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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TROOPSHIP by LIONEL PIGOT JOHNSON

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: AT EARLY MORNING, CLEAR AND COLD
Last Line: TILL ROUND THEM BURN THE INDIAN AIR: %AND ENGLISH LIPS WILL HAIL THEM THEN
At early morning, clear and cold,
At early morning, clear and cold,
Still in her English harbour lay
Still in her English harbour lay
The long, white ship: while winter gold
The long, white ship: while winter gold
Shone pale upon her outward way.
Shone pale upon her outward way.
Slowly she moved, slowly she stirred,

Stately and slow, she went away:

Sounds of farewell, the harbour heard;
Slowly she moved, slowly she stirred,
Music on board began to play.
Stately and slow, she went away:
Old, homely airs were thine, great ship!
Sounds of farewell, the harbour heard;
Breaking from laughter into tears:
Music on board began to play.
And through them all good fellowship

Spoke of a trust beyond all fears.

Still, as the gray mists gathered round,
Old, homely airs were thine, great ship!
Embracing thee, concealing thine;
Breaking from laughter into tears:
Still, faintly from the Outward Bound
And through them all good fellowship
Came melodies of Auld Lang Syne.
Spoke of a trust beyond all fears.
Oh, sad to part! Oh, brave to go

Between the Piers of Hercules,

And through the seas of fame, and so
Still, as the gray mists gathered round,
Meet eastern sun on eastern seas!
Embracing thee, concealing thine;
O richly laden! swiftly bear,
Still, faintly from the Outward Bound
And surely, thy two thousand men;
Came melodies of Auld Lang Syne.
Till round them burn the Indian air:

And English lips will hail them then.


Oh, sad to part! Oh, brave to go

Between the Piers of Hercules,

And through the seas of fame, and so

Meet eastern sun on eastern seas!


O richly laden! swiftly bear,
And surely, thy two thousand men;
Till round them burn the Indian air:
And English lips will hail them then.




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