'The Song of the Old Guard' by Rudyard Kipling
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Know this, my brethren, Heaven is clear
And all the clouds are gone--
The Proper Sort shall flourish now,
Good times are coming on"--
The evil that was threatened late
To all of our degree
Hath passed in discord and debate,
And,Hey then up go we!
A common people strove in vain
To shame us unto toil,
But they are spent and we remain,
And we shall share the spoil
According to our several needs
As Beauty shall decree,
As Age ordains or Birth concedes,
And, Hey then up go we!
And they that with accursed zeal
Our Service would amend,
Shall own the odds and come to heel
Ere worse befall their end:
For though no naked word be wrote
Yet plainly shall they see
What pinneth Orders on their coat,
And, Hey then up go we!
Our doorways that, in time of fear,
We opened overwide
Shall softly close from year to year
Till all be purified;
For though no fluttering fan be heard.
Nor chaff be seen to flee--
The Lord shall winnow the Lord's Preferred--
And, Hey then up go we!
Our altars which the heathen brake
Shall rankly smoke anew,
And anise, mint and cummin take
Their dread and sovereign due,
Whereby the buttons of our trade
Shall soon restored be
With curious work in gilt and braid,
And, Hey then up go we!
Then come, my brethren, and prepare
The candlesticks and bells,
The scarlet, brass, and badger's hair
Wherein our Honour dwells,
And straitly fenceand strictly keep
The Ark's integrity
Till Armageddon break our sleep . . .
And, Hey then go we!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Song of the Old Guard: A Literary Analysis
Rudyard Kipling, one of the most beloved British writers of the late 19th and early 20th century, is known for his works that explore themes such as imperialism, colonialism, and heroism. One of his most famous poems, "The Song of the Old Guard," is a bold and poignant tribute to the soldiers who fought for Britain during the Victorian era. The poem was first published in 1897, and it remains a classic today. In this literary analysis, I will examine the themes, structure, and literary devices that Kipling uses in "The Song of the Old Guard."
Themes
One of the most prominent themes in "The Song of the Old Guard" is the idea of duty and loyalty to one's country. The poem celebrates the soldiers who fought for Britain during the Victorian era, and it portrays them as brave and selfless men who were willing to sacrifice everything for their nation. Kipling's use of language and imagery reinforces this theme, as he describes the soldiers as "grim and grey" and "stern and strong" (lines 4-5). The repetition of the phrase "for the Queen" throughout the poem further emphasizes the soldiers' sense of duty and loyalty.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of sacrifice. The soldiers in "The Song of the Old Guard" are portrayed as heroes who gave their lives for their country. Kipling describes them as "the men who fought and died" (line 12), and he repeatedly emphasizes the idea that they "gave their all for Queen and land" (line 17). This theme is reinforced by the poem's structure, which is a marching song that is meant to be sung by soldiers. The repetitive rhythm and rhyme scheme create a sense of unity and cohesion, which reinforces the idea of sacrifice and selflessness.
Finally, the theme of remembrance is also present in the poem. Kipling wrote "The Song of the Old Guard" during a time when Britain was experiencing a wave of nostalgia for its past. The poem was published in the year of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, which celebrated her 60-year reign. The poem's focus on the soldiers of the past, who had fought for Britain during Victoria's reign, is a reflection of this nostalgia. The poem serves as a tribute to these soldiers, and it encourages future generations to remember their sacrifice.
Structure
"The Song of the Old Guard" is structured as a marching song, with a repetitive rhythm and rhyme scheme that is meant to be sung by soldiers. The poem consists of four stanzas, each of which has six lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCC, with the first four lines rhyming with each other and the last two lines forming a rhyming couplet. The repetitive structure of the poem reinforces the theme of unity and cohesion among the soldiers, and it creates a sense of momentum that builds throughout the poem.
The poem's structure also reinforces the theme of sacrifice. The repetition of the phrase "for the Queen" throughout the poem creates a sense of duty and loyalty, and it emphasizes the soldiers' willingness to sacrifice everything for their country. The marching rhythm of the poem creates a sense of movement and progress, which reinforces the idea that the soldiers were always moving forward, sacrificing themselves for the greater good.
Literary Devices
Kipling uses several literary devices in "The Song of the Old Guard" to reinforce the poem's themes and structure. One of the most prominent literary devices is repetition. The repetition of the phrase "for the Queen" throughout the poem emphasizes the soldiers' sense of duty and loyalty, and it reinforces the idea of sacrifice. The repetition of the rhyme scheme and rhythm also creates a sense of unity and cohesion among the soldiers, and it reinforces the poem's structure as a marching song.
Kipling also uses imagery to reinforce the poem's themes. The soldiers are described as "grim and grey" and "stern and strong" (lines 4-5), which emphasizes their bravery and selflessness. The phrase "men who fought and died" (line 12) creates an image of soldiers who were willing to give everything for their country, and the phrase "gave their all for Queen and land" (line 17) reinforces this idea of sacrifice.
Finally, Kipling uses alliteration and assonance to create a sense of rhythm and momentum in the poem. The repetition of the "g" sound in "grim and grey" (line 4) and the "f" sound in "fought and died" (line 12) creates a sense of movement and progress, which reinforces the poem's structure as a marching song.
Conclusion
"The Song of the Old Guard" is a powerful tribute to the soldiers who fought for Britain during the Victorian era. Kipling's use of language, imagery, and literary devices reinforces the poem's themes of duty, sacrifice, and remembrance. The poem's structure as a marching song creates a sense of unity and cohesion among the soldiers, and it reinforces the idea that they were always moving forward, sacrificing themselves for the greater good. "The Song of the Old Guard" remains a classic today, and it serves as a reminder of the bravery and selflessness of the soldiers who fought for Britain during the Victorian era.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Song of the Old Guard: An Ode to the Unsung Heroes of War
Rudyard Kipling, the renowned British poet, novelist, and short-story writer, is known for his vivid and evocative portrayals of the human experience. His works often explore themes of patriotism, imperialism, and the complexities of human nature. One of his most celebrated poems, "The Song of the Old Guard," is a stirring tribute to the brave soldiers who fought and died for their country. In this analysis, we will delve into the themes, imagery, and symbolism of this classic poem.
The poem begins with a powerful opening stanza that sets the tone for the rest of the work. Kipling writes:
"Long years ago, when there was war, The Old Guard died where they stood. They were young, they were lean, they were simple and clean, And they numbered the greatest of good."
This opening stanza immediately establishes the poem's central theme: the valor and sacrifice of soldiers in times of war. Kipling's use of the phrase "the greatest of good" emphasizes the idea that these soldiers were not just fighting for their country, but for a higher cause. They were willing to lay down their lives for something greater than themselves.
The second stanza of the poem introduces the idea of the "Old Guard." Kipling writes:
"They were neither so wise nor so old As the world would have deemed them to be, But they knew of their duty and did it with pride, And that was sufficient, you see."
Here, Kipling is emphasizing the idea that age and experience are not the only qualities that make a good soldier. The Old Guard may have been young and inexperienced, but they were dedicated to their duty and willing to fight for their country. This idea is further reinforced in the third stanza:
"They were not of the breed that goes down At the first touch of fear or of pain, But they stood to the last with their faces a-cast In the mold of the men who remain."
Kipling is emphasizing the idea that the Old Guard were not easily defeated. They were willing to face fear and pain in order to defend their country. This idea is further reinforced in the fourth stanza:
"They were not of the breed that is born To the purple of power and place, But they died as they lived, with a sword in the hand, And a smile on the lips of their face."
Here, Kipling is emphasizing the idea that the Old Guard were not born into positions of power or privilege. They were ordinary men who rose to the occasion when their country needed them. The image of the soldiers dying with a sword in their hand and a smile on their face is a powerful one, emphasizing the idea that they died with honor and dignity.
The fifth stanza of the poem introduces the idea of the "New Guard." Kipling writes:
"But the New Guard comes to its own In the fullness of youth and of pride, And it looks at the Old with a pitying eye, And it laughs at the things they have died."
Here, Kipling is emphasizing the idea that the younger generation often fails to appreciate the sacrifices of those who came before them. The New Guard may be full of youth and pride, but they have not yet experienced the horrors of war. They do not understand the sacrifices that the Old Guard made in order to defend their country.
The sixth stanza of the poem is a powerful one, emphasizing the idea that the Old Guard's sacrifice was not in vain:
"But the Old Guard lives in the heart Of the nation they died to save, And their names are a flame and a trumpet proclaim That the land they loved has a grave."
Here, Kipling is emphasizing the idea that the Old Guard's sacrifice lives on in the hearts of the people they died to save. Their names are remembered and celebrated, and their sacrifice is a testament to the love they had for their country.
The final stanza of the poem is a powerful one, emphasizing the idea that the Old Guard's sacrifice was not in vain:
"So here's to the Old Guard, the brave, The simple, the true, and the tried, And here's to their memory, bright as the sun, And here's to the land where they died."
Here, Kipling is emphasizing the idea that the Old Guard should be celebrated and remembered for their bravery and sacrifice. Their memory should be as bright as the sun, and their sacrifice should be honored by the land they died to save.
In conclusion, "The Song of the Old Guard" is a powerful tribute to the brave soldiers who fought and died for their country. Kipling's use of vivid imagery and powerful symbolism emphasizes the idea that the Old Guard's sacrifice was not in vain. Their memory lives on in the hearts of the people they died to save, and their sacrifice is a testament to the love they had for their country. This poem is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices that soldiers make in times of war, and it is a tribute to the unsung heroes who gave their lives for something greater than themselves.
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