The Men That Fought At Minden Poem by Rudyard Kipling
The Men That Fought At Minden
A Song of Instruction
The men that fought at Minden, they was rookies in their time --
So was them that fought at Waterloo!
All the 'ole command, yuss, from Minden to Maiwand,
They was once dam' sweeps like you!
Then do not be discouraged, 'Eaven is your 'elper,
We'll learn you not to forget;
An' you mustn't swear an' curse, or you'll only catch it worse,
For we'll make you soldiers yet!
The men that fought at Minden, they 'ad stocks beneath their chins,
Six inch 'igh an' more;
But fatigue it was their pride, and they ~would~ not be denied
To clean the cook-'ouse floor.
The men that fought at Minden, they had anarchistic bombs
Served to 'em by name of 'and-grenades;
But they got it in the eye (same as you will by-an'-by)
When they clubbed their field-parades.
The men that fought at Minden, they 'ad buttons up an' down,
Two-an'-twenty dozen of 'em told;
But they didn't grouse an' shirk at an hour's extry work,
They kept 'em bright as gold.
The men that fought at Minden, they was armed with musketoons,
Also, they was drilled by 'alberdiers;
I don't know what they were, but the sergeants took good care
They washed be'ind their ears.
The men that fought at Minden, they 'ad ever cash in 'and
Which they did not bank nor save,
But spent it gay an' free on their betters -- such as me --
For the good advice I gave.
The men that fought at Minden, they was civil -- yuss, they was --
Never didn't talk o' rights an' wrongs,
But they got it with the toe (same as you will get it -- so!) --
For interrupting songs.
The men that fought at Minden, they was several other things
Which I don't remember clear;
But ~that's~ the reason why, now the six-year men are dry,
The rooks will stand the beer!
Then do not be discouraged, 'Eaven is your 'elper,
We'll learn you not to forget;
An' you mustn't swear an' curse, or you'll only catch it worse,
For we'll make you soldiers yet!
Soldiers yet, if you've got it in you --
All for the sake of the Core;
Soldiers yet, if we 'ave to skin you --
Run an' get the beer, Johnny Raw -- Johnny Raw!
Ho! run an' get the beer, Johnny Raw!
The poem titled 'The Men That Fought At Minden' by Rudyard Kipling, contains absolutely no details of this battle. Not even the armies involved nor the location. Why? The theme of the poem is that soldiers were all once ‘rookies in their time’, who became soldiers because of the famous battles they fought in. The veterans earned their privileges and ‘Johnny Raw’ must do most of the donkey work, until he has proven himself. Kipling stresses this theme with the line ‘from Minden to Maiwand’. Minden was a battle fought in August 1759 in Germany, against two French armies that threatened Western Germany; while the Battle of Maiwand was fought over a hundred years later in 1880 during the Second Anglo-Afghan War. Two interesting events in British military history, are remembered because of The Battle of Minden. The order sent to the British infantry “advance on the beat of drum” was misinterpreted as “advance to the beat of drum”. Thus mistakenly Waldegrave’s brigade, then Kingsley’s advanced and attacked the French line. The French army would have been totally defeated, if Sackville commanding the cavalry, had not disobeyed four separate orders from Prince Ferdinand, to attack during critical phases of the battle. “Sackville’s deputy commander, the Earl of Granby attempted to lead the force forward but was ordered to halt by Sackville.” At Minden four British infantry regiments, achieved eternal fame, and French Marshal Contades lamented bitterly after the battle, “I never thought to see a single line of infantry break through three lines of cavalry ranked in order of battle and tumble them to ruin.” Major General Waldegrave was promoted to Lieutenant General. Sackville was convicted by general court martial for disobeying Prince Ferdinand’s orders. Dismissed from the army by King George II and sentenced never to serve His Majesty in any capacity again. Lucky for the Americans, “in the next reign Sackville, under the name of Lord Germaine, became Secretary for War and directed the operations of the British Army during the American War of Independence.
It is saddened.. .. that history.. such it is like this..was as once was then now nevers.. is only good.. extra credit now.. Could you even.. ever understand the ways of speach now.. never then. can you.. would you.. find the time.. to make them do it..? ..iip
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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4/25/2024 11:56:07 AM # 1.0.0.1119
good writing, I like it, thanks.