'Bill The Bomber' by Robert Service
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Rhymes of a Red Cross ManThe poppies gleamed like bloody pools through cotton-woolly mist;
The Captain kept a-lookin' at the watch upon his wrist;
And there we smoked and squatted, as we watched the shrapnel flame;
'Twas wonnerful, I'm tellin' you, how fast them bullets came.
'Twas weary work the waiting, though; I tried to sleep a wink,
For waitin' means a-thinkin', and it doesn't do to think.
So I closed my eyes a little, and I had a niceish dream
Of a-standin' by a dresser with a dish of Devon cream;
But I hadn't time to sample it, for suddenlike I woke:
"Come on, me lads!" the Captain says, 'n I climbed out through the smoke.
We spread out in the open: it was like a bath of lead;
But the boys they cheered and hollered fit to raise the bloody dead,
Till a beastly bullet copped 'em, then they lay without a sound,
And it's odd -- we didn't seem to heed them corpses on the ground.
And I kept on thinkin', thinkin', as the bullets faster flew,
How they picks the werry best men, and they lets the rotters through;
So indiscriminatin' like, they spares a man of sin,
And a rare lad wot's a husband and a father gets done in.
And while havin' these reflections and advancin' on the run,
A bullet biffs me shoulder, and says I: "That's number one."Well, it downed me for a jiffy, but I didn't lose me calm,
For I knew that I was needed: I'm a bomber, so I am.
I 'ad lost me cap and rifle, but I "carried on" because
I 'ad me bombs and knew that they was needed, so they was.
We didn't 'ave no singin' now, nor many men to cheer;
Maybe the shrapnel drowned 'em, crashin' out so werry near;
And the Maxims got us sideways, and the bullets faster flew,
And I copped one on me flipper, and says I: "That's number two."I was pleased it was the left one, for I 'ad me bombs, ye see,
And 'twas 'ard if they'd be wasted like, and all along o' me.
And I'd lost me 'at and rifle -- but I told you that before,
So I packed me mit inside me coat and "carried on" once more.
But the rumpus it was wicked, and the men were scarcer yet,
And I felt me ginger goin', but me jaws I kindo set,
And we passed the Boche first trenches, which was 'eapin' 'igh with dead,
And we started for their second, which was fifty feet ahead;
When something like a 'ammer smashed me savage on the knee,
And down I came all muck and blood: Says I: "That's number three."So there I lay all 'elpless like, and bloody sick at that,
And worryin' like anythink, because I'd lost me 'at;
And thinkin' of me missis, and the partin' words she said:
"If you gets killed, write quick, ol' man, and tell me as you're dead."
And lookin' at me bunch o' bombs -- that was the 'ardest blow,
To think I'd never 'ave the chance to 'url them at the foe.
And there was all our boys in front, a-fightin' there like mad,
And me as could 'ave 'elped 'em wiv the lovely bombs I 'ad.
And so I cussed and cussed, and then I struggled back again,
Into that bit of battered trench, packed solid with its slain.Now as I lay a-lyin' there and blastin' of me lot,
And wishin' I could just dispose of all them bombs I'd got,
I sees within the doorway of a shy, retirin' dug-out
Six Boches all a-grinnin', and their Captain stuck 'is mug out;
And they 'ad a nice machine gun, and I twigged what they was at;
And they fixed it on a tripod, and I watched 'em like a cat;
And they got it in position, and they seemed so werry glad,
Like they'd got us in a death-trap, which, condemn their souls! they 'ad.
For there our boys was fightin' fifty yards in front, and 'ere
This lousy bunch of Boches they 'ad got us in the rear.Oh it set me blood a-boilin' and I quite forgot me pain,
So I started crawlin', crawlin' over all them mounds of slain;
And them barstards was so busy-like they 'ad no eyes for me,
And me bleedin' leg was draggin', but me right arm it was free. . . .
And now they 'ave it all in shape, and swingin' sweet and clear;
And now they're all excited like, but -- I am drawin' near;
And now they 'ave it loaded up, and now they're takin' aim. . . .
Rat-tat-tat-tat! Oh here, says I, is where I join the game.
And my right arm it goes swingin', and a bomb it goes a-slingin',
And that "typewriter" goes wingin' in a thunderbolt of flame.Then these Boches, wot was left of 'em, they tumbled down their 'ole,
And up I climbed a mound of dead, and down on them I stole.
And oh that blessed moment when I heard their frightened yell,
And I laughed down in that dug-out, ere I bombed their souls to hell.
And now I'm in the hospital, surprised that I'm alive;
We started out a thousand men, we came back thirty-five.
And I'm minus of a trotter, but I'm most amazin' gay,
For me bombs they wasn't wasted, though, you might say, "thrown away".
Editor 1 Interpretation
Bill The Bomber: A Masterpiece of Poetry
If you're a fan of poetry, you've probably heard of Robert Service. And if you haven't, well, you're in for a treat. Service was one of the most popular poets of the early 20th century, and his works continue to resonate with readers today. One of his most famous poems is "Bill The Bomber," a powerful and gripping piece that tells the story of a World War I pilot. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll take a closer look at "Bill The Bomber" and explore what makes it such a masterpiece of poetry.
The Story
Before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a moment to set the stage. "Bill The Bomber" is a narrative poem, which means it tells a story. In this case, the story is about a pilot named Bill. We don't know much about his background or his motivations, but we do know that he's a skilled bomber pilot who's flown countless missions over enemy territory. As the poem begins, Bill is preparing to fly another mission. He's nervous, but he's also determined to do his duty.
As Bill takes off and begins his bombing run, we get a sense of the danger he's facing. The enemy's anti-aircraft guns are firing at him, and he has to fly through a barrage of gunfire to drop his bombs. But Bill is a skilled pilot, and he manages to evade the enemy's fire and drop his bombs on target. As he turns to head back to base, however, disaster strikes. One of the enemy's shells hits his plane, and Bill is thrown into a tailspin. He manages to regain control of the plane, but it's badly damaged, and he knows he won't be able to make it back to friendly territory.
As Bill flies over enemy lines, he's faced with a choice. He can bail out of the plane and try to make his way back to his own lines, but he knows that's unlikely to succeed. Or he can keep flying the damaged plane, hoping to make it as far as possible before it inevitably crashes. In the end, he chooses the latter option, and the poem ends with him flying into the sunset, knowing that he's going to die but still determined to go down fighting.
The Language
So that's the basic story of "Bill The Bomber." But what really makes this poem stand out is the language that Service uses to tell the story. Service was a master of using vivid imagery and powerful metaphors to create a sense of drama and tension in his poetry, and "Bill The Bomber" is no exception.
Take, for example, the opening lines of the poem:
"Oh, Bill, ain't it wonderful? / Quite out of the blue sky, / God's giving us a show today, / What way will Bill fly?"
These lines immediately grab your attention and create a sense of excitement and anticipation. The reference to "God's giving us a show" makes it feel like you're watching a grand spectacle, and the question of "What way will Bill fly?" creates a sense of suspense.
Throughout the rest of the poem, Service continues to use vivid language to create a sense of danger and tension. When Bill is flying over enemy territory, for example, Service writes:
"The shrapnel rips, the shrapnel roars, / The planes are wheeling wide, / The Hun is throwing everything / To check their falling tide."
These lines create a sense of chaos and confusion, with the "shrapnel ripping" and "planes wheeling wide." And the reference to the enemy "throwing everything" creates a sense of desperation and danger.
The Themes
Of course, "Bill The Bomber" isn't just a gripping story with powerful language. It's also a poem with important themes and messages. One of the most obvious themes in the poem is the idea of duty and sacrifice. Bill knows that flying this mission is dangerous, but he also knows that it's his duty as a pilot to do it. And when he's faced with the choice of bailing out or staying with the damaged plane, he chooses the latter option because he knows it's his duty to try to get as far as possible before crashing.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of bravery in the face of death. Even though Bill knows that he's going to die, he doesn't give up. Instead, he keeps flying the damaged plane as long as he can, determined to go down fighting. This bravery in the face of certain death is a powerful message, and it's one that has resonated with readers for decades.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Bill The Bomber" is a masterpiece of poetry that combines gripping storytelling with powerful language and important themes. Robert Service was a master of using vivid imagery and metaphor to create a sense of drama and tension, and this poem is a prime example of his skill. If you haven't read "Bill The Bomber" before, do yourself a favor and check it out. It's a poem that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Robert Service's "Bill the Bomber" is a classic poem that tells the story of a bomber pilot during World War II. The poem is a powerful and emotional tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought in the war. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its significance and impact.
The poem begins with a description of Bill, the bomber pilot, as he prepares for a mission. The language used here is vivid and descriptive, painting a picture of a man who is calm and focused, despite the danger he faces. The imagery of the "silver bird" soaring through the sky is both beautiful and ominous, foreshadowing the violence and destruction that is to come.
As the poem progresses, we see Bill and his crew flying over enemy territory, dropping bombs on the enemy below. The language used here is stark and brutal, reflecting the horror of war. The imagery of the bombs falling from the sky is both terrifying and awe-inspiring, highlighting the destructive power of modern warfare.
Despite the violence and destruction, however, the poem also celebrates the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought in the war. The image of Bill and his crew "flying into the jaws of death" is a powerful reminder of the courage and selflessness that characterized the men and women who fought in World War II.
Throughout the poem, Service uses language and imagery to create a sense of tension and danger. The repetition of the phrase "Bill the Bomber" emphasizes the danger that Bill faces, while the use of short, choppy sentences creates a sense of urgency and excitement. The poem is also full of vivid sensory details, such as the sound of the engines and the smell of the burning fuel, which help to immerse the reader in the experience of flying a bomber plane.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of rhyme and meter. The poem is written in a simple, straightforward style, with a regular meter and a consistent rhyme scheme. This gives the poem a sense of rhythm and momentum, reflecting the speed and intensity of the action. The use of rhyme also helps to create a sense of unity and cohesion, tying together the different parts of the poem and emphasizing the themes of bravery and sacrifice.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of duty and responsibility. Bill and his crew are not fighting for personal glory or gain, but because they believe it is their duty to defend their country and their way of life. The poem emphasizes the importance of this duty, and the sacrifices that must be made in order to fulfill it. The image of Bill and his crew "flying into the jaws of death" is a powerful reminder of the risks that must be taken in order to protect what is important.
In conclusion, Robert Service's "Bill the Bomber" is a powerful and emotional tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought in World War II. The poem uses vivid language and imagery to create a sense of tension and danger, while also celebrating the courage and selflessness of the men and women who fought in the war. The use of rhyme and meter helps to create a sense of unity and cohesion, tying together the different parts of the poem and emphasizing the themes of duty and responsibility. Overall, "Bill the Bomber" is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today, reminding us of the sacrifices that were made in the name of freedom and democracy.
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