War Song Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GHGHIJIJDJDJKLKMNDND CDCDOPOPQRQR NDNDNSNSFTFT DUDUHNHNN VVVV

In anguish we upliftA
A new unhallowed songB
The race is to the swiftA
The battle to the strongB
-
Of old it was ordainedC
That we in packs like cursD
Some thirty million trainedC
And licensed murderersD
-
In crime should live and actE
If cunning folk say soothF
Who flay the naked factE
And carve the heart of truthF
-
The rulers cry aloudG
We cannot cancel warH
The end and bloody shroudG
Of wrongs the worst abhorH
And order's swaddling bandI
Know that relentless strifeJ
Remains by sea and landI
The holiest law of lifeJ
From fear in every guiseD
From sloth from lust of pelfJ
By war's great sacrificeD
The world redeems itselfJ
War is the source the themeK
Of art the goal the bentL
And brilliant academeK
Of noble sentimentM
The augury the dawnN
Of golden times of graceD
The true catholiconN
And blood bath of the raceD
-
We thirty million trainedC
And licensed murderersD
Like zanies rigged and chainedC
By drill and scourge and curseD
In shackles of despairO
We know not how to breakP
What do we victims careO
For art what interest takeP
In things unseen unheardQ
Some diplomat no doubtR
Will launch a heedless wordQ
And lurking war leap outR
-
We spell bound armies thenN
Huge brutes in dumb distressD
Machines compact of menN
Who once had consciencesD
Must trample harvests downN
Vineyard and corn and oilS
Dismantle town by townN
Hamlet and homestead spoilS
On each appointed pathF
Till lust of havoc lightT
A blood red blaze of wrathF
In every frenzied sightT
-
In many a mountain passD
Or meadow green and freshU
Mass shall encounter massD
Of shuddering human fleshU
Opposing ordnance roarH
Across the swaths of slainN
And blood in torrents pourH
In vain always in vainN
For war breeds war againN
-
The shameful dream is pastV
The subtle maze untrodV
We recognise at lastV
That war is not of GodV

John Davidson



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