'A Song Of The Sandbags' by Robert Service


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No, Bill, I'm not a-spooning out no patriotic tosh
(The cove be'ind the sandbags ain't a death-or-glory cuss).
And though I strafes 'em good and 'ard I doesn't 'ate the Boche,
I guess they're mostly decent, just the same as most of us.
I guess they loves their 'omes and kids as much as you or me;
And just the same as you or me they'd rather shake than fight;
And if we'd 'appened to be born at Berlin-on-the-Spree,
We'd be out there with 'Ans and Fritz, dead sure that we was right.

A-standin' up to the sandbags
It's funny the thoughts wot come;
Starin' into the darkness,
'Earin' the bullets 'um;
(Zing! Zip! Ping! Rip!
'ark 'ow the bullets 'um!
)
A-leanin' against the sandbags
Wiv me rifle under me ear,
Oh, I've 'ad more thoughts on a sentry-go
Than I used to 'ave in a year.

I wonder, Bill, if 'Ans and Fritz is wonderin' like me
Wot's at the bottom of it all? Wot all the slaughter's for?
'E thinks 'e's right (of course 'e ain't) but this we both agree,
If them as made it 'ad to fight, there wouldn't be no war.
If them as lies in feather beds while we kips in the mud;
If them as makes their fortoons while we fights for 'em like 'ell;
If them as slings their pot of ink just 'ad to sling their blood:
By Crust! I'm thinkin' there 'ud be another tale to tell.

Shiverin' up to the sandbags,
With a hicicle 'stead of a spine,
Don't it seem funny the things you think
'Ere in the firin' line:
(Whee! Whut! Ziz! Zut!
Lord! 'ow the bullets whine!
)
Hunkerin' down when a star-shell
Cracks in a sputter of light,
You can jaw to yer soul by the sandbags
Most any old time o' night.

They talks o' England's glory and a-'oldin' of our trade,
Of Empire and 'igh destiny until we're fair flim-flammed;
But if it's for the likes o' that that bloody war is made,
Then wot I say is: Empire and 'igh destiny be damned!
There's only one good cause, Bill, for poor blokes like us to fight:
That's self-defence, for 'earth and 'ome, and them that bears our name;
And that's wot I'm a-doin' by the sandbags 'ere to-night. . . .
But Fritz out there will tell you 'e's a-doin' of the same.

Starin' over the sandbags,
Sick of the 'ole damn thing;
Firin' to keep meself awake,
'Earin' the bullets sing.
(Hiss! Twang! Tsing! Pang!
Saucy the bullets sing
.)
Dreamin' 'ere by the sandbags
Of a day when war will cease,
When 'Ans and Fritz and Bill and me
Will clink our mugs in fraternity,
And the Brotherhood of Labour will be
The Brotherhood of Peace.

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Song Of The Sandbags: A Literary Criticism

Oh, what a joy it is to dive into and explore the depths of a well-crafted poem! And when it comes to Robert Service's "A Song Of The Sandbags", one can't help but feel the adrenaline rush of an adventure in the trenches during the First World War. With its vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and rhythmic flow, this poem stands out as a timeless masterpiece of war poetry. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll delve into its themes, language, structure, and historical context to unravel its significance in literature.

Historical Context

Before we move on to the poem itself, we need to understand the historical context in which it was written. Robert Service, a Scottish-born Canadian poet, was serving as a war correspondent for the Toronto Star during the First World War when he wrote "A Song Of The Sandbags". The poem was published in 1916, at a time when the war was raging on and the trenches were the frontlines of the conflict. Service's experience as a war correspondent provided him with first-hand knowledge of the horrors and heroism of the war, and this is reflected in his poetry.

Themes

"A Song Of The Sandbags" is a poem that explores the themes of war, sacrifice, heroism, and camaraderie. The poem's central image is that of the sandbags, which symbolize the soldiers' efforts to protect themselves from the enemy's fire. The sandbags are the soldiers' shield, their refuge, and their sole source of safety in the midst of the chaos and destruction of war. The poem celebrates the soldiers' resilience, their determination to fight back, and their willingness to lay down their lives for their comrades and their country.

Language

The language of "A Song Of The Sandbags" is simple and direct, yet powerful and evocative. Service's use of vivid imagery and metaphors creates a stark contrast between the brutal reality of war and the soldiers' inner strength and courage. For example, the opening lines of the poem, "Ho, all you who sleep in Flanders Fields, / To-day we stand amidst the flowers, / And hear the pipings of the quails," create a serene and peaceful image that is shattered by the next line, "But louder than the anvil's clink / And deeper than the drums' tattoo / Voices of Memory sound and sink." Here, Service uses the metaphor of an anvil's clink and a drum's tattoo to convey the sound of war, which is louder and deeper than anything else.

The use of onomatopoeia in the poem, such as the "crump" of exploding shells and the "whiz-bang" of incoming fire, adds to the sense of realism and immediacy. Service's use of repetition, such as the repeated use of the phrase "Sandbags, Sandbags" and the repetition of the word "bullets" in the line "Bullets, bullets, sing and sigh", creates a sense of urgency and reinforces the central image of the sandbags.

Structure

The structure of "A Song Of The Sandbags" is simple and straightforward. The poem consists of six stanzas, each containing four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, with the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyming. The regularity of the structure creates a sense of stability and order, which is in contrast to the chaotic and unpredictable nature of war.

The poem's use of repetition, as mentioned earlier, creates a sense of rhythm and momentum. The repeated use of the phrase "Sandbags, Sandbags" creates a sense of unity and solidarity among the soldiers, as they work together to protect themselves from the enemy.

Interpretation

Interpreting "A Song Of The Sandbags" requires an understanding of the historical context in which it was written, as well as an appreciation for the poem's themes, language, and structure. The poem is a tribute to the soldiers who fought and died in the First World War, and their sacrifices are celebrated in the poem's powerful imagery and metaphors. The sandbags symbolize the soldiers' bravery and resilience in the face of adversity, and their willingness to fight for their country and their comrades.

Service's use of language creates a vivid and realistic portrayal of war, which is both brutal and beautiful. The contrast between the peaceful image of Flanders Fields and the sounds of war creates a powerful and emotional effect on the reader. The poem's use of repetition and rhythm creates a sense of unity and solidarity, which is essential to the soldiers' survival in the trenches.

In conclusion, "A Song Of The Sandbags" is a timeless masterpiece of war poetry, which celebrates the heroism and sacrifices of the soldiers who fought and died in the First World War. Its themes of war, sacrifice, heroism, and camaraderie are universal and relevant to any conflict, and its language and structure create a powerful and emotional effect on the reader. Service's legacy as a war poet is secured by this poem, which stands as a testament to the courage and resilience of the soldiers who fought in the trenches.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

A Song Of The Sandbags: An Ode to the Unsung Heroes of War

Robert Service's A Song Of The Sandbags is a classic poem that pays tribute to the unsung heroes of war - the soldiers who worked tirelessly to build and maintain the sandbag fortifications that protected them from enemy fire. Written during World War I, the poem captures the spirit of camaraderie and resilience that defined the soldiers' experience of war.

The poem begins with a vivid description of the soldiers' work:

"Three thousand million of them here And all of them with work to do! I'm one of them, and so are you, And so's the other fellow, too!"

The opening lines of the poem immediately establish the sense of community and shared purpose that characterized the soldiers' experience. The soldiers are not just individuals, but part of a larger collective that is working towards a common goal.

The poem then goes on to describe the soldiers' work in building the sandbag fortifications:

"We pile the stuff on parapets, And in the trenches deep and wide, We weave a chequer-work of nets, And swing the filling to its side."

The soldiers' work is not glamorous or heroic - it is hard, back-breaking labor that requires them to work in difficult conditions. But despite the challenges, the soldiers are determined to do their job well, knowing that their work is essential to their survival.

As the poem progresses, Service introduces us to some of the individual soldiers who are working on the sandbags. There's Private Smith, who "swears and grumbles all day long," but who is nevertheless a skilled worker who can "build a parapet that's strong." There's Corporal Dick, who is "a man of few words," but who is nevertheless respected by his fellow soldiers for his hard work and dedication.

Through these individual portraits, Service shows us the diversity of the soldiers who fought in World War I. They come from different backgrounds and have different personalities, but they are united by their shared experience of war and their commitment to their work.

The poem also touches on the soldiers' emotions and experiences. Service writes:

"We're sick of war, we're tired of strife, We've fought for Honour, Liberty, For Freedom, Justice, Truth, and Life, But not for you and me, not we."

These lines capture the soldiers' weariness and disillusionment with war. They have fought for noble ideals, but they have also seen the horrors of war up close. They know that the sandbag fortifications they are building may be the only thing that stands between them and death.

Despite their weariness, however, the soldiers remain committed to their work. They know that their labor is essential to their survival, and they take pride in doing it well. As Service writes:

"We're building up a wall of earth, A bulwark huge and grand and strong, To shield us from the foeman's wrath, To keep us from the battle's throng."

The sandbag fortifications may not be glamorous or heroic, but they are essential to the soldiers' survival. They are a testament to the soldiers' resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, A Song Of The Sandbags is a classic poem that pays tribute to the unsung heroes of war - the soldiers who worked tirelessly to build and maintain the sandbag fortifications that protected them from enemy fire. Through vivid descriptions and individual portraits, Robert Service captures the spirit of camaraderie and resilience that defined the soldiers' experience of war. The poem is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices that soldiers make in the service of their country, and of the importance of recognizing and honoring their contributions.

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