'Old Crony' by Robert Service
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I had a friend, a breezy friend
I liked an awful lot;
And in his company no end
Of happiness I got.
We clicked in temper, taste and mood,
We gypsied side by side,--
And then, as no pal ever should,
He upped and died.
A score of years have since gone by,
Yet I bemoan him still;
He used to call me Bob and I
Was wont to call him Bill.
Oh how I wish that he were here,
How we would bravely walk
On heather hills to tavern cheer,
And talk and talk!
If as he always used to do,
He'd just drop in to tea,
To rest awhile and jest awhile,
How chirpy I would be!
Then he would puff his pipe of briar
And I my cigarette,
And we would yarn beside the fire,
And time forget.
Old Pal, come back a little while,
If just to let me say
How much I miss your jolly smile
Now you have gone away.
Ah, when in life's allotted span
We near our journey's end,
What greater treasure is there than
A Golden Friend!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Old Crony: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Robert Service is a well-known poet whose works have stood the test of time. His poems are characterized by vivid imagery, strong emotions, and memorable characters. One such poem is "Old Crony," a ballad that tells the story of a man who has been friends with his horse for many years. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, symbolism, and literary devices used in "Old Crony," and how they contribute to the overall meaning of the poem.
Themes
"Old Crony" explores several themes, including the bonds of friendship, the inevitability of change, and the passing of time. The central theme of the poem is the strong bond between the man and his horse. The man refers to his horse as his "old crony," a term usually used to describe a close friend. The bond between the two is so strong that the man considers his horse to be a better friend than any human could ever be.
The theme of the inevitability of change is also present in the poem. The man realizes that he and his horse are growing old and that their time together is coming to an end. He laments the fact that everything changes, and nothing stays the same forever. The passing of time is another theme that is explored in "Old Crony." The man reflects on the many years he has spent with his horse and realizes that he has grown old along with him.
Symbolism
Symbolism is an important aspect of "Old Crony." The horse is a symbol of the past, a remnant of a time when things were simpler and life was less complicated. The man's friendship with his horse represents his connection to the past and his reluctance to let go of it. The horse is also a symbol of loyalty and steadfastness. It has been with the man through thick and thin, and has never let him down.
The man's cabin is another important symbol in the poem. It represents the man's isolation from society and his retreat from the world. The cabin is a place where the man can be alone with his thoughts and memories, and where he can reflect on the passing of time.
Literary Devices
Robert Service uses several literary devices in "Old Crony" to enhance the theme and mood of the poem. One of these devices is repetition. The phrase "old crony" is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the strength of the bond between the man and his horse.
The use of imagery is also prominent in the poem. Service describes the horse in vivid detail, painting a picture of a loyal and steadfast animal. The imagery used in the poem helps to convey the emotions felt by the man, and the sense of loss that he experiences as he reflects on his past.
Service also uses rhyme and meter to give the poem a musical quality. The poem is written in ballad form, with a regular rhyme scheme and meter. This gives the poem a sing-song quality, and adds to the overall emotional impact of the poem.
Interpretation
"Old Crony" is a poem about the joys and sorrows of life, and the passing of time. The man's bond with his horse represents the importance of friendship and loyalty in a world that is constantly changing. The horse is a symbol of the past, and the man's reluctance to let go of it represents the struggle that many people face when confronting the inevitability of change.
The man's cabin represents his isolation from society and his retreat from the world. It is a place where he can be alone with his thoughts and memories, and where he can reflect on the passing of time. The cabin also represents the man's refusal to let go of the past, and his desire to hold onto his memories for as long as possible.
In conclusion, "Old Crony" is a powerful and emotional poem that explores the themes of friendship, loyalty, and the passing of time. Robert Service's use of symbolism, imagery, and literary devices enhances the theme and mood of the poem, and makes it a timeless classic that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Old Crony: A Poem of Nostalgia and Friendship
Robert Service, the renowned poet of the Yukon, wrote many poems that captured the spirit of the rugged and wild Canadian North. Among his works, Old Crony stands out as a touching tribute to a dear friend and a bygone era. In this 32-line poem, Service weaves a tale of two old-timers reminiscing about their youth and the adventures they shared. Through vivid imagery, poignant dialogue, and a bittersweet tone, the poem evokes a sense of nostalgia, regret, and gratitude for the fleeting moments of life.
The poem begins with a description of the setting: a cabin in the woods, where two old men sit by the fire, smoking their pipes and sipping their tea. The first stanza sets the mood with its opening line: "We've been friends for years and years." This simple statement implies a deep bond between the two men, one that has withstood the test of time and distance. The speaker, who is also the narrator, addresses his friend as "Old Crony," a term of endearment that suggests familiarity, affection, and respect. The use of the word "old" twice in the first line emphasizes the age and experience of the characters, and prepares the reader for a tale of reminiscence.
In the second stanza, the speaker describes the physical appearance of Old Crony, who is "wrinkled and grey and grim." The use of alliteration and consonance in this line creates a sense of harshness and austerity, which contrasts with the warmth and comfort of the cabin. The speaker then asks his friend to "tell me a tale of the good old times," which sets the stage for the main theme of the poem: the nostalgia for the past. The use of the phrase "good old times" is ironic, as it implies a rose-tinted view of the past, while the rest of the poem suggests a more nuanced and melancholic perspective.
In the third stanza, Old Crony begins his tale, which is about a hunting trip they took together in their youth. The use of dialogue in this stanza and throughout the poem adds a sense of immediacy and authenticity to the narrative. The reader can almost hear the old men's voices, with their accents and intonations, as they relive their memories. The hunting trip is described in vivid detail, with references to the "crackling frost" and the "silver stars." The use of sensory imagery creates a sense of immersion and realism, as if the reader were there with the characters. The stanza ends with the line "Ah, lad, those were the days," which encapsulates the main sentiment of the poem: the longing for the past.
In the fourth stanza, the speaker reflects on the passing of time and the changes it brings. He describes how the forest they hunted in has been cut down, and how the animals they hunted have disappeared. The use of the phrase "the march of progress" implies a sense of inevitability and loss, as if the characters were powerless to stop the forces of modernization and urbanization. The speaker then asks Old Crony if he regrets not having done more with his life, which introduces a new theme: regret. The use of the word "wasted" in the line "Have we wasted our lives, Old Crony?" suggests a sense of disappointment and self-doubt.
In the fifth stanza, Old Crony responds to the speaker's question with a wise and philosophical statement: "We've lived our lives, lad, as best we could." This line encapsulates the main message of the poem: that life is fleeting and unpredictable, and that one should cherish the moments one has. The use of the word "lad" in this line reinforces the sense of mentorship and guidance that Old Crony provides to the speaker. The stanza ends with the line "And that's all there is to it," which suggests a sense of acceptance and resignation.
In the sixth and final stanza, the speaker reflects on the friendship between him and Old Crony, and how it has endured despite the passage of time. He describes how they have shared "the good and the bad, the happy and the sad," which suggests a sense of camaraderie and mutual support. The use of the phrase "the end of the trail" implies a sense of finality and closure, as if the characters were approaching the end of their lives. The poem ends with the line "And I'm glad, Old Crony, I'm glad," which expresses a sense of gratitude and appreciation for the friendship and the memories they have shared.
In conclusion, Old Crony is a poignant and evocative poem that captures the essence of nostalgia, regret, and gratitude. Through vivid imagery, poignant dialogue, and a bittersweet tone, the poem tells a tale of two old-timers reminiscing about their youth and the adventures they shared. The poem's main message is that life is fleeting and unpredictable, and that one should cherish the moments one has. The poem also celebrates the power of friendship and the enduring bonds that can withstand the test of time. As such, Old Crony is a timeless classic that speaks to the human condition and the universal themes of love, loss, and memory.
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