The Booby-trap Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABAB ACAC DEDE FGFH IJIJ GAGA KGKG L MNMN| I'm crawlin' out in the mangolds to bury wot's left o' Joe | A |
| Joe my pal and a good un God 'ow it rains and rains | B |
| I'm sick o' seein' him lyin' like a 'eap o' offal and so | A |
| I'm crawlin' out in the beet field to bury 'is last remains | B |
| - | |
| 'E might 'a bin makin' munitions 'e 'adn't no need to go | A |
| An' I tells 'im strite but 'e arnsers 'Tain't no use chewin' the fat | C |
| I've got to be doin' me dooty wiv the rest o' the boys an' so | A |
| Yon's 'im yon blob on the beet field wot I'm tryin' so 'ard to git at | C |
| - | |
| There was five of us lads from the brickyard 'Enry was gassed at Bapome | D |
| Sydney was drowned in a crater 'Erbert was 'alved by a shell | E |
| Joe was the pick o' the posy might 'a bin sifely at 'ome | D |
| Only son of 'is mother 'er a widder as well | E |
| - | |
| She used to sell bobbins and buttons 'ad a plice near the Waterloo Road | F |
| A little old bent over lydy wiv glasses an' silvery 'air | G |
| Must tell 'er I planted 'im nicely cheer 'er up like Well I'm blowed | F |
| That bullet near catched me a biffer I'll see the old gel if I'm spared | H |
| - | |
| She'll tike it to 'eart pore ol' lydy fer 'e was 'er 'ope and 'er joy | I |
| 'Is dad used to drink like a knot 'ole she kept the 'ome goin' she did | J |
| She pinched and she scriped fer 'is scoolin' 'e was sich a fine 'andsome boy | I |
| 'Alf Flanders seems packed on me panties 'e's 'andsome no longer pore kid | J |
| - | |
| This bit o' a board that I'm packin' and draggin' around in the mire | G |
| I was tickled to death when I found it Says I 'Ere's a nice little glow | A |
| I was chilled and wet through to the marrer so I started to make me a fire | G |
| And then I says No 'ere Goblimy it'll do for a cross for Joe | A |
| - | |
| Well 'ere 'e is Gawd 'Ow one chinges a lyin' six weeks in the rain | K |
| Joe me old pal 'ow I'm sorry so 'elp me I wish I could pray | G |
| An' now I 'ad best get a diggin' 'is grave it seems more like a drain | K |
| And I 'opes that the Boches won't git me till I gits 'im safe planted away | G |
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| As he touches the body there is a tremendous explosion He falls back shattered | L |
| - | |
| A booby trap Ought to 'a known it If that's not a bastardly trick | M |
| Well one thing I won't be long goin' Gawd I'm a 'ell of a sight | N |
| Wish I'd died fightin' and killin' that's wot it is makes me sick | M |
| Ah Joe we'll be pushin' up dysies together old Chummie good night | N |
Robert William Service
(1)
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