Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE DRUM, by FRIEDRICH RUCKERT


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE DRUM, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Oh, the drum - it rattles so loud!
Last Line: Oh, the drum -- it rattles so loud!
Alternate Author Name(s): Raimar, Freidmund
Subject(s): War


Oh, the drum -- it rattles so loud!
When it calls me with its rattle
To the battle -- to the battle --
Sounds that once so charmed my ear
I no longer now can hear;
They are all an empty hum
For the drum --
Oh, the drum -- it rattles so loud!

Oh, the drum -- it rattles so loud!
At the door with tearful eye,
Father, mother, to me cry: --
Father! mother! shut the door!
I can hear you now no more!
Ye might as well be dumb,
For the drum --
Oh, the drum -- it rattles so loud!

Oh, the drum -- it rattles so loud!
At the corner of the street
Where so oft we used to meet,
Stands my bride, and cries, "Ah, woe!
My bridegroom, wilt thou go?"
Dearest bride, the hour is come!
For the drum --
Oh, the drum -- it rattles so loud!

Oh, the drum -- it rattles so loud!
My brother in the fight
Bids a last, a long goodnight;
And the guns, with knell on knell,
Their tale of warning tell: --
But my ear to that is numb.
For the drum --
Oh, the drum -- it rattles so loud!

Oh, the drum -- it rattles so loud!
There's no such stirring sound
Is heard the wide world round
As the drum that with its rattle
Echoes Freedom's call to battle!
I fear no martyrdom
While the drum --
Oh, the drum -- it rattles so loud!






Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


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