The Red Retreat Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABABCDCD CECEFGFG HCHCHIHI HJHJKJKJ FFFFHJHJ LFLFCCCC HMHMCFCF| Tramp tramp the grim road the road from Mons to Wipers | A |
| I've 'ammered out this ditty with me bruised and bleedin' feet | B |
| Tramp tramp the dim road we didn't 'ave no pipers | A |
| And bellies that was 'oller was the drums we 'ad to beat | B |
| Tramp tramp the bad road the bits o' kiddies cryin' there | C |
| The fell birds a flyin' there the 'ouses all aflame | D |
| Tramp tramp the sad road the pals I left a lyin' there | C |
| Red there and dead there Oh blimy it's a shame | D |
| - | |
| A singin' 'Oo's Yer Lady Friend we started out from 'Arver | C |
| A singin' till our froats was dry we didn't care a 'ang | E |
| The Frenchies 'ow they lined the way and slung us their palaver | C |
| And all we knowed to arnser was the one word vang | E |
| They gave us booze and caporal and cheered for us like crazy | F |
| And all the pretty gels was out to kiss us as we passed | G |
| And 'ow they all went dotty when we 'owled the Marcelaisey | F |
| Oh Gawd Them was the 'appy days the days too good to last | G |
| - | |
| We started out for God Knows Where we started out a roarin' | H |
| We 'ollered 'Ere We Are Again and 'struth but we was dry | C |
| The dust was gummin' up our ears and 'ow the sweat was pourin' | H |
| The road was long the sun was like a brazier in the sky | C |
| We wondered where the 'Uns was we wasn't long a wonderin' | H |
| For down a scruff of 'ill side they rushes like a flood | I |
| Then oh 'twas music 'eavenly our batteries a thunderin' | H |
| And arms and legs went soarin' in the fountain of their blood | I |
| - | |
| For on they came like bee swarms a hochin' and a singin' | H |
| We pumped the bullets into 'em we couldn't miss a shot | J |
| But though we mowed 'em down like grass like grass was they a springin' | H |
| And all our 'ands was blistered for our rifles was so 'ot | J |
| We roared with battle fury and we lammed the stuffin' out of 'em | K |
| And then we fixed our bay'nets and we spitted 'em like meat | J |
| You should 'ave 'eard the beggars squeal you should 'ave seen the rout of 'em | K |
| And 'ow we cussed and wondered when the word came Retreat | J |
| - | |
| Retreat That was the 'ell of it It fair upset our 'abits | F |
| A runnin' from them blighters over 'alf the roads of France | F |
| A scurryin' before 'em like a lot of blurry rabbits | F |
| And knowin' we could smash 'em if we just 'ad 'alf a chance | F |
| Retreat That was the bitter bit a limpin' and a blunderin' | H |
| All day and night a hoofin' it and sleepin' on our feet | J |
| A fightin' rear guard actions for a bit o' rest and wonderin' | H |
| If sugar beets or mangels was the 'olesomest to eat | J |
| - | |
| Ho yus there isn't many left that started out so cheerily | L |
| There was no bands a playin' and we 'ad no autmobeels | F |
| Our tummies they was 'oller and our 'eads was 'angin' wearily | L |
| And if we stopped to light a fag the 'Uns was on our 'eels | F |
| That rotten road I can't forget the kids and mothers flyin' there | C |
| The bits of barns a blazin' and the 'orrid sights I sor | C |
| The stiffs that lined the wayside me own pals a lyin' there | C |
| Their faces covered over wiv a little 'eap of stror | C |
| - | |
| Tramp tramp the red road the wicked bullets 'ummin' | H |
| I've panted out this ditty with me 'ot 'ard breath | M |
| Tramp tramp the dread road the Boches all a comin' | H |
| The lootin' and the shootin' and the shrieks o' death | M |
| Tramp tramp the fell road the mad 'orde pursuin' there | C |
| And 'ow we 'urled it back again them grim grey waves | F |
| Tramp tramp the 'ell road the 'orror and the ruin there | C |
| The graves of me mateys there the grim sour graves | F |
Robert Service
(1)
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