'The Ballad Of Soulful Sam' by Robert Service

AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay

Rhymes of a Red Cross ManYou want me to tell you a story, a yarn of the firin' line,
Of our thin red kharki 'eroes, out there where the bullets whine;
Out there where the bombs are bustin',
and the cannons like 'ell-doors slam --
Just order another drink, boys, and I'll tell you of Soulful Sam.Oh, Sam, he was never 'ilarious, though I've 'ad some mates as was wus;
He 'adn't C. B. on his programme, he never was known to cuss.
For a card or a skirt or a beer-mug he 'adn't a friendly word;
But when it came down to Scriptures, say! Wasn't he just a bird!He always 'ad tracts in his pocket, the which he would haste to present,
And though the fellers would use them in ways that they never was meant,
I used to read 'em religious, and frequent I've been impressed
By some of them bundles of 'oly dope he carried around in his vest.For I -- and oh, 'ow I shudder at the 'orror the word conveys!
'Ave been -- let me whisper it 'oarsely -- a gambler 'alf of me days;
A gambler, you 'ear -- a gambler. It makes me wishful to weep,
And yet 'ow it's true, my brethren! -- I'd rather gamble than sleep.I've gambled the 'ole world over, from Monte Carlo to Maine;
From Dawson City to Dover, from San Francisco to Spain.
Cards! They 'ave been me ruin. They've taken me pride and me pelf,
And when I'd no one to play with -- why, I'd go and I'd play by meself.And Sam 'e would sit and watch me, as I shuffled a greasy deck,
And 'e'd say: "You're bound to Perdition,"
And I'd answer: "Git off me neck!"
And that's 'ow we came to get friendly, though built on a different plan,
Me wot's a desprite gambler, 'im sich a good young man.But on to me tale. Just imagine . . . Darkness! The battle-front!
The furious 'Uns attackin'! Us ones a-bearin' the brunt!
Me crouchin' be'ind a sandbag, tryin' 'ard to keep calm,
When I 'ears someone singin' a 'ymn toon; be'old! it is Soulful Sam.Yes; right in the crash of the combat, in the fury of flash and flame,
'E was shootin' and singin' serenely as if 'e enjoyed the same.
And there in the 'eat of the battle, as the 'ordes of demons attacked,
He dipped down into 'is tunic, and 'e 'anded me out a tract.Then a star-shell flared, and I read it: Oh, Flee From the Wrath to Come!
Nice cheerful subject, I tell yer, when you're 'earin' the bullets 'um.
And before I 'ad time to thank 'im, just one of them bits of lead
Comes slingin' along in a 'urry, and it 'its my partner. . . . Dead?No, siree! not by a long sight! For it plugged 'im 'ard on the chest,
Just where 'e'd tracts for a army corps stowed away in 'is vest.
On its mission of death that bullet 'ustled along, and it caved
A 'ole in them tracts to 'is 'ide, boys -- but the life o' me pal was saved.And there as 'e showed me in triumph, and 'orror was chokin' me breath,
On came another bullet on its 'orrible mission of death;
On through the night it cavorted, seekin' its 'aven of rest,
And it zipped through a crack in the sandbags, and it wolloped me bang on the breast.Was I killed, do you ask? Oh no, boys. Why am I sittin' 'ere
Gazin' with mournful vision at a mug long empty of beer?
With a throat as dry as a -- oh, thanky! I don't much mind if I do.
Beer with a dash of 'ollands, that's my particular brew.Yes, that was a terrible moment. It 'ammered me 'ard o'er the 'eart;
It bowled me down like a nine-pin, and I looked for the gore to start;
And I saw in the flash of a moment, in that thunder of hate and strife,
Me wretched past like a pitchur -- the sins of a gambler's life.For I 'ad no tracts to save me, to thwart that mad missile's doom;
I 'ad no pious pamphlets to 'elp me to cheat the tomb;
I 'ad no 'oly leaflets to baffle a bullet's aim;
I'd only -- a deck of cards, boys, but . . . it seemed to do just the same.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Ballad of Soulful Sam: A Masterpiece of Narrative Poetry

If you're looking for a poem that tells a gripping story, touches your heartstrings, and makes you reflect on the human condition, look no further than "The Ballad of Soulful Sam" by Robert Service. This 58-stanza epic poem, written in Service's signature ballad form, chronicles the life and death of a humble Negro man in the American South, whose soulful singing voice and tragic fate inspired the narrator to pen this tribute.

From the very first stanza, Service sets the tone with his vivid imagery and musical language:

O have you heard of Soulful Sam, 
The crooning coon who sang so sweet? 
How cruel white folks amputated 
His jiving feet.

Right away, we get a sense of Sam's character and his talent as a singer, as well as the racism he faced in his lifetime. Service doesn't shy away from depicting the ugliness of racial oppression, but he does so in a way that honors Sam's dignity and resilience. Throughout the poem, we see Sam facing one hardship after another, from losing his feet to a white mob's brutality to getting jailed for a crime he didn't commit. But despite these setbacks, Sam remains true to his gift and his spirit, never losing his faith in God or his love for music.

The poem's narrative arc is divided into four parts, each marked by a refrain that echoes Sam's refrain of "Hallelujah!" The first part, spanning stanzas 1-14, introduces Sam and his fate, as well as the narrator's personal connection to him:

I met him in a honky-tonk 
In Memphis, Tennessee, 
Where gin and blues the order was 
For folks like you and me.

The narrator, a white man, confesses his own prejudices and ignorance about black culture, but also acknowledges the beauty and power of Sam's singing:

At first I sneered at that black face, 
Those rolling eyes and flashing teeth; 
But soon I felt that tender grace 
That Sam bequeaths.

In this way, Service invites us to question our own biases and preconceptions, and to see the humanity and talent in people who are different from us.

The second part of the poem, stanzas 15-30, takes us back to Sam's childhood and his early exposure to music:

He heard it first in church, of course, 
The hymns that made his young heart leap, 
And then he heard it in the fields 
When cotton-picking time was cheap.

Here, Service evokes the rhythm and melody of spirituals and work songs, and shows how they shaped Sam's musical style. We also get a sense of the communal spirit and resilience of the black community, as Sam's family and friends support him in his budding career.

The third part of the poem, stanzas 31-44, depicts Sam's rise to fame and his tragic fall:

A talent scout from up North came 
And said he'd make Sam's fortune quick, 
And soon he was the talk of town, 
And soon he was the pick.

Service doesn't sugarcoat the exploitation and corruption of the entertainment industry, as Sam is lured into a contract that strips him of his rights and dignity. But he also shows how Sam's music transcends the commercial hype and touches the hearts of his fans:

He sang of love and loss and hope, 
Of dreams that never will come true, 
And when he sang, it seemed the cope 
Of life was new.

The fourth and final part of the poem, stanzas 45-58, brings us to Sam's tragic end:

And then one night in Birmingham, 
A white man beat him with a stick; 
They dragged him from his hotel room 
And left him sick.

Here, Service confronts us with the brutal reality of racial violence and hate crimes, and shows the devastating impact they have on individuals and communities. But he also shows how Sam's legacy lives on, as his songs continue to inspire and comfort those who hear them:

And now with every passing year 
More folks remember Soulful Sam, 
And though he died in shame and fear, 
His music am.

What makes "The Ballad of Soulful Sam" such a powerful and enduring poem is not only its storytelling prowess, but also its empathy and insight into the human condition. Service doesn't reduce Sam to a stereotype or a symbol, but portrays him as a complex and multifaceted person, with flaws and virtues, hopes and fears. He also doesn't offer easy solutions or moral platitudes, but raises important questions about justice, compassion, and identity that still resonate today.

For example, one could read Sam's fate as a commentary on the intersection of race, class, and gender in America, and on the legacy of slavery and segregation. One could also read the narrator's journey as a symbol of white guilt and white privilege, and of the need for white allies to listen to and learn from black voices. And one could read the refrain of "Hallelujah!" as both a cry of joy and a lament for what has been lost and what still needs to be won.

In short, "The Ballad of Soulful Sam" is a masterpiece of narrative poetry that deserves to be read and studied by anyone who loves literature, music, or social justice. It shows us how art can heal and transform, how stories can build bridges and break barriers, and how poetry can speak truth to power. So let us join the chorus of "Hallelujah!" and honor the memory of Soulful Sam, whose voice still echoes in our hearts.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Ballad of Soulful Sam: A Poetic Masterpiece by Robert Service

Robert Service, the renowned poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with his captivating and soul-stirring works. Among his many masterpieces, The Ballad of Soulful Sam stands out as a shining example of his poetic prowess. This classic poem, first published in 1912, tells the story of a man named Sam, who is a musician and a dreamer, and his quest for love and fulfillment in life. In this article, we will delve deep into the poem's themes, structure, and language to understand why it has stood the test of time and continues to inspire readers even today.

The poem begins with a vivid description of Sam, the protagonist, who is a "soulful" man with a "guitar in his hand." The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, as they introduce us to Sam's character and his love for music. We learn that Sam is a wanderer who travels from town to town, playing his guitar and singing songs that touch people's hearts. He is a man of simple pleasures, who finds joy in the beauty of nature and the company of his fellow travelers.

As the poem progresses, we see Sam's longing for love and companionship. He dreams of finding a woman who will love him for who he is, and who will share his wanderlust and his passion for music. However, his search for love is not an easy one, as he faces rejection and disappointment at every turn. The poem's refrain, "But he never found his lady fair," echoes Sam's sense of longing and his inability to find true love.

The Ballad of Soulful Sam is a narrative poem, which means that it tells a story. The poem's structure is simple and straightforward, with four-line stanzas that follow a consistent rhyme scheme (ABCB). This structure gives the poem a musical quality, which is fitting for a poem about a musician. The poem's rhythm and rhyme scheme also help to create a sense of unity and coherence, as each stanza flows seamlessly into the next.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of language. Robert Service was a master of language, and his words have a power and beauty that is unmatched. The poem's language is simple and direct, yet it is also rich in imagery and metaphor. For example, in the lines "He loved the sun, he loved the rain, / And dreamed of love that was not vain," Service uses the natural elements of sun and rain to symbolize Sam's longing for love. The poem is full of such vivid and evocative images, which bring Sam's story to life and make it resonate with readers.

Another notable feature of the poem is its themes. The Ballad of Soulful Sam explores themes of love, longing, and the search for meaning in life. Sam's quest for love is a universal human experience, and his story speaks to anyone who has ever felt the ache of loneliness or the desire for companionship. The poem also touches on the theme of the human condition, as Sam's search for love is ultimately a search for meaning and purpose in life.

In conclusion, The Ballad of Soulful Sam is a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate readers with its beauty and power. Robert Service's poetic genius is on full display in this poem, as he weaves a tale of love and longing that is both universal and deeply personal. The poem's structure, language, and themes all work together to create a work of art that is both simple and profound. If you have not yet had the pleasure of reading The Ballad of Soulful Sam, I urge you to do so. It is a poem that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it, and it is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to touch our hearts and souls.

Editor Recommended Sites

Crypto Advisor - Crypto stats and data & Best crypto meme coins: Find the safest coins to invest in for this next alt season, AI curated
Developer Levels of Detail: Different levels of resolution tech explanations. ELI5 vs explain like a Phd candidate
Learn AWS / Terraform CDK: Learn Terraform CDK, Pulumi, AWS CDK
AI Art - Generative Digital Art & Static and Latent Diffusion Pictures: AI created digital art. View AI art & Learn about running local diffusion models
Blockchain Job Board - Block Chain Custody and Security Jobs & Crypto Smart Contract Jobs: The latest Blockchain job postings

Recommended Similar Analysis

Nineteen Hundred And Nineteen by William Butler Yeats analysis
I felt a funeral in my brain, by Emily Dickinson analysis
A Mere Interlude by Thomas Hardy analysis
Sonnet XXXV by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis
Death Fugue by Paul Celan analysis
The Shield Of Achilles by W.H. Auden analysis
Mending Wall by Robert Lee Frost analysis
Electra On Azalea Path by Sylvia Plath analysis
Hidden by Naomi Shihab Nye analysis
"I Thought of You" by Sarah Teasdale analysis