'If You Had A Friend' by Robert Service

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Ballads of a Bohemian (Book 3)If you had a friend strong, simple, true,
Who knew your faults and who understood;
Who believed in the very best of you,
And who cared for you as a father would;
Who would stick by you to the very end,
Who would smile however the world might frown:
I'm sure you would try to please your friend,
You never would think to throw him down.And supposing your friend was high and great,
And he lived in a palace rich and tall,
And sat like a King in shining state,
And his praise was loud on the lips of all;
Well then, when he turned to you alone,
And he singled you out from all the crowd,
And he called you up to his golden throne,
Oh, wouldn't you just be jolly proud?If you had a friend like this, I say,
So sweet and tender, so strong and true,
You'd try to please him in every way,
You'd live at your bravest -- now, wouldn't you?
His worth would shine in the words you penned;
You'd shout his praises . . . yet now it's odd!
You tell me you haven't got such a friend;
You haven't? I wonder . . .

Editor 1 Interpretation

"If You Had A Friend" by Robert Service: A Poem of True Friendship

If you had a friend, someone who would stick by you through thick and thin, someone who would be with you through the ups and downs of life, someone who would always be there for you no matter what, then you would know what it means to truly have a friend. And that is exactly what Robert Service's poem "If You Had A Friend" is all about.

At first glance, the poem seems to be a simple description of what a true friend is. But as we delve deeper into the poem, we realize that there is much more to it than meets the eye. Service's poem is a powerful commentary on the nature of friendship and the importance of having someone to rely on in times of need.

The Structure of the Poem

One of the first things that strikes the reader about "If You Had A Friend" is its structure. The poem is written in four stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a simple, almost nursery-rhyme-like quality.

But this simplicity is deceptive. Service's use of repetition and parallelism throughout the poem creates a sense of rhythm and momentum that propels the reader forward. The poem's structure, then, is not just a matter of aesthetics, but is an integral part of the poem's meaning.

The Meaning of the Poem

So what is the meaning of "If You Had A Friend"? At its most basic level, the poem is a celebration of the joys of friendship. Service describes a friend as someone who will "laugh with you in gladness" and "weep with you in sorrow." A friend is someone who will "stand by you to the end" and who will "lift you up when you are down."

But the poem is more than just a description of what a friend is. It is a commentary on the importance of friendship in our lives. Service reminds us that "we all need a friend sometime" and that "life is sometimes dark and drear." In these moments, it is our friends who can provide us with the support and comfort that we need.

But the poem also speaks to the nature of true friendship. Service emphasizes that a true friend is someone who will be with us no matter what. They will not judge us or abandon us when things get tough. They will be there to help us through the hard times and to celebrate with us in the good times.

The Poem in Context

To fully appreciate the power of "If You Had A Friend," it is important to consider it in the context of Service's other works. Service was a poet who was known for his celebration of the rugged individualism and independence of the frontier spirit. But in "If You Had A Friend," he takes a different tack. He acknowledges that even the strongest and bravest among us need the support of others from time to time.

This theme of the importance of community and connection is one that Service returns to again and again in his poetry. In works such as "The Law of the Yukon" and "The Spell of the Yukon," he celebrates the camaraderie and solidarity of the men and women who braved the harsh conditions of the Canadian wilderness. In "If You Had A Friend," he extends this celebration of community to our everyday lives.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Robert Service's poem "If You Had A Friend" is a powerful meditation on the nature of friendship and the importance of having someone to rely on in times of need. Through its simple, yet powerful structure and its evocative language, the poem reminds us of the joy and comfort that can be found in true friendship.

As we navigate through the challenges of our daily lives, it is easy to forget the importance of our relationships with others. But as Service reminds us, it is our friends who can provide us with the strength and support that we need to face whatever challenges come our way. And that is a lesson that we would all do well to remember.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

If You Had A Friend: A Poem of Friendship and Loyalty

Robert Service, the renowned poet and writer, has penned down some of the most beautiful and thought-provoking poems of all time. One such poem that stands out is "If You Had A Friend." This poem is a beautiful ode to friendship and loyalty, and it speaks to the heart of every person who has ever had a true friend.

The poem begins with the lines, "If you had a friend you loved, / Who loved you in return, / How would you treat your friend, / And what would you do or learn?" These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, and they immediately draw the reader in. The poem is written in a conversational style, as if the poet is speaking directly to the reader, and this makes it all the more relatable.

The poem goes on to describe the various ways in which we can show our love and loyalty to our friends. It talks about being there for them in times of need, listening to them when they need someone to talk to, and standing by them through thick and thin. The poem also talks about the importance of forgiveness and understanding in a friendship, and how these qualities can help us overcome any obstacles that come our way.

One of the most beautiful lines in the poem is, "If you had a friend you loved, / You'd never let him down, / You'd never leave him in the lurch, / Or steal his rightful crown." This line speaks to the heart of what true friendship is all about. It's about being there for each other, no matter what, and never letting each other down. It's about being loyal and trustworthy, and always putting your friend's needs before your own.

The poem also talks about the importance of honesty in a friendship. It says, "If you had a friend you loved, / You'd never tell him lies, / You'd never keep a secret, / That would hurt him in the eyes." This line reminds us that honesty is the foundation of any strong friendship. Without honesty, there can be no trust, and without trust, there can be no true friendship.

Another beautiful line in the poem is, "If you had a friend you loved, / You'd never let him stray, / You'd always be his guiding star, / To light him on his way." This line speaks to the importance of being a positive influence in our friends' lives. It's about being there to support them and guide them, and helping them to become the best version of themselves.

The poem ends with the lines, "If you had a friend you loved, / You'd be the best of friends, / And when your life on earth was done, / Your friendship never ends." These lines remind us that true friendship is eternal. It transcends time and space, and it lasts forever. It's a bond that can never be broken, even in death.

In conclusion, "If You Had A Friend" is a beautiful poem that speaks to the heart of what true friendship is all about. It reminds us of the importance of being there for each other, of being loyal and trustworthy, and of always putting our friends' needs before our own. It's a poem that will resonate with anyone who has ever had a true friend, and it's a reminder of just how precious and valuable those friendships truly are.

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