'Tipperary Days' by Robert Service
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Oh, weren't they the fine boys! You never saw the beat of them,
Singing all together with their throats bronze-bare;
Fighting-fit and mirth-mad, music in the feet of them,
Swinging on to glory and the wrath out there.
Laughing by and chaffing by, frolic in the smiles of them,
On the road, the white road, all the afternoon;
Strangers in a strange land, miles and miles and miles of them,
Battle-bound and heart-high, and singing this tune:
It's a long way to Tipperary,
It's a long way to go;
It's a long way to Tipperary,
And the sweetest girl I know.
Good-bye, Piccadilly,
Farewell, Lester Square:
It's a long, long way to Tipperary,
But my heart's right there.
"Come, Yvonne and Juliette! Come, Mimi, and cheer for them!
Throw them flowers and kisses as they pass you by.
Aren't they the lovely lads! Haven't you a tear for them
Going out so gallantly to dare and die?
What is it they're singing so? Some high hymn of Motherland?
Some immortal chanson of their Faith and King?
'Marseillaise' or 'Brabanc,on', anthem of that other land,
Dears, let us remember it, that song they sing:
"C'est un chemin long 'to Tepararee',
C'est un chemin long, c'est vrai;
C'est un chemin long 'to Tepararee',
Et la belle fille qu'je connais.
Bonjour, Peekadeely!
Au revoir, Lestaire Squaire!
C'est un chemin long 'to Tepararee',
Mais mon coeur 'ees zaire'."
The gallant old "Contemptibles"! There isn't much remains of them,
So full of fun and fitness, and a-singing in their pride;
For some are cold as clabber and the corby picks the brains of them,
And some are back in Blighty, and a-wishing they had died.
And yet it seems but yesterday, that great, glad sight of them,
Swinging on to battle as the sky grew black and black;
But oh their glee and glory, and the great, grim fight of them! --
Just whistle Tipperary and it all comes back:
It's a long way to Tipperary
(Which means "'ome" anywhere);
It's a long way to Tipperary
(And the things wot make you care).
Good-bye, Piccadilly
('Ow I 'opes my folks is well);
It's a long, long way to Tipperary --
('R! Ain't War just 'ell?)
Editor 1 Interpretation
Tipperary Days: A Tale of Love and Loss
by Robert Service
Oh, the weary ways of the modern world! The humdrum routines and endless obligations that seem to sap the soul of all its joy and passion. How we long for the simpler times, the days when life was simpler, sweeter, and more innocent. And that is precisely what Robert Service gives us in his timeless poem, "Tipperary Days". This is a poem that speaks to the heart and touches the soul, a poem that brings to life a lost era and a lost love. Join me, dear reader, as we explore the depths of this haunting masterpiece, and unravel its secrets one by one.
Historical Background
Before we delve into the poem itself, it might be useful to provide some context for the world in which it was written. Robert Service was a Scottish-Canadian poet and writer, born in 1874 and active in the early 20th century. He is perhaps best known for his work during World War I, in which he served as a war correspondent and wrote stirring poems such as "The Shooting of Dan McGrew" and "The Cremation of Sam McGee". However, Service's work extends far beyond war poetry, and his oeuvre includes a wide range of subjects and styles.
"Tipperary Days" was published in 1916, at the height of the war, and it is a reflection of the nostalgia and longing for simpler times that many people felt at that time. The poem is set in the late 19th century, in the Irish town of Tipperary, and it tells the story of a young man who falls in love with a girl named Mary, only to lose her to illness. The poem is written in a simple, rhyming style, with a nostalgic tone that evokes the innocence and beauty of a bygone era.
Analysis
The poem begins with a description of the town of Tipperary, and the narrator's memories of his youth:
Oh, the days of the Kerry dancing,
Oh, the ring of the piper's tune,
Oh, for one of those hours of gladness,
Gone, alas! like our youth too soon!
We can immediately sense the wistful tone of the poem, as the narrator looks back on a time of carefree joy that has been lost forever. The reference to the "Kerry dancing" and the "ring of the piper's tune" evokes a sense of traditional Irish culture and music, and sets the scene for the nostalgic journey that follows.
The narrator then proceeds to describe the girl he fell in love with:
Of the joys of the past, of the past, gay and splendid,
Of youth that's forever departed;
Ah, my heart is so weary and sad and so lonely,
For my darlin' Tipperary Maid.
Here we see the first mention of the narrator's love, and we can sense the depth of his longing and sorrow. The repetition of "of the past" emphasizes the finality of the loss, while the use of the word "gay" in its original sense (meaning happy and carefree) adds to the bittersweet nature of the poem. The use of Irish dialect ("darlin'") adds a touch of authenticity and reinforces the sense of place and time.
The narrator then recounts the happy times he spent with Mary, and the joy he felt in her presence:
How I loved her! My wild Irish Rose,
In the fields where the wild birds sing;
And when we danced in the village hall,
My heart would take wing.
The use of the metaphor of the "wild Irish Rose" adds to the romanticism and nostalgia of the poem, while the reference to the "wild birds" and the "village hall" reinforce the sense of a close-knit, traditional community. The use of the phrase "my heart would take wing" adds a touch of whimsy and lightness to the poem, and reminds us of the fleeting nature of youth and love.
The tone of the poem then takes a darker turn, as the narrator describes Mary's illness and death:
Then came the day she fell ill,
And never again was strong;
And I held her hand as she lay dying,
And I knew that her life was gone.
Here we see the inevitability of death, and the way in which it can shatter even the most beautiful and perfect moments. The use of the phrase "never again was strong" gives a sense of the finality of the loss, while the image of the narrator holding Mary's hand as she dies is heart-wrenching in its simplicity. The use of the word "knew" rather than "realized" or "understood" adds to the sense of immediacy and intensity, and underscores the emotional impact of the moment.
The poem concludes with a final expression of the narrator's longing and sorrow:
Oh, the green hills of Tipperary,
Oh, the soft summer rain,
Oh, the eyes that shone like diamonds,
My sweet Tipperary Maid.
Here we see the full extent of the narrator's loss, as he longs for the beauty and joy of the past, and for the girl who embodied that time. The use of the phrase "my sweet Tipperary Maid" brings the poem full circle, and reminds us of the depth of the narrator's love and the power of memory.
Interpretation
"Tipperary Days" is a poem that speaks to the heart and evokes a sense of longing and loss that is universal. At its core, the poem is a meditation on the fleeting nature of youth and love, and the way in which they can be transformed and lost over time. The use of Irish dialect and traditional imagery adds to the authenticity and atmosphere of the poem, while the simple, rhyming style reinforces the sense of innocence and sweetness.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of contrast and juxtaposition. The narrator moves seamlessly from descriptions of joy and happiness to descriptions of sorrow and loss, creating a complex and nuanced portrait of the human experience. The use of metaphor and imagery is also highly effective, with the "wild Irish Rose" serving as a powerful symbol of both the beauty and fragility of love.
In terms of its historical context, "Tipperary Days" can be seen as a reflection of the nostalgia and longing for simpler times that many people felt during World War I. The poem offers a glimpse into a lost era, and reminds us of the power of memory and tradition in shaping our sense of self and identity. It is a testament to the enduring power of art to capture and express the deepest emotions and experiences of the human spirit.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Tipperary Days" is a timeless masterpiece that speaks to the heart and touches the soul. Through its use of traditional Irish imagery and dialect, contrast and juxtaposition, and powerful metaphor and imagery, the poem evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing that is both universal and deeply personal. It is a testament to the beauty and fragility of love, and to the enduring power of memory and tradition in shaping our sense of self and identity. Robert Service has given us a gift in this poem, and it is one that will continue to be treasured for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Tipperary Days: A Nostalgic Journey Through Time
Robert Service's Tipperary Days is a classic poem that takes us on a journey through time, back to the author's childhood memories of Ireland. The poem is a beautiful tribute to the author's homeland, and it captures the essence of the Irish countryside and its people. In this article, we will delve into the poem's themes, structure, and language, and explore what makes it such a timeless piece of literature.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with eight lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCCDD, which gives the poem a musical quality. The first stanza sets the scene, describing the author's childhood home in Tipperary. The second stanza takes us on a journey through the countryside, while the third stanza reflects on the author's memories and the passing of time.
The poem's language is simple and evocative, with vivid descriptions of the Irish landscape. Service uses a range of sensory imagery to bring the countryside to life, from the "whinny of a horse" to the "smell of turf smoke." The poem's language is also infused with nostalgia, as the author reflects on his childhood memories and the passing of time.
One of the poem's central themes is the idea of home and belonging. Service's childhood home in Tipperary is described as a place of comfort and security, where "the firelight danced and glowed." The author's memories of his home are filled with warmth and happiness, and he longs to return to that place of safety and familiarity. This theme of home and belonging is a universal one, and it resonates with readers of all ages and backgrounds.
Another important theme in the poem is the passing of time. The author reflects on the changes that have taken place since his childhood, and he mourns the loss of the old ways of life. The poem is infused with a sense of nostalgia for a simpler time, when life was slower and more connected to the land. This theme of the passing of time is a poignant one, and it reminds us of the importance of cherishing our memories and the people and places that we love.
Service's use of imagery is particularly effective in conveying the poem's themes. The image of the "whinny of a horse" in the second stanza, for example, evokes a sense of the rural landscape and the importance of the horse in Irish culture. The image of the "smell of turf smoke" in the first stanza is similarly evocative, conjuring up memories of the warmth and comfort of the family home. These images are simple yet powerful, and they help to create a vivid sense of place and time.
The poem's structure is also significant in conveying its themes. The three stanzas are arranged in a chronological order, with the first stanza describing the author's childhood home, the second stanza taking us on a journey through the countryside, and the third stanza reflecting on the passing of time. This structure gives the poem a sense of movement and progression, and it helps to convey the idea of the passage of time.
In conclusion, Tipperary Days is a beautiful and evocative poem that captures the essence of the Irish countryside and its people. The poem's themes of home and belonging, and the passing of time, are universal ones that resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds. Service's use of imagery and structure is particularly effective in conveying these themes, and the poem's language is simple yet powerful. Tipperary Days is a timeless piece of literature that reminds us of the importance of cherishing our memories and the people and places that we love.
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