A Soldier's Reprieve Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABB CD B EFB GGHH IIB CCBB BBFF JJKK BBLL BBM NNAA EO B BB PQR SSB| 'Twas in the United States of America some years ago | A |
| An aged father sat at his fireside with his heart full of woe | A |
| And talking to his neighbour Mr Allan about his boy Bennie | B |
| That was to be shot because found asleep doing sentinel duty | B |
| - | |
| 'Inside of twenty four hours the telegram said | C |
| And oh Mr Allan he's dead I am afraid | D |
| Where is my brave Bennie now to me is a mystery ' | - |
| 'We will hope with his heavenly Father ' said Mr Allen soothingly | B |
| - | |
| 'Yes let us hope God is very merciful ' said Mr Allan | E |
| 'Yes yes ' said Bennie's father 'my Bennie was a good man | F |
| He said 'Father I'll go and fight for my country | B |
| Go then Bennie ' I said 'and God be with ye ' ' | - |
| - | |
| Little Blossom Bennie's sister sat listening with a blanched cheek | G |
| Poor soul but she didn't speak | G |
| Until a gentle tap was heard at the kitchen door | H |
| Then she arose quickly and tripped across the floor | H |
| - | |
| And opening the door she received a letter from a neighbour's hand | I |
| And as she looked upon it in amazement she did stand | I |
| Then she cried aloud 'It is from my brother Bennie | B |
| Yes it is dear father as you can see ' | - |
| - | |
| And as his father gazed upon it he thought Bennie was dead | C |
| Then he handed the letter to Mr Allan and by him it was read | C |
| And the minister read as follows 'Dear father when this you see | B |
| I shall be dead and in eternity | B |
| - | |
| 'And dear father at first it seemed awful to me | B |
| The thought of being launched into eternity | B |
| But dear father I'm resolved to die like a man | F |
| And keep up my courage and do the best I can | F |
| - | |
| 'You know I promised Jemmie Carr's mother to look after her boy | J |
| Who was his mother's pet and only joy | J |
| But one night while on march Jemmie turned sick | K |
| And if I hadn't lent him my arm he'd have dropped very quick | K |
| - | |
| 'And that night it was Jemmie's turn to be sentry | B |
| And take poor Jemmie's place I did agree | B |
| But I couldn't keep awake father I'm sorry to relate | L |
| And I didn't know it well until it was too late | L |
| - | |
| 'Good bye dear father God seems near me | B |
| But I'm not afraid now to be launched into eternity | B |
| No dear father I'm going to a world free from strife | M |
| And see my Saviour there in a better better life ' | - |
| - | |
| That night softly little Blossom Bennie's sister stole out | N |
| And glided down the footpath without any doubt | N |
| She was on her way to Washington with her heart full of woe | A |
| To try and save her brother's life blow high blow low | A |
| - | |
| And when Blossom appeared before President Lincoln | E |
| Poor child she was looking very woebegone | O |
| Then the President said 'My child what do you want with me ' | - |
| 'Please Bennie's life sir ' she answered timidly | B |
| - | |
| 'Jemmie was sick sir and my brother took his place ' | - |
| 'What is this you say child Come here and let me see your face ' | - |
| Then she handed him Bennie's letter and he read if carefully | B |
| And taking up his pen he wrote a few lines hastily | B |
| - | |
| Then he said to Blossom 'To morrow Bennie will go with you ' | - |
| And two days after this interview | P |
| Bennie and Blossom took their way to their green mountain home | Q |
| And poor little Blossom was footsore but she didn't moan | R |
| - | |
| - | |
| And a crowd gathered at the mill depot to welcome them back | S |
| And to grasp the hand of his boy Farmer Owen wasn't slack | S |
| And tears flowed down his cheeks as he said fervently | B |
| 'The Lord be praised for setting my dear boy free ' | - |
William Topaz Mcgonagall
(1)
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