'Bill's Prayer' by Robert Service


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I never thought that Bill could say
A proper prayer;
'Twas more in his hard-bitten way
To cuss and swear;
Yet came the night when Baby Ted
Was bitter ill,
I tip-toed to his tiny bed,
And there was Bill.

Aye, down upon his bended knees
I heard him cry:
"O God, don't take my kiddy, please!
Don't let him die!"
Then softly so he would not see,
I shrank away:
He would have been so shamed for me
To see him pray.

Men-folk are queer: Bill acts up tough,
Yet how it's odd,
When things are looking downright rough
He tunes to God.
"The Parson and the Priest be darned!"
I've heard him say:
Yet when his baby is concerned
He's quick to pray.

Maybe it's gentle parent-hood
That gives us grace,
And in its sacrificial mood
Uplifts the race.
Of sentiment, all self above,
That goodness sums
I think the saving best is Love
For little ones.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Bill's Prayer" by Robert Service: A Poem of Hope and Despair

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to be at the end of your rope? To have nowhere to turn, no one to talk to, and no hope left? To feel like your life has been a string of disappointments, and that everything you do is doomed to fail? If you have, then you might find solace in the poem "Bill's Prayer" by Robert Service.

"Bill's Prayer" is a short, yet powerful poem that tells the story of a man who has lost all faith in himself and the world around him. Bill is a broken man, with no money, no job, and no family to turn to. He has hit rock bottom, and he knows it. But instead of giving up, Bill turns to prayer, and in doing so, he finds a glimmer of hope in the darkness that surrounds him.

The poem begins with a vivid description of Bill's sorry state. He is "down and out" and "on his uppers," with "nothin' left to shout about" and "nothin' left to weep." We can feel the weight of Bill's despair in these lines, and we can imagine the sense of hopelessness that must have consumed him. But then, something changes.

Bill begins to pray, and his prayer is a desperate plea for help. He asks God to give him strength, to help him find a job, and to bless his simple needs. He acknowledges his mistakes, but he also asks for forgiveness, and for a second chance.

What is striking about Bill's prayer is that it is not a lofty or grandiose appeal. He doesn't ask for riches, or fame, or power. He asks for the basics: a roof over his head, food in his belly, and the chance to work hard and make a living. He asks for the things that we all take for granted, but that for him, would mean the world.

As Bill prays, we can feel his desperation, but we can also sense his sincerity. He is not asking for a miracle, or for some divine intervention that would magically solve all his problems. He is asking for a chance, and for the strength to make the most of it. He is asking for a glimmer of hope, and for the courage to keep going, even when the odds are stacked against him.

The poem ends with a sense of ambiguity. We don't know if Bill's prayers will be answered. We don't know if he will find a job, or a home, or a reason to keep living. But we do know that he has found something else: a sense of purpose, and a glimmer of hope. He has found the strength to keep going, and the courage to face whatever lies ahead.

In many ways, "Bill's Prayer" is a poem of contradictions. It is a prayer of desperation, but also of hope. It is a cry for help, but also a declaration of self-reliance. It is a poem about failure, but also about the possibility of redemption. It is a poem that speaks to the human condition, and to our innate need for meaning and purpose.

But perhaps most of all, "Bill's Prayer" is a poem about the power of prayer itself. It is a reminder that even when we feel alone, even when we feel helpless, there is always someone to turn to. It is a reminder that even the smallest of prayers can make a difference, and that even in the darkest of moments, there is always hope.

In conclusion, "Bill's Prayer" is a short yet powerful poem that speaks to the human condition in a profound and moving way. Through the story of Bill, we are reminded of the power of prayer, and of the importance of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity. It is a poem that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt lost, alone, or hopeless, and it is a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Bill's Prayer: A Poem of Hope and Redemption

Robert Service's "Bill's Prayer" is a classic poem that tells the story of a man who has hit rock bottom and is seeking redemption. The poem is a powerful reminder of the human capacity for hope and the transformative power of faith.

The poem begins with the narrator describing Bill as a "wreck of a man" who has "drifted and stumbled and lurchingly ran" through life. Bill is a man who has lost everything, including his family, his job, and his home. He is a man who has hit rock bottom and is desperate for a way out.

But despite his desperate situation, Bill is not without hope. He turns to prayer as a way to find redemption and salvation. The poem is a powerful testament to the transformative power of faith and the human capacity for hope.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which tells a different part of Bill's story. The first stanza describes Bill's desperate situation and his decision to turn to prayer. The second stanza describes the power of prayer and the hope it brings to Bill. The third stanza describes the transformation that takes place in Bill as a result of his prayer.

In the first stanza, the narrator describes Bill as a "wreck of a man" who has lost everything. He is a man who has "drifted and stumbled and lurchingly ran" through life. He is a man who has hit rock bottom and is desperate for a way out.

But despite his desperate situation, Bill is not without hope. He turns to prayer as a way to find redemption and salvation. The narrator describes Bill's prayer as a "cry from the heart" that is filled with "anguish and pain."

The second stanza describes the power of prayer and the hope it brings to Bill. The narrator describes how Bill's prayer is answered by a "voice from above" that fills him with hope and comfort. The voice tells Bill that he is not alone and that there is a way out of his desperate situation.

The third stanza describes the transformation that takes place in Bill as a result of his prayer. The narrator describes how Bill is filled with a sense of peace and hope that he has never felt before. He is no longer a "wreck of a man" but a man who has found redemption and salvation through prayer.

The poem is a powerful reminder of the human capacity for hope and the transformative power of faith. It is a testament to the fact that no matter how desperate our situation may seem, there is always hope. We just need to have faith and turn to prayer as a way to find redemption and salvation.

In conclusion, Robert Service's "Bill's Prayer" is a classic poem that tells the story of a man who has hit rock bottom and is seeking redemption. The poem is a powerful reminder of the human capacity for hope and the transformative power of faith. It is a testament to the fact that no matter how desperate our situation may seem, there is always hope. We just need to have faith and turn to prayer as a way to find redemption and salvation.

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