Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, JIM, by GEORGE VERE HOBART


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

JIM, by                    
First Line: I hear the drum roll, rub-a-dub, dub
Last Line: If jim — poor jim — marched, too!
Subject(s): Courage; Death; Grief; Soldiers; War Bonds; Valor; Bravery; Dead, The; Sorrow; Sadness


I HEAR the drum roll, rub-a-dub, dub
And the piccolo's shrill refrain;
The boys in blue with hearts so true
Are marching home again.
I hear the drum, but it beats for me
Despair and grief's tattoo;
I'd be so glad if our only lad —
Our Jim — poor Jim — marched too!

I hear the tramp, the tramp, tramp, tramp
Of the army marching by;
Brave soldiers all, at their country's call
They went to fight and die.
Their task is done, with heads erect
They pass there in review;
Instead of tears I'd give them cheers
If Jim — poor Jim — marched, too!

I hear the clank, the clank, clank, clank
Of the swords of captains gay;
But my worn eyes rest on the blood-stained crest
Of a hill far, far away.
They left him there where the weeping winds
Sing dirges faint and few —
They're home — God's light! How grand the sight
If Jim — poor Jim — marched, too!





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