol is used to convey a sense of finality and acceptance. Similarly, the blue remembered hills represent the speaker’s memories of his past, and they reinforce the theme of nostalgia and longing that runs throughout the poem.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “The Record” is a powerful and moving poem that explores some of the most fundamental questions of human existence. Through vivid imagery, repetition, and symbolism, Robert Service creates a meditation on mortality, legacy, and the meaning of life. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of our human experience, and it is sure to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has always been a medium of expression for the human soul. It is a form of art that has the power to move us, to inspire us, and to touch our hearts. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "The Record" by Robert Service. This classic piece of poetry is a masterpiece that captures the essence of human emotions and the power of memories.
"The Record" is a poem that tells the story of a man who is reminiscing about his past. He is looking through an old record book that contains the names of all the people he has loved and lost. As he reads through the names, he is transported back in time to the moments he shared with each of them. The poem is a beautiful tribute to the power of memories and the importance of cherishing them.
The poem begins with the speaker looking through the old record book. He describes the book as "a little worn and frayed." This description sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It tells us that the book is old and has been used many times. It also suggests that the speaker has a deep emotional attachment to the book.
As the speaker reads through the names in the book, he is transported back in time. He remembers the people he has loved and lost, and the memories he shared with them. The poem is filled with vivid descriptions of these memories. For example, the speaker remembers a girl he loved who had "eyes as bright as stars." He also remembers a man he admired who had "a heart as big as a mountain."
The poem is filled with powerful imagery that helps to bring the memories to life. For example, the speaker describes the girl he loved as having "lips as red as poppies." This image is not only beautiful, but it also suggests that the girl was full of life and energy. Similarly, the image of the man with a heart as big as a mountain suggests that he was strong and dependable.
One of the most powerful aspects of the poem is the way it captures the bittersweet nature of memories. The speaker is clearly filled with nostalgia as he reads through the names in the book. He remembers the good times he shared with each person, but he also remembers the pain of losing them. This is captured beautifully in the lines:
"And oh, the pain of it, to wake And find the loved one gone, To know that life must still go on And yet – to feel alone."
These lines capture the universal experience of loss. They remind us that even though we may have happy memories of the people we have lost, the pain of their absence is always with us.
Another powerful aspect of the poem is the way it celebrates the power of memories. The speaker clearly cherishes the memories he has of the people in the book. He recognizes that these memories are a part of who he is and that they have shaped him in some way. This is captured beautifully in the lines:
"But though the pages of the past Are dim with tears and sighs, Yet precious are they to my heart, For they are memories."
These lines remind us that memories are not just a collection of events from the past. They are a part of who we are, and they help to shape our identity.
In conclusion, "The Record" by Robert Service is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of human emotions and the power of memories. The poem is a beautiful tribute to the people we have loved and lost, and it reminds us of the importance of cherishing our memories. The vivid imagery and powerful language used in the poem help to bring the memories to life and make them feel real. This is a poem that will continue to touch the hearts of readers for generations to come.
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