'Good -Bye, Little Cabin' by Robert W. Service


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O dear little cabin, I've loved you so long,
And now I must bid you good-bye!
I've filled you with laughter, I've thrilled you with song
And sometimes I've wished I could cry.
Your walls they have witnessed a weariful fight,
And rung to a won Waterloo:
But oh, in my triumph I'm dreary to-night --
Good-bye, little cabin to you!

Your roof is bewhiskered, your floor is a-slant,
Your walls seem to sag and to swing;
I'm trying to find just your faults, but I can't --
You poor, tired, heart-broken old thing!
I've seen when you've been the best friend that I had
Your light like a gem on the snow;
You're sort of a part of me -- Gee! but I'm sad;
I hate, little cabin, to go.

Below your cracked window red raspberries climb;
A hornet's nest hangs from a beam;
Your rafters are scribbled with adage and rhyme,
And dimmed with tobacco and dream.
"Each day has its laugh," and "Don't worry, just work."
Such mottoes reproachfully shine.
Old calendars dangle -- what memories lurk
About you, dear cabin of mine!

I hear the world-call and the clang of the fight;
I hear the hoarse cry of my kind;
Yet well do I know, as I quit you to-night,
It's Youth that I'm leaving behind.
And often I'll think of you, empty and black,
Moose antlers nailed over your door:
Oh, if I should perish my ghost will come back
To dwell in you, cabin, once more!

How cold, still and lonely, how weary you seem!
A last wistful look and I'll go.
Oh, will you remember the lad with his dream!
The lad that you comforted so.
The shadows enfold you, it's drawing to-night;
The evening star needles the sky:
And huh! but it's stinging and stabbing my sight --
God bless you, old cabin, good-bye!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Good-Bye, Little Cabin: A Eulogy for Simpler Times

Robert W. Service's Good-Bye, Little Cabin is a poignant ode to a bygone era, a nostalgic celebration of a simpler, more rustic way of life. Written in the early 20th century, when modernity was rapidly encroaching upon traditional lifestyles, Service's poem mourns the passing of an old world and its values, and pays tribute to the rugged individualism, self-reliance, and resilience that characterized the pioneers and frontiersmen of the American West.

At its core, Good-Bye, Little Cabin is a farewell to a beloved home, a humble abode nestled in the bosom of nature, surrounded by mountains, streams, and forests. The cabin is not just a physical structure, but a symbol of a whole way of life, a way of living in harmony with the land, the seasons, and the elements. Service describes the cabin in loving detail, evoking its humble charm, its rustic beauty, and its intimate connection with the natural world.

Good-bye, little cabin of mine,
 dear old shanty of pine,
Where the flickerin' shadows play
 across the floor like a sprite at play;
Where the lightnin' bugs and the crickets sing
 and the rain comes beatin' down in Spring;
Where the shingles leak when the wind is West
 and the snow-birds come to the window-nest;
Where the swallows come in the early May
 and build their nests in the walls of clay;
Where the rafters creak when the mice run out
 and the bed-bugs sing in the trundle bed;
Where the moths fly in when the moon is bright,
 and bang their wings on the paper light;
Where the hornets cling to the roof o' bark,
 and the mud dauber builds in the chambers dark.
Oh, it's hard to go and it's hard to stay,
 but I guess I'd rather be movin' away.

The imagery is vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a cozy, lived-in space that exudes warmth, comfort, and familiarity. The cabin is not just a shelter, but a home, a place where memories are made, stories are shared, and lives are lived. The use of personification and anthropomorphism gives the cabin a personality of its own, endowing it with a sense of life and vitality that makes its departure all the more poignant.

One of the most striking aspects of Good-Bye, Little Cabin is its sense of nostalgia, its wistful longing for a lost world. Service captures the essence of a time when life was simpler, slower, and more connected to nature. The cabin represents a way of life that is disappearing, a way of living that is being eroded by modernity, industrialization, and urbanization. Service mourns the passing of this world, and reminds us of its beauty, its simplicity, and its resilience.

Good-bye, little cabin of mine,
 dear old shanty of pine,
Where the wild winds whistle and moan
 through the knotholes, rifted and lone;
Where the mighty shadows stretch and sway
 with the forest monarchs old and gray;
Where the eagle screams from his craggy height
 and the porcupine pads in the pale moonlight;
Where the fierce grizzly steals through the brush
 and the timid quail in the corn doth rush;
Where the mule deer crops the dewy grass
 and the chipmunk frolics when day doth pass;
Where the sun doth shine and the snow doth fall,
 and the bitter blast doth fiercely squall;
Where the cactus blooms and the rattlesnake
 coils in his coils, like a coil of brake;
Where the mountains rear their hoary heads
 and the cataract leaps to his stony beds.
Oh, it's hard to go and it's hard to stay,
 but I guess I'd rather be movin' away.

The poem's language is rich and lyrical, full of vibrant imagery and poignant metaphors. Service's use of repetition, alliteration, and rhyme creates a musicality that underscores the poem's elegiac tone. The poem is a testament to the power of language to evoke emotion and stir the heart, to transport the reader to another time and place.

At its heart, Good-Bye, Little Cabin is a celebration of resilience, of the human spirit's ability to endure and thrive in the face of adversity. The cabin represents a way of life that is rugged, challenging, and often harsh, but also fulfilling, rewarding, and deeply satisfying. The pioneers and frontiersmen who built and lived in such cabins were tough, resourceful, and self-reliant, qualities that are just as valuable today as they were in the past. Service's poem is a reminder that we should never forget the lessons of the past, and that we should always strive to live in harmony with nature, to be self-sufficient, and to value the simple things in life.

In conclusion, Good-Bye, Little Cabin is a timeless masterpiece of poetry, a lyrical meditation on the passing of an old world and a celebration of the enduring resilience of the human spirit. It is a tribute to the beauty and simplicity of a way of life that is disappearing, and a reminder that we should always cherish and protect the natural world that sustains us. Robert W. Service's poem is a testament to the power of literature to transport and inspire, to move and uplift the human soul.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Good-Bye, Little Cabin: A Poetic Ode to the Simple Life

Robert W. Service's "Good-Bye, Little Cabin" is a classic poem that captures the essence of the simple life. The poem is a nostalgic farewell to a cabin that has been the poet's home for many years. It is a celebration of the joys of living in nature, away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.

The poem begins with the poet bidding farewell to his little cabin. He describes it as a "rustic shack" that has been his home for many years. The cabin is situated in a remote location, surrounded by nature. The poet has lived a simple life in this cabin, away from the distractions of modern life. He has enjoyed the peace and quiet of the woods, the sound of the birds, and the rustling of the leaves. The cabin has been his sanctuary, a place where he can be himself and connect with nature.

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The poet uses vivid imagery to describe the cabin and its surroundings. He talks about the "tangled wildwood" and the "rippling brook" that are a part of the cabin's environment. The imagery is rich and evocative, painting a picture of a serene and idyllic setting. The poet's love for nature is evident in the way he describes the cabin and its surroundings.

In the second stanza, the poet talks about the memories he has of the cabin. He talks about the "happy days" he has spent there, and the "sunny hours" he has enjoyed. The memories are bittersweet, as he knows that he has to leave the cabin behind. The poet's nostalgia is palpable in this stanza, as he remembers the good times he has had in the cabin.

The third stanza is a reflection on the simple life that the poet has lived in the cabin. He talks about the "homely joys" that he has experienced, such as chopping wood and tending to the garden. The poet has found happiness in the simple things in life, and he cherishes the memories of these moments. The stanza is a celebration of the joys of living a simple life, away from the distractions of modern life.

The fourth stanza is a farewell to the cabin. The poet talks about the "parting tears" that he sheds as he leaves the cabin behind. He knows that he will miss the cabin and the memories associated with it. The stanza is a poignant reminder that everything in life is temporary, and we must cherish the moments we have.

The final stanza is a reflection on the meaning of life. The poet talks about the "eternal hills" and the "endless sky" that are a part of nature. He realizes that life is fleeting, and we must make the most of the time we have. The stanza is a reminder that nature is eternal, and we are just a small part of it.

The themes of the poem are nature, simplicity, and the fleeting nature of life. The poet celebrates the beauty of nature and the joys of living a simple life. He also reminds us that life is temporary, and we must cherish the moments we have. The poem is a reminder to slow down and appreciate the simple things in life.

The imagery used in the poem is rich and evocative. The poet uses vivid descriptions of nature to create a serene and idyllic setting. The imagery is a reflection of the poet's love for nature and his appreciation of its beauty.

The language used in the poem is simple and straightforward. The poet uses everyday language to convey his message. The simplicity of the language is a reflection of the poet's appreciation of the simple life.

In conclusion, "Good-Bye, Little Cabin" is a classic poem that celebrates the beauty of nature and the joys of living a simple life. The poem is a reminder to slow down and appreciate the simple things in life. The imagery and language used in the poem are a reflection of the poet's love for nature and his appreciation of its beauty. The poem is a timeless ode to the simple life, and it will continue to inspire generations to come.

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