Classic and Contemporary Poetry
DANNY DEEVER, by RUDYARD KIPLING 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...ANDRE'S LAST REQUEST [OR, REQUEST TO WASHINGTON] [OCTOBER 1, 1780] by NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS AFTER COURT MARTIAL by FRANCIS LEDWIDGE FUZZY-WUZZY' (SOUDAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE) by RUDYARD KIPLING A SMUGGLER'S SONG by RUDYARD KIPLING A SONG TO MITHRAS by RUDYARD KIPLING A ST. HELENA LULLABY by RUDYARD KIPLING CHRISTMAS IN INDIA by RUDYARD KIPLING EPITAPHS OF THE WAR, 1914-18: 'EQUALITY OF SACRIFICE' by RUDYARD KIPLING EPITAPHS OF THE WAR, 1914-18: A DEAD STATESMAN by RUDYARD KIPLING EPITAPHS OF THE WAR, 1914-18: A DRIFTER OFF TARENTUM by RUDYARD KIPLING EPITAPHS OF THE WAR, 1914-18: BATTERIES OUT OF AMMUNITION by RUDYARD KIPLING |
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