The Pipes at Lucknow
This poem tells the story of a British army's retreat from Lucknow during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The narrator describes the pipes being played by a lone piper to boost the morale of the retreating soldiers, who are exhausted and demoralized after months of siege. The piper's music serves as a symbol of hope and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1858 · Genre: Historical Poetry, War Poetry, Patriotic Poetry · 560 words
First lines
An incident of the Sepoy mutiny.
PIPES of the misty moorlands, Voice of the glens and hills; The droning of the torrents, The treble of the rills! Not the braes of broom and heather, Nor the mountains dark with rain, Nor maiden bower, nor border tower, Have heard your sweetest strain!
What this Textopian page supports
The Pipes at Lucknow is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1858 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: John Greenleaf Whittier
- Date: 1858 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Poetry, War Poetry, Patriotic Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Narrative Poetry
- Length: 560 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Genres
- Historical Poetry — The work reflects on a specific historical event, the Sepoy mutiny, through poetic expression.
- War Poetry — The themes of conflict, struggle, and the emotional impact of war are central to the poem.
- Patriotic Poetry — The poem evokes national pride and the valor of soldiers, particularly through the imagery of Scottish heritage.
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and sentiments related to longing and hope amidst despair.
Tags
Historical Fiction · War Story · British Raj · Indian Rebellion · Poetry · Verse Novel · Narrative Verse · 19th Century Literature · Colonialism · Imperialism · Military History · Lucknow Siege