The Battle Of Alma Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABB CCDE FFGG HAIJ KKLM NNOC CCOO PQRS CCTT BBUV WWOO XXED YYZA2 FFB2B2 OOC2K C2C2CC HHEE| 'Twas on the heights of Alma the battle began | A |
| But the Russians turned and fled every man | A |
| Because Sir Colin Campbell's Highland Brigade put them to flight | B |
| At the charge of the bayonet which soon ended the fight | B |
| - | |
| Sir Colin Campbell he did loudly cry | C |
| Let the Highlanders go forward they will win or die | C |
| We'll hae nane but Hieland bonnets here | D |
| So forward my lads and give one ringing cheer | E |
| - | |
| Then boldly and quickly they crossed the river | F |
| But not one amongst them with fear did shiver | F |
| And ascended the height forming quietly on the crest | G |
| While each man seemed anxious to do his best | G |
| - | |
| The battle was fought by twenty against one | H |
| But the gallant British troops resolved to die to a man | A |
| While the shot was mowing them down and making ugly gaps | I |
| And shells shrieking and whistling and making fearful cracks | J |
| - | |
| On the heights of Alma it was a critical time | K |
| And to see the Highland Brigade it was really sublime | K |
| To hear the officers shouting to their men | L |
| On lads I'll show you the way to fight them | M |
| - | |
| Close up Close up Stand firm my boys | N |
| Now be steady men steady and think of our joys | N |
| If we only conquer the Russians this day | O |
| Our fame will be handed down to posterity for ever and aye | C |
| - | |
| Still forward Forward My lads was the cry | C |
| And from the redoubt make them fly | C |
| And at length the Russians had to give way | O |
| And fled from the redoubt in wild dismay | O |
| - | |
| Still the fate of the battle hung in the balance | P |
| But Sir Colin knew he had still a chance | Q |
| But one weak officer in fear loudly shouted | R |
| Let the Guards fall back or they'll be totally routed | S |
| - | |
| Then Sir Colin Campbell did make reply | C |
| 'Tis better Sir that every man of the Guards should die | C |
| And to be found dead on this bloody field | T |
| Than to have it said they fled and were forced to yield | T |
| - | |
| Then the Coldstreams on the highlanders' right | B |
| Now advanced to engage the enemy in the fight | B |
| But then they halted unable to go forward | U |
| Because the Russians did their progress retard | V |
| - | |
| But now came the turning point of the battle | W |
| While the Russian guns loudly did rattle | W |
| Then Sir Colin turned to the plumed Highland array | O |
| And in stirring tones to them did say | O |
| - | |
| Be steady keep silence my lads don't be afraid | X |
| And make me proud of my Highland Brigade | X |
| Then followed the command sharp and clear | E |
| While the war notes of the d bagpipes smote the ear | D |
| - | |
| The soldiers though young were cool and steady | Y |
| And to face the enemy they were ever ready | Y |
| And still as the bare kneed line unwavering came on | Z |
| It caused the Russians to shake and look woebegone | A2 |
| - | |
| And now as the din of the fight grew greater | F |
| Fear filled the hearts of the Russian giants in stature | F |
| Because the kilted heroes they fought so well | B2 |
| That they thought they had come from the regions of hell | B2 |
| - | |
| Oh it was a most beautiful and magnificent display | O |
| To see the Highland Brigade in their tartan array | O |
| And their tall bending plumes in a long line | C2 |
| The scene was inspiring and really sublime | K |
| - | |
| Then terror stricken by this terrible advancing line | C2 |
| The Russians broke down and began to whine | C2 |
| And they turned round and fled with a moaning cry | C |
| Because they were undone and had to fly | C |
| - | |
| Then the crisis was past and the victory won | H |
| Which caused Sir Colin Campbell to cry Well done | H |
| And raising his hand gave the signal to cheer | E |
| Which was responded to by hurrahs loud and clear | E |
William Topaz Mcgonagall
(1)
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About The Battle Of Alma
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