Jessie Pope
Dr-rud dr-rud dr-rud dr-rud
Kitchener’s Army on the march
Through Marylebone and Marble Arch,
Men in motley, so to speak,
Been in training about a week,
Swinging easy, toe and heel,
Game and gay, and keen as steel.
Dr-rud dr-rud dr-rud dr-rud
Norfolk jackets, city suits,
Some in shoes and some in boots;
Clerk and sportsman, tough and nut,
Reach-me-downs and Bond-Street cut;
Typical kit of every kind,
To show the life they’ve left behind.
Dr-rud dr-rud dr-rud dr-rud
Marching by at an easy pace,
The great adventure in every face.
Raw if you like, but full of grit,
Snatching the chance to do their bit.
Oh, I want to cheer and I want to cry
When Kitchener’s Boys go marching by.
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Analysis (AI Assisted)
This poem captures the spirit of Kitchener’s Army during World War I, particularly the volunteers who enlisted in response to the call for soldiers. Through rhythmic and repetitive lines, the poem paints a vivid picture of men from all walks of life coming together to march off to war, embodying both their individual backgrounds and the collective energy of the army.
The opening stanzas of the poem establish a lively, almost musical atmosphere with the repeated onomatopoeic “Dr-rud dr-rud dr-rud dr-rud,” mimicking the sound of marching feet. This rhythmic device serves not only to reinforce the marching motion but also to create a sense of unity and determination. The men, despite their differences, are shown moving together as one, each step in sync with the others. The sound becomes a metaphor for the strength and resolve that they share, regardless of their individual backgrounds.
The first stanza introduces the men of Kitchener’s Army, describing them as “men in motley” who have been in training for about a week. The phrase “men in motley” highlights the mix of social classes and professions among the recruits. “Motley” suggests a colorful and varied collection, and it’s a fitting description for the army made up of clerks, sportsmen, and others who would never normally have been in such a uniformed group. The contrast between their varied appearances—”some in shoes and some in boots”—and the mention of “Norfolk jackets” or “Bond-Street cut” reflects the diverse backgrounds of the men. These men have left behind their previous lives, whether in office jobs or leisure pursuits, and are now marching together towards a common goal. The phrase “Game and gay, and keen as steel” emphasizes their enthusiasm, confidence, and readiness for the challenge ahead. “Game” here suggests courage, “gay” energy, and “keen as steel” indicates their sharpness and resolve.
In the second stanza, the poet highlights the varied clothing of the recruits—”Norfolk jackets, city suits”—suggesting a mix of the upper, middle, and working classes. This further underscores the theme of unity in diversity. The men have left behind their comfortable, familiar lives, symbolized by their clothes, in order to take part in the greater cause. The lines “Typical kit of every kind, / To show the life they’ve left behind” suggest that these men, though coming from different walks of life, share a common purpose now, even if they still bear traces of their previous identities. The use of “reach-me-downs” and “Bond-Street cut” playfully contrasts the humble with the elite, underscoring the social range within the army, but also illustrating that all these men have been united in the pursuit of war.
The final stanza moves into a more emotional tone, celebrating the spirit of the men as they march by, their faces full of “the great adventure.” Though many may be “raw” or inexperienced, they are still full of grit and eager to “do their bit” for the country. There’s a certain tenderness in the narrator’s reaction—“Oh, I want to cheer and I want to cry”—capturing the complex emotions felt by those who saw these young men marching off. The dual impulse to cheer and cry speaks to the mix of pride, hope, and sorrow that accompanied the departure of Kitchener’s army volunteers. These young men, embodying both innocence and courage, are marching toward an uncertain future, and the narrator’s emotional reaction suggests the weight of that uncertainty.
The poem is both a celebration of the spirit of these volunteers and a poignant reminder of the sacrifice they were about to make. The collective energy and enthusiasm they possess in the early stages of their journey contrasts with the eventual realities they would face. The phrase “Kitchener’s Boys” brings a sense of innocence, youth, and patriotism, as they embark on what is undoubtedly a significant and daunting journey. The final line, “Oh, I want to cheer and I want to cry,” leaves the reader with a lingering sense of the bittersweet nature of war—pride in the men’s courage, but sadness for what they will endure.
The overall tone of the poem blends pride with a hint of melancholy, capturing the idealism of the volunteers and their readiness to sacrifice for their country. The sense of camaraderie and shared purpose, alongside the individual diversity of the recruits, paints a vivid and emotional picture of this moment in history. The rhythm and repetition give the poem a sense of forward movement, not just in the physical march but also in the emotional journey these men are undertaking—one full of hope, but tinged with the knowledge of the hardship to come.