'Young Fellow My Lad' by Robert Service
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"Where are you going, Young Fellow My Lad,
On this glittering morn of May?"
"I'm going to join the Colours, Dad;
They're looking for men, they say."
"But you're only a boy, Young Fellow My Lad;
You aren't obliged to go."
"I'm seventeen and a quarter, Dad,
And ever so strong, you know."
* * * *
"So you're off to France, Young Fellow My Lad,
And you're looking so fit and bright."
"I'm terribly sorry to leave you, Dad,
But I feel that I'm doing right."
"God bless you and keep you, Young Fellow My Lad,
You're all of my life, you know."
"Don't worry. I'll soon be back, dear Dad,
And I'm awfully proud to go."
* * * *
"Why don't you write, Young Fellow My Lad?
I watch for the post each day;
And I miss you so, and I'm awfully sad,
And it's months since you went away.
And I've had the fire in the parlour lit,
And I'm keeping it burning bright
Till my boy comes home; and here I sit
Into the quiet night.
* * * *
"What is the matter, Young Fellow My Lad?
No letter again to-day.
Why did the postman look so sad,
And sigh as he turned away?
I hear them tell that we've gained new ground,
But a terrible price we've paid:
God grant, my boy, that you're safe and sound;
But oh I'm afraid, afraid."
* * * *
"They've told me the truth, Young Fellow My Lad:
You'll never come back again:
(Oh God! the dreams and the dreams I've had,
and the hopes I've nursed in vain!)
For you passed in the night, Young Fellow My Lad,
And you proved in the cruel test
Of the screaming shell and the battle hell
That my boy was one of the best.
"So you'll live, you'll live, Young Fellow My Lad,
In the gleam of the evening star,
In the wood-note wild and the laugh of the child,
In all sweet things that are.
And you'll never die, my wonderful boy,
While life is noble and true;
For all our beauty and hope and joy
We will owe to our lads like you."
Editor 1 Interpretation
Young Fellow My Lad: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
"Give me the youth, the strength, the fire of Spring!" These words from Robert Service's "Young Fellow My Lad" stir up a sense of excitement and passion within the reader. The poem, published in Service's 1916 collection, "Rhymes of a Red Cross Man," is a tribute to young soldiers who fought in World War I. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes and literary devices that Service uses to convey his message.
Analysis
Title
The title of the poem, "Young Fellow My Lad," immediately establishes the focus on youth. The use of the term "lad" also conveys a sense of familiarity and affection. The word "young" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the importance Service places on youth.
Structure
The poem is composed of four stanzas, each consisting of eight lines. The consistent structure creates a sense of rhythm and repetition, emphasizing the importance of the message Service is trying to convey. The rhyme scheme is ABABCCDD, with the last two lines in each stanza being a couplet. The use of couplets creates a sense of completion and finality.
Imagery
Throughout the poem, Service uses vivid imagery to convey the themes of youth, sacrifice, and bravery. The opening lines of the poem, "Young fellow my lad, though all the world forget thee, / Thou hast not failed to-day," create a powerful image of a young soldier standing tall in the face of adversity. The use of the word "lad" emphasizes the youth of the soldier, while the phrase "all the world forget thee" creates a sense of isolation and loneliness.
Service also uses powerful imagery to convey the sacrifices that young soldiers make. In the second stanza, he writes, "Thy freshest youth has gone to that red sacrifice / From which no gleanings come." The use of the word "sacrifice" creates a powerful image of young soldiers giving their lives for a cause they believe in. The phrase "from which no gleanings come" emphasizes the finality of their sacrifice.
Alliteration and Assonance
Service also uses alliteration and assonance to create a sense of rhythm and repetition in the poem. In the first stanza, he writes, "Young fellow my lad, / I'm proud of you, your comrades too..." The repetition of the "y" sound in "young," "fellow," and "proud" creates a sense of unity and solidarity.
In the second stanza, Service uses assonance to create a sense of rhythm. He writes, "Thy heart shall glow with a deeper hue / Than when its blood was true." The repetition of the "o" sound in "glow," "deeper," and "true" creates a sense of unity and completion.
Repetition
Repetition is a key literary device used throughout the poem. The repetition of the word "young" emphasizes the importance of youth in the poem. Service also repeats the phrase "my lad" throughout the poem, emphasizing the affection he has for the young soldiers.
The final stanza of the poem repeats the phrase "Give me..." multiple times. The repetition creates a sense of urgency and importance, emphasizing the message Service is trying to convey.
Themes
The themes of youth, sacrifice, and bravery are central to the poem. Service emphasizes the importance of youth, highlighting the sacrifices that young soldiers make in times of war. The poem also conveys a sense of admiration for the bravery of young soldiers who give their lives for a cause they believe in.
Tone
The tone of the poem is one of admiration and respect. Service's use of the phrase "my lad" conveys a sense of affection for the young soldiers. The repetition of the word "young" emphasizes the importance of youth and the sacrifices that young soldiers make.
Interpretation
"Young Fellow My Lad" is a tribute to the young soldiers who fought in World War I. Service's use of vivid imagery, alliteration, and repetition create a powerful message of admiration and respect for the bravery and sacrifices of young soldiers.
The poem also emphasizes the importance of youth in times of war. Service highlights the sacrifices that young soldiers make, emphasizing the finality of their sacrifice. The poem conveys a sense of urgency and importance, emphasizing the need for young soldiers to stand tall and fight for what they believe in.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Young Fellow My Lad" is a powerful tribute to the young soldiers who fought in World War I. Service's use of vivid imagery, alliteration, and repetition create a powerful message of admiration and respect for the bravery and sacrifices of young soldiers. The poem emphasizes the importance of youth in times of war and the need for young soldiers to stand tall and fight for what they believe in.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Young Fellow My Lad: A Poem of Inspiration and Courage
Robert Service’s Young Fellow My Lad is a classic poem that has inspired generations of readers with its message of courage, determination, and perseverance. Written in Service’s signature style of simple yet powerful language, the poem captures the essence of the human spirit and its ability to overcome adversity and achieve greatness. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of the poem and understand why it continues to resonate with readers today.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing a young man, whom he calls “my lad”. The speaker urges the young man to “be brave and true” and not to “falter and fall”. The use of the imperative form of verbs creates a sense of urgency and importance, as if the speaker is imparting a crucial piece of advice to the young man. The repetition of the phrase “my lad” throughout the poem also reinforces the speaker’s affection and concern for the young man.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker encourages the young man to face the challenges of life with courage and determination. The use of the metaphor “the road to the heights” suggests that the young man has a lofty goal or ambition that he wishes to achieve. The image of a road winding upwards also implies that the journey will be difficult and arduous, but the young man must persevere and not give up.
In the second stanza, the speaker acknowledges that the young man will face obstacles and setbacks on his journey. He warns him that “the road uphill” is “rocky and rough”, and that he will encounter “many a fallen stone”. The use of the metaphor “fallen stone” suggests that the young man will encounter obstacles that have already defeated others who have attempted the same journey. However, the speaker encourages the young man not to be discouraged by these obstacles, but to “climb till your goal is won”.
The third stanza introduces the theme of self-belief and confidence. The speaker tells the young man that he must “have faith in your own powers” and not to “doubt your own worth”. The use of the imperative form of verbs again reinforces the importance of these messages. The image of a “star” that “beckons you on” suggests that the young man has a guiding light or inspiration that he must follow. The star also represents the young man’s own potential and greatness, which he must believe in and strive towards.
The fourth stanza introduces the theme of perseverance and determination. The speaker tells the young man that he must “fight till the fight is won” and not to “yield till the goal is reached”. The use of the repetition of the word “till” creates a sense of continuous effort and determination. The image of a “battle” suggests that the young man’s journey will not be easy, but he must be prepared to fight for what he wants.
The fifth stanza introduces the theme of sacrifice and hard work. The speaker tells the young man that he must “work till your task is done” and not to “rest till your goal is won”. The use of the repetition of the word “till” again reinforces the importance of continuous effort. The image of a “task” suggests that the young man’s journey will require hard work and dedication. The use of the word “rest” suggests that the young man may be tempted to give up or take a break, but he must resist this temptation and keep working towards his goal.
The final stanza brings the poem to a powerful conclusion. The speaker tells the young man that if he follows his advice, he will “rise on the world” and “live in the sun”. The use of the metaphor “rise on the world” suggests that the young man will achieve greatness and be recognized for his achievements. The image of “living in the sun” suggests that the young man will experience happiness and fulfillment. The final line of the poem, “Be a friend to man”, reinforces the idea that the young man’s journey is not just about personal achievement, but also about making a positive impact on others.
In terms of language, Service’s use of simple and direct language is one of the strengths of the poem. The use of short, declarative sentences creates a sense of urgency and importance. The repetition of key phrases such as “my lad” and “till” reinforces the key themes of the poem. The use of metaphors and imagery also adds depth and richness to the poem, allowing readers to visualize the young man’s journey and the obstacles he must overcome.
In conclusion, Young Fellow My Lad is a classic poem that continues to inspire readers today with its message of courage, determination, and perseverance. Service’s use of simple yet powerful language, metaphors, and imagery creates a sense of urgency and importance that resonates with readers of all ages. The poem’s themes of self-belief, perseverance, sacrifice, and making a positive impact on others are timeless and universal, making it a true classic of English literature.
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