"Where are you going, Young Fellow My Lad,
On this glittering morn of May?"
"I'm going to join the Colours, Dad;
They're looking for men, they say."
"But you're only a boy, Young Fellow My Lad;
You aren't obliged to go."
"I'm seventeen and a quarter, Dad,
And ever so strong, you know."
* * * *
"So you're off to France, Young Fellow My Lad,
And you're looking so fit and bright."
"I'm terribly sorry to leave you, Dad,
But I feel that I'm doing right."
"God bless you and keep you, Young Fellow My Lad,
You're all of my life, you know."
"Don't worry. I'll soon be back, dear Dad,
And I'm awfully proud to go."
* * * *
"Why don't you write, Young Fellow My Lad?
I watch for the post each day;
And I miss you so, and I'm awfully sad,
And it's months since you went away.
And I've had the fire in the parlour lit,
And I'm keeping it burning bright
Till my boy comes home; and here I sit
Into the quiet night.
* * * *
"What is the matter, Young Fellow My Lad?
No letter again to-day.
Why did the postman look so sad,
And sigh as he turned away?
I hear them tell that we've gained new ground,
But a terrible price we've paid:
God grant, my boy, that you're safe and sound;
But oh I'm afraid, afraid."
* * * *
"They've told me the truth, Young Fellow My Lad:
You'll never come back again:
(Oh God! the dreams and the dreams I've had,
and the hopes I've nursed in vain!)
For you passed in the night, Young Fellow My Lad,
And you proved in the cruel test
Of the screaming shell and the battle hell
That my boy was one of the best.
"So you'll live, you'll live, Young Fellow My Lad,
In the gleam of the evening star,
In the wood-note wild and the laugh of the child,
In all sweet things that are.
And you'll never die, my wonderful boy,
While life is noble and true;
For all our beauty and hope and joy
We will owe to our lads like you."
I learned this back in 1949ish and have never been able to forget it. It was very haunting then and still is after all this time.
How anyone can read this poem withcrying, I don't know. It makes me feel thankful for each new day I am given; and so proud of my beautiful sons who have not had to pay the terrible price of war.
When i was in grade school i had to pick out a poem to resight to the class. I CHOSE THIS ONE and today at 83 years of age I still resight it to myself usually at night when I retire.
Harry, I am 83 also this is the poem I recited at our poetry contest. This was 1952. I have recited this many times thru the years, mostly at Veterans Day ceremonies.
Tears of sadness; A wonderful powerful poem on Remembrance day.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
This is one of the most beautiful and moving poems I have ever read. God bless Robert William Service and God bless our selfless troops.