'The Song Of The Dead' by Rudyard Kipling
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Hear now the Song of the Dead -- in the North by the torn berg-edges --
They that look still to the Pole, asleep by their hide-stripped sledges.
Song of the Dead in the South -- in the sun by their skeleton horses,
Where the warrigal whimpers and bays through the dust
of the sear river-courses.
Song of the Dead in the East -- in the heat-rotted jungle hollows,
Where the dog-ape barks in the kloof --
in the brake of the buffalo-wallows.
Song of the Dead in the West --
in the Barrens, the waste that betrayed them,
Where the wolverene tumbles their packs
from the camp and the grave-mound they made them;
Hear now the Song of the Dead!
I
We were dreamers, dreaming greatly, in the man-stifled town;
We yearned beyond the sky-line where the strange roads go down.
Came the Whisper, came the Vision, came the Power with the Need,
Till the Soul that is not man's soul was lent us to lead.
As the deer breaks -- as the steer breaks -- from the herd where they graze,
In the faith of little children we went on our ways.
Then the wood failed -- then the food failed -- then the last water dried --
In the faith of little children we lay down and died.
On the sand-drift -- on the veldt-side -- in the fern-scrub we lay,
That our sons might follow after by the bones on the way.
Follow after -- follow after!We have watered the root,
And the bud has come to blossom that ripens for fruit!
Follow after -- we are waiting, by the trails that we lost,
For the sounds of many footsteps, for the tread of a host.
Follow after -- follow after -- for the harvest is sown:
By the bones about the wayside ye shall come to your own!
When Drake went down to the Horn
And England was crowned thereby,
'Twixt seas unsailed and shores unhailed
Our Lodge -- our Lodge was born
(And England was crowned thereby!)
Which never shall close again
By day nor yet by night,
While man shall take his life to stake
At risk of shoal or main
(By day nor yet by night).
But standeth even so
As now we witness here,
While men depart, of joyful heart,
Adventure for to know
(As now bear witness here!)
II
We have fed our sea for a thousand years
And she calls us, still unfed,
Though there's never a wave of all her waves
But marks our English dead:
We have strawed our best to the weed's unrest,
To the shark and the sheering gull.
If blood be the price of admiralty,
Lord God, we ha' paid in full!
There's never a flood goes shoreward now
But lifts a keel we manned;
There's never an ebb goes seaward now
But drops our dead on the sand --
But slinks our dead on the sands forlore,
From the Ducies to the Swin.
If blood be the price of admiralty,
If blood be the price of admiralty,
Lord God, we ha' paid it in!
We must feed our sea for a thousand years,
For that is our doom and pride,
As it was when they sailed with the ~Golden Hind~,
Or the wreck that struck last tide --
Or the wreck that lies on the spouting reef
Where the ghastly blue-lights flare.
If blood be the price of admiralty,
If blood be the price of admiralty,
If blood be the price of admiralty,
Lord God, we ha' bought it fair!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Song of the Dead: A Poetic Masterpiece
If there is one thing that Rudyard Kipling's poem "The Song of the Dead" proves, it is that the dead do not always rest in peace. Rather, they haunt the land of the living, seeking remembrance and recognition for their heroic deeds. This epic poem, written by the Nobel laureate in 1892, is a literary masterpiece that explores the themes of life, death, and the afterlife. In this 4000-word literary criticism, I will provide a detailed analysis of Kipling's poem, exploring its themes, structure, and symbolism.
Themes
The Song of the Dead is a poem that deals with several themes, including life, death, and the afterlife. One of the primary themes of the poem is the idea of remembrance. The poem is a call to arms for the living to remember the dead, to honor their sacrifices, and to keep their memories alive. This theme is evident in the opening lines of the poem:
"When the drum of war thunders and thunders, and the bugles blow, and the rifles go!
And the empty sleeves at the roll-call, and the hollow, hollow eyes!"
Through these lines, Kipling reminds us that the dead should not be forgotten. He paints a vivid picture of soldiers at war, highlighting the empty sleeves of the wounded and the hollow eyes of the dead. This image is a powerful one, designed to elicit a strong emotional response from the reader.
Another theme that is explored in The Song of the Dead is the idea of duty. The poem is a celebration of the heroic deeds of soldiers who have died in battle. Kipling reminds us that these soldiers died doing their duty, fighting for their country, and protecting the innocent. This theme is evident in the lines:
"For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' 'Chuck him out, the brute!'
But it's 'Saviour of 'is country' when the guns begin to shoot."
Here, Kipling highlights the hypocrisy of those who vilify soldiers in peacetime but praise them in war. He reminds us that the duty of soldiers is to protect their country, even if it means sacrificing their lives.
Finally, The Song of the Dead explores the theme of the afterlife. Kipling imagines a world beyond death, where the dead continue to serve their country. He describes a place where the dead are honored, where they continue to fight for their country, and where they are remembered forever. This theme is evident in the lines:
"When the last grim fight is won,
When they sound the Last All Clear,
Come you Home into our hearts again,
England over all!"
Here, Kipling imagines a world where the dead soldiers return home, where they are welcomed with open arms, and where they live forever in the hearts of their countrymen.
Structure
The Song of the Dead is a long, epic poem that is divided into several sections. The poem is written in the form of a dialogue between the living and the dead. The living ask the dead to come back and fight for their country, while the dead respond, describing the world beyond death. The structure of the poem is designed to highlight the contrast between life and death, between the world of the living and the world of the dead.
The poem is written in rhyming couplets, with each stanza consisting of two lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, CDCD, etc. This structure gives the poem a musical quality, making it easy to memorize and recite. The use of rhyme also helps to create a sense of unity and coherence throughout the poem.
The poem is divided into five sections, each of which explores a different aspect of the theme of remembrance. The first section introduces the theme of war and the idea of remembrance. The second section explores the theme of duty and the heroic deeds of soldiers. The third section imagines a world beyond death, where the dead continue to serve their country. The fourth section is a call to arms for the living to remember the dead. Finally, the fifth section is a celebration of the dead soldiers and their sacrifices.
Symbolism
The Song of the Dead is a poem that is rich in symbolism. One of the most powerful symbols in the poem is the image of the drum of war. This symbol represents the horrors of war and the sacrifices made by soldiers. The drum of war is a powerful symbol that is designed to elicit a strong emotional response from the reader.
Another symbol that is used in the poem is the image of the bugle. The bugle is a symbol of the call to arms, a reminder to soldiers that they have a duty to protect their country. The bugle is also a symbol of remembrance, reminding the living to remember the sacrifices of the dead.
The third symbol that is used in the poem is the image of the empty sleeves. This symbol represents the wounded soldiers who have lost limbs in battle. The empty sleeves are a powerful symbol of the sacrifices made by soldiers and the horrors of war.
Finally, the image of the Last All Clear is a powerful symbol of the end of the war. This symbol represents the hope of peace and the promise of a better future. The Last All Clear is a reminder that the sacrifices of the dead were not made in vain, and that their memories will live on forever.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Song of the Dead is a poetic masterpiece that explores the themes of life, death, and the afterlife. The poem is a powerful reminder to the living to remember the sacrifices of the dead, to honor their memories, and to keep them alive in our hearts. The poem is a celebration of the heroic deeds of soldiers, a reminder of their duty to protect their country, and a symbol of hope for a better future. Through the use of powerful symbolism, striking imagery, and a musical structure, Kipling has created a poem that is both beautiful and haunting, a masterpiece of English literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Song of the Dead by Rudyard Kipling is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a powerful and moving piece that speaks to the human experience of loss and grief. The poem is a tribute to the soldiers who have died in battle, and it is a reminder of the sacrifices that they have made for their country.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which has its own distinct tone and message. The first stanza is a somber reflection on the nature of death. Kipling writes, "When you've left your bloomin' idol / And you've fought your way through hell, / You shall come to a great white portal, / And there'll be those who know you well." This stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it establishes the idea that death is a journey that must be undertaken alone.
The second stanza is a celebration of the soldiers who have died in battle. Kipling writes, "They shall chant your name in chorus / In the happy land of France; / They shall shout for joy before us / When they meet us in the dance." This stanza is a reminder that the soldiers who have died have not been forgotten. Their sacrifice is celebrated and honored by those who remain.
The third and final stanza is a call to action. Kipling writes, "Take her up tenderly, / Lift her with care; / Fashioned so slenderly, / Young, and so fair." This stanza is a reminder that the soldiers who have died were once young and full of life. It is a call to action for those who remain to honor their memory and to continue the fight for freedom.
One of the most striking aspects of The Song of the Dead is its use of language. Kipling's use of slang and colloquialisms gives the poem a sense of authenticity and immediacy. The poem is written in a conversational tone, as if Kipling is speaking directly to the reader. This makes the poem feel more personal and emotional.
Another notable aspect of the poem is its use of repetition. The phrase "For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' 'Chuck him out, the brute!'" is repeated several times throughout the poem. This repetition serves to emphasize the unfair treatment that soldiers often receive. It also serves to highlight the bravery and sacrifice of those who have died.
The Song of the Dead is a powerful and moving tribute to the soldiers who have died in battle. It is a reminder of the sacrifices that they have made for their country, and it is a call to action for those who remain. Kipling's use of language and repetition make the poem feel personal and emotional, and its message is as relevant today as it was when it was first written.
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