Robert Nichols
Downward slopes the wild red sun.
We lie around a waiting gun;
Soon we shall load and fire and load.
But, hark! a sound beats down the road.
“‘Ello! wot’s up?” “Let’s ‘ave a look!”
“Come on, Ginger, drop that book!”
“Wot an ‘ell of bloody noise!”
“It’s the Yorks and Lancs, meboys!”
So we crowd: hear, watch them come—
One man drubbing on a drum,
A crazy, high mouth-organ blowing,
Tin cans rattling, cat-calls, crowing….
And above their rhythmic feet
A whirl of shrilling loud and sweet,
Round mouths whistling in unison;
Shouts: “‘O’s goin’ to out the ‘Un?
“Back us up, mates!” “Gawd, we will!”
“‘Eave them shells at Kaiser Bill!”
“Art from Lancashire, melad?”
“Gi’ ‘en a cheer, boys; make ‘en glad.”
“‘Ip ‘urrah!” “Give Fritz the chuck.”
“Good ol’ bloody Yorks!” “Good-luck!”
“Cheer!”
I cannot cheer or speak
Lest my voice, my heart must break.
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Analysis (AI Assisted)
This war poem captures a fleeting moment of camaraderie and the chaos of war. The poem opens with a sense of anticipation, as soldiers wait around a gun, preparing for what seems like the inevitable task of firing. The “wild red sun” setting could symbolize the violence and intensity of the day, hinting at the violence that lies ahead.
However, the mood shifts abruptly when a group of soldiers from another regiment—the Yorks and Lancs—arrive. Their arrival brings a contrast of noise and energy, which is described with an almost chaotic sense of liveliness. The drum, mouth-organ, and tin cans create an almost carnival-like atmosphere, and the soldiers’ loud, shrill shouts serve as a momentary distraction from the grimness of their situation. Their words, full of bravado and mockery, are directed at their enemies and serve to momentarily uplift the group.
But despite the excitement and enthusiasm of the Yorks and Lancs, the speaker is unable to join in the revelry. The final line, “I cannot cheer or speak / Lest my voice, my heart must break,” suggests a deep internal conflict. While others can still find moments of joy and energy amidst the horror, the speaker feels disconnected and emotionally drained. This inner turmoil contrasts with the external noise, highlighting the isolating effects of war on the individual soldier.
The imagery of the “wild red sun” and the sounds of the soldiers provide a stark portrayal of the brutal and often absurd nature of war. The bright colors and noise of the marching soldiers are juxtaposed with the emotional desolation felt by the speaker. Their boisterousness serves as a coping mechanism, a way to survive the horrors of the battlefield, but it only deepens the speaker’s sense of disconnection and sadness.
Ultimately, this poem speaks to the tension between the outward display of courage and energy in the face of war and the internal collapse of the individual soldier. The inability to cheer or speak, despite the call for unity and support, reveals the deep emotional cost of war and the isolation that can come from it. The lively scene contrasts sharply with the speaker’s inner pain, offering a poignant commentary on the disconnect between public morale and personal suffering.