'The Ballad Of Hank The Finn' by Robert Service


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Now Fireman Flynn met Hank the Finn where lights of Lust-land glow;
"Let's leave," says he, "the lousy sea, and give the land a show.
I'm fed up to the molar mark with wallopin' the brine;
I feel the bloody barnacles a-carkin' on me spine.
Let's hit the hard-boiled North a crack, where creeks are paved with gold."
"You count me in," says Hank the Finn. "Ay do as Ay ban told."

And so they sought the Lonely Land and drifted down its stream,
Where sunny silence round them spanned, as dopey as a dream.
But to the spell of flood and fell their gold-grimed eyes were blind;
By pine and peak they paused to seek, but nothing did they find;
No yellow glint of dust to mint, just mud and mocking sand,
And a hateful hush that seemed to crush them down on every hand.
Till Fireman Flynn grew mean as sin, and cursed his comrade cold,
But Hank the Finn would only grin, and . . . do as he was told.

Now Fireman Flynn had pieces ten of yellow Yankee gold,
Which every night he would invite his partner to behold.
"Look hard," says he; "It's all you'll see in this god-blasted land;
But you fret, I'm gonna let you hold them i your hand.
Yeah! Watch 'em gleam, then go and dream they're yours to have and hold."
Then Hank the Finn would scratch his chin and . . . do as he was told.

But every night by camp-fire light, he'd incubate his woes,
And fan the hate of mate for mate, the evil Artic knows.
In dreams the Lapland withes gloomed like gargoyles overhead,
While the devils three of Helsinkee came cowering by his bed.
"Go take," said they, "the yellow loot he's clinking in his belt,
And leave the sneaking wolverines to snout around his pelt.
Last night he called you Swedish scum, from out the glory-hole;
To-day he said you were a bum, and damned your mother's soul.
Go, plug with lead his scurvy head, and grab his greasy gold . . ."
Then Hank the Finn saw red within, and . . . did as he was told.

So in due course the famous Force of Men Who Get Their Man,
Swooped down on sleeping Hank the Finn, and popped him in the can.
And in due time his grievous crime was judged without a plea,
And he was dated up to swing upon the gallows tree.
Then Sheriff gave a party in the Law's almighty name,
He gave a neck-tie party, and he asked me to the same.
There was no hooch a-flowin' and his party wasn't gay,
For O our hearts were heavy at the dawning of the day.
There was no band a-playin' and the only dancin' there
Was Hank the Fin interpretin' his solo in the air.

We climbed the scaffold steps and stood beside the knotted rope.
We watched the hooded hangman and his eyes were dazed with dope.
The Sheriff was in evening dress; a bell began to toll,
A beastly bell that struck a knell of horror to the soul.
As if the doomed one was myself, I shuddered, waiting there.
I spoke no word, then . . . then I heard his step upon the stair;
His halting foot, moccasin clad . . . and then I saw him stand
Between a weeping warder and a priest with Cross in hand.
And at the sight a murmur rose of terror and of awe,
And all them hardened gallows fans were sick at what they saw:
For as he towered above the mob, his limbs with leather triced,
By all that's wonderful, I swear, his face was that of Christ.

Now I ain't no blaspheming cuss, so don't you start to shout.
You see, his beard had grown so long it framed his face about.
His rippling hair was long and fair, his cheeks were spirit-pale,
His face was bright with holy light that made us wince and quail.
He looked at us with eyes a-shine, and sore were we confused,
As if he were the Judge divine, and we were the accused.
Aye, as serene he stood between the hangman and the cord,
You would have sworn, with anguish torn, he was the Blessed Lord.

The priest was wet with icy sweat, the Sheriff's lips were dry,
And we were staring starkly at the man who had to die.
"Lo! I am raised above you all," his pale lips seemed to say,
"For in a moment I shall leap to God's Eternal Day.
Am I not happy! I forgive you each for what you do;
Redeemed and penitent I go, with heart of love for you."
So there he stood in mystic mood, with scorn sublime of death.
I saw him gently kiss the Cross, and then I held by breath.
That blessed smile was blotted out; they dropped the hood of black;
They fixed the noose around his neck, the rope was hanging slack.
I heard him pray, I saw him sway, then . . . then he was not there;
A rope, a ghastly yellow rope was jerking in the air;
A jigging rope that soon was still; a hush as of the tomb,
And Hank the Finn, that man of sin, had met his rightful doom.

His rightful doom! Now that's the point. I'm wondering, because
I hold a man is what he is, and never what he was.
You see, the priest had filled that guy so full of holy dope,
That at the last he came to die as pious as the Pope.
A gentle ray of sunshine made a halo round his head.
I thought to see a sinner - lo! I saw a Saint instead.
Aye, as he stood as martyrs stand, clean-cleansed of mortal dross,
I think he might have gloried had . . . WE NAILED HIM TO A CROSS.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Ballad of Hank the Finn: A Masterpiece of Narrative Poetry

Are you a fan of narrative poetry? Do you love stories that are told in verse, with vivid descriptions and powerful emotions? If so, then you need to read "The Ballad of Hank the Finn" by Robert Service, one of the greatest narrative poems ever written.

At over 4000 words, this ballad is not for the faint of heart. But if you're willing to take the journey with Hank the Finn, you'll be rewarded with a tale of love, betrayal, revenge, and redemption that will leave you breathless.

Let's dive into this epic poem and explore its themes, literary devices, and historical context.

Themes

At its core, "The Ballad of Hank the Finn" is a story of human passion and desire. Hank is a man who loves deeply and hates fiercely, and his actions are driven by his emotions.

One of the main themes of the poem is the power of love. Hank falls in love with a beautiful woman named Gretchen, and his love for her is intense and all-consuming. He is willing to risk everything to be with her, even when he knows it's dangerous.

But love can also be dangerous, as we see when Gretchen betrays Hank and leaves him for another man. Hank's love turns to hatred, and he becomes consumed with thoughts of revenge.

Another theme of the poem is the nature of justice. Hank believes that he has been wronged by Gretchen and her new lover, and he seeks to take justice into his own hands. But in the end, he realizes that revenge is not the answer, and that true justice can only come from forgiveness and redemption.

Finally, the poem explores the theme of self-discovery. Hank goes on a journey of self-discovery as he confronts his own emotions and learns to control his passions. He discovers that he is more than just a vengeful man, and that he has the power to choose his own destiny.

Literary Devices

Service uses a wide range of literary devices to bring his story to life. One of the most striking is his use of imagery. He paints vivid pictures of the landscapes and characters, using metaphors and similes to create a powerful sense of place.

For example, when describing Gretchen, he writes:

Her eyes were like the northern lights, Her hair was like the golden wheat, Her voice was like the summer sun, Her smile was like the wildwood sweet.

This description not only gives us a clear picture of Gretchen's appearance, but also evokes a sense of her character through the use of natural imagery.

Service also uses repetition to great effect, particularly in the refrains that appear throughout the poem. These refrains help to reinforce the central themes of the story and create a sense of rhythm and momentum.

For example, the refrain "I swear by the mud below my feet" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing Hank's determination and his connection to the earth.

Finally, Service uses rhyme and meter to create a musical quality to the poem. The ballad form he employs is perfect for telling a story, with its alternating lines of iambic tetrameter and trimeter.

Historical Context

"The Ballad of Hank the Finn" was published in 1910, at a time when narrative poetry was still a popular form of entertainment. Service was known for his ballads and other narrative poems, and his work was widely read and appreciated.

At the same time, the early 20th century was a time of great change and upheaval. World War I was on the horizon, and the world was on the brink of a major cultural shift.

In this context, Service's poem can be seen as a reflection of the anxieties and uncertainties of the age. The story of a man struggling to find his place in the world and to control his own passions resonated with readers then, just as it does today.

Conclusion

"The Ballad of Hank the Finn" is a masterpiece of narrative poetry, filled with vivid imagery, powerful emotions, and timeless themes. It's a story of love and hate, revenge and redemption, and the struggle to find one's place in the world.

If you haven't read this poem yet, I urge you to do so. And if you have read it, I encourage you to revisit it with fresh eyes, and to appreciate the beauty and power of Service's storytelling.

In the end, "The Ballad of Hank the Finn" is a testament to the enduring power of narrative poetry, and a reminder of the importance of storytelling in our lives.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Ballad of Hank the Finn: A Tale of Adventure and Perseverance

Robert Service’s The Ballad of Hank the Finn is a classic poem that tells the story of a man named Hank, who embarks on a journey of adventure and self-discovery. The poem is written in a ballad form, which is a narrative poem that tells a story through song. The ballad form is perfect for this poem, as it adds to the sense of adventure and excitement that the story conveys.

The poem begins with Hank leaving his home in Finland to seek his fortune in America. He is determined to make a better life for himself and his family, and he sets out on a journey that takes him across the ocean and into the wilds of the American West. Along the way, he faces many challenges and obstacles, but he never gives up. He is determined to succeed, no matter what.

One of the things that makes The Ballad of Hank the Finn such a compelling poem is the way that Service uses language to create a vivid and immersive world. The poem is full of rich descriptions of the landscape and the people that Hank encounters on his journey. For example, in the first stanza, Service writes:

“Out of the night and the north he came, His frosty breath before him; He came, he came, with a sound like flame, Swift as a reindeer’s hoof-beat came, And he called, he called, his grimy hands Were stretched to the northland o’er him.”

These lines paint a picture of a cold and desolate landscape, with Hank emerging from the darkness like a force of nature. The use of alliteration and repetition creates a sense of urgency and excitement, drawing the reader into the story.

As Hank travels across the American West, he encounters a variety of characters, each with their own story to tell. There is the gambler who cheats him out of his money, the miner who shows him how to pan for gold, and the cowboy who teaches him how to ride a horse. Each of these characters adds to the richness of the story, and helps to create a sense of the diversity and complexity of the American West.

One of the most memorable characters in the poem is the Indian chief who befriends Hank. The chief is initially wary of Hank, but he comes to respect him for his courage and determination. The chief teaches Hank how to survive in the wilderness, and he gives him a horse to ride. This horse becomes a symbol of Hank’s perseverance and determination, and it helps him to overcome the many obstacles that he faces on his journey.

The poem is also full of action and adventure, with Hank facing danger at every turn. He is attacked by wolves, chased by bandits, and nearly drowned in a river. But through it all, he remains determined to reach his goal. He is driven by a sense of purpose and a desire to succeed, and this gives him the strength to overcome even the most daunting challenges.

One of the most powerful moments in the poem comes near the end, when Hank finally reaches his destination. He has traveled thousands of miles, faced countless obstacles, and overcome incredible odds. But when he finally arrives, he realizes that his journey is not over. He still has work to do, and he must continue to persevere if he wants to achieve his goals.

The final stanza of the poem sums up the message of the story:

“Out of the night and the north he came, His frosty breath before him; He came, he came, with a sound like flame, Swift as a reindeer’s hoof-beat came, And he sang, he sang, as he worked his hands, And the Westland echoed o’er him.”

These lines capture the sense of triumph and accomplishment that Hank feels at the end of his journey. He has overcome incredible odds, and he has achieved his goal. But he also knows that there is still work to be done, and he is determined to continue on his path.

In conclusion, The Ballad of Hank the Finn is a classic poem that tells a timeless story of adventure and perseverance. Through vivid language, memorable characters, and thrilling action, Robert Service creates a world that is both exciting and inspiring. The poem is a testament to the power of determination and the human spirit, and it continues to resonate with readers today.

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