Bill's Grave Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABAB BCBC BDBD EDED FBFB GDGD HEHG EIEI BDBD| I'm gatherin' flowers by the wayside to lay on the grave of Bill | A |
| I've sneaked away from the billet 'cause Jim wouldn't understand | B |
| 'E'd call me a silly fat'ead and larf till it made 'im ill | A |
| To see me 'ere in the cornfield wiv a big bookay in me 'and | B |
| - | |
| For Jim and me we are rough uns but Bill was one o' the best | B |
| We 'listed and learned together to larf at the wust wot comes | C |
| Then Bill copped a packet proper and took 'is departure West | B |
| So sudden 'e 'adn't a minit to say good bye to 'is chums | C |
| - | |
| And they took me to where 'e was planted a sort of a measly mound | B |
| And thinks I 'ow Bill would be tickled bein' so soft and queer | D |
| If I gathered a bunch o' them wild flowers and sort of arranged them round | B |
| Like a kind of a bloody headpiece and that's the reason I'm 'ere | D |
| - | |
| But not for the love of glory I wouldn't 'ave Jim to know | E |
| 'E'd call me a slobberin' Cissy and larf till 'is sides was sore | D |
| I'd 'ave larfed at meself too it isn't so long ago | E |
| But some'ow it changes a feller 'avin' a taste o' war | D |
| - | |
| It 'elps a man to be 'elpful to know wot 'is pals is worth | F |
| Them golden poppies is blazin' like lamps some fairy 'as lit | B |
| I'm fond o' them big white dysies Now Jim's o' the salt o' the earth | F |
| But 'e 'as got a tongue wot's a terror and 'e ain't sentimental a bit | B |
| - | |
| I likes them blue chaps wot's 'idin' so shylike among the corn | G |
| Won't Bill be glad We was allus thicker 'n thieves us three | D |
| Why 'Oo's that singin' so 'earty JIM And as sure as I'm born | G |
| 'E's there in the giddy cornfields a gatherin' flowers like me | D |
| - | |
| Quick Drop me posy be'ind me I watches 'im for a while | H |
| Then I says Wot 'o there Chummy Wot price the little bookay | E |
| And 'e starts like a bloke wot's guilty and 'e says with a sheepish smile | H |
| She's a bit of orl right the widder wot keeps the estaminay | G |
| - | |
| So 'e goes away in a 'urry and I wishes 'im best o' luck | E |
| And I picks up me bunch o' wild flowers and the light's gettin' sorto dim | I |
| When I makes me way to the boneyard and I stares like a man wot's stuck | E |
| For wot do I see Bill's grave mound strewn with the flowers of Jim | I |
| - | |
| Of course I won't never tell 'im bein' a tactical lad | B |
| And Jim parley voos to the widder Trez beans lamoor compree | D |
| Oh 'e'd die of shame if 'e knew I knew but say won't Bill be glad | B |
| When 'e stares through the bleedin' clods and sees the blossoms of Jim and me | D |
Robert Service
(1)
Poem topics: , Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme
Submit Spanish Translation
Submit German Translation
Submit French Translation
About Bill's Grave
Bill's Grave is a poem by Robert Service. This page includes the poem text, poet information, related topics, comments, and similar poems.
Write your comment about Bill's Grave poem by Robert Service
Best Poems of Robert Service