Link Your Arm in Mine, My Lad
The poem explores themes of camaraderie, equality, and the shared human experience. It emphasizes unity and solidarity among people, regardless of their social status or individual roles. The speaker encourages a sense of brotherhood, suggesting that all people face life's challenges together. The poem contrasts the simplicity and peace of ordinary life with the strife and recognition associated with heroism and high status. It dismisses concerns about legacy and societal recognition, focusing instead on the value of work and mutual support. The speaker advocates for contentment with one's role and the importance of contributing to the collective effort.
By Robert Louis Stevenson · First published 1887 · Genre: Poetry, Social Commentary, Political Satire · 273 words
First lines
Link your arm in mine, my lad --
You and I together, / You and I and all the rest / Shall face the winter weather.
Chorus / Some to good, and some to harm, / Some to cheer the others, / All the world goes arm in arm, / And all the men are brothers.
Fortune kicks us here and there, / Small our role in life, lad.
What this Textopian page supports
Link Your Arm in Mine, My Lad is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Louis Stevenson, dated 1887 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Robert Louis Stevenson
- Date: 1887 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Social Commentary, Political Satire
- Length: 273 words
- Structure: 1 section, 15 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Link Your Arm in Mine, My Lad by Robert Louis Stevenson
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Genres
- Poetry — The work employs structured verse, rhyme, and meter typical of poetic form.
- Social Commentary — The text reflects on unity, shared labor, and the human condition within socio-economic contexts.
- Political Satire — Through irony and humor, it critiques social hierarchies and leadership structures.
Tags
travelogue · journey · adventure · travel · memoir · essay · narrative · observation · culture · historical · reflection · exploration
More by Robert Louis Stevenson
- Treasure Island (1883)
- The Pavilion on the Links (1909)
- Olalla (1885)
- A Child's Garden of Verses (1885)
- Father Damien, An Open Letter To The Reverend Doctor Hyde Of Honolulu (1914)
- A Lowden Sabbath Morn (1916)
- Songs of Travel and Other Verses (1908)
- Prayers Written At Vailima (1916)
- All works by Robert Louis Stevenson