Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, DANNY DEEVER, by RUDYARD KIPLING


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

DANNY DEEVER, by         Recitation         Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: What are the bugles blowin' for?' said files-on-parade
Last Line: After hangin' danny deever in the mornin'.
Variant Title(s): Files-on-parade
Subject(s): Army Life; Bugles; Capital Punishment; Military Justice; Napoleon I (1769-1821); Soldiers; War; Drills & Minor Tactics; Hanging; Executions; Death Penalty; Courts Martial


"WHAT are the bugles blowin' for?" said Files-
on-Parade.
"To turn you out, to turn you out," the Color-
Sergeant said.
"What makes you look so white, so white?" said
Files-on-Parade.
"I'm dreadin' what I 're got to watch," the Color-
Sergeant said.
For they're hangin' Danny Deever, you can
hear the Dead March play,
The regiment 's in 'ollow square -- they're
hangin' him to-day;
They're taken of his buttons off an' cut his
stripes away,
An' they're hangin' Danny Deever in the
mornin'.

"What makes the rear-rank breathe so 'ard?"
said Files-on-Parade.
"It 's bitter cold, it's bitter cold," the Color Ser-
geant said.
"What makes that front-rank man fall down?"
says Files-on-Parade.
" A touch o' sun, a touch o' sun," the Color-Ser-
geant said.
They are hangin' Danny Deever, they are
marchin' of 'im round,
They 'ave 'alted Danny Deever by 'is coffin
on the ground;
An' 'e 'll swing in 'arf a minute for a sneak-
in' shootin' hound --
O they're hangin' Danny Deever in the
mornin'!

"'Is cot was right-'and cot to mine," said Files-on-
Parade.
"'E's sleepin' out an' far to-night," the Color-
Sergeant said.
"I 're drunk 'is beer a score o' times," said Files-
on-Parade.
"'E's drinkin' bitter beer alone," the Color-Ser-
geant said.
They are hangin' Danny Deever, you must
mark 'im to 'is place,
For 'e shot a comrade sleepin' -- you must
look 'im in the face;
Nine 'undred of 'is county an' the regiment's
disgrace,
While they're hangin' Danny Deever in the
mornin'.

"What 's that so black agin the sun ?" said Files
on-Parade.
"I t's Danny fightin' 'ard for life," the Color-Ser-
geant said.
"What's that that whimpers over'ead?" said
Files-on-Parade.
"It 's Danny's soul that 's passin' now," the Color-
Sergeant said.
For they 're done with Danny Deever, you
can 'ear the quickstep play,
The regiment 's in column, an' they're
marchin' us away;
Ho! the young recruits are shakin', an'
they 'll want their beer to-day,
After hangin' Danny Deever in the mornin'.




Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net