Gentlemen-Rankers by Rudyard Kipling

Name: Gentlemen-Rankers
Author: Rudyard Kipling

The poem explores the lives of disillusioned soldiers, referred to as "gentlemen-rankers," who grapple with their lost status and the harsh realities of military life. It begins with a lament for those who have fallen from grace, addressing a sense of camaraderie among the fallen. The speaker reflects on the contrast between their former privileged lives and their current circumstances as soldiers, highlighting feelings of shame and regret. The soldiers indulge in revelry and drink to escape their pain, revealing a deep sense of despair and a longing for the comforts of home. They acknowledge their moral decline and the loss of youthful ideals, expressing a sense of hopelessness as they descend further into their predicament. The refrain emphasizes their status as outcasts, invoking imagery of lost sheep, which symbolizes their aimlessness and estrangement from societal norms. The poem culminates in a recognition of their collective suffering and the inevitability of their fate, suggesting that their lives will end in obscurity, with no one to remember them. The tone is both mournful and defiant, capturing the complexities of identity, honor, and the burdens of past choices. Ultimately, it serves as a poignant commentary on the sacrifices and disillusionment faced by those who serve in the military, particularly those from privileged backgrounds who find themselves in a world far removed from their origins.

By Rudyard Kipling · First published 1890 · Genre: Poetry, Military Literature, Social Commentary · 630 words

First lines

To the legion of the lost ones, to the cohort of the damned, To my brethren in their sorrow overseas, Sings a gentleman of England cleanly bred, machinely crammed, And a trooper of the Empress, if you please. Yea, a trooper of the forces who has run his own six horses, And faith he went the pace and went it blind, And the world was more than kin while he held the ready tin, But to-day the Sergeant's something less than kind. We're poor little lambs who've lost our way, Baa! Baa! Baa! We're little black sheep who've gone astray, Baa -- aa -- aa! Gentlemen-rankers out on the spree, Damned from here to Eternity, God ha' mercy on such as we, Baa! Yah! Bah!

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Gentlemen-Rankers is listed on Textopian as a poem by Rudyard Kipling, dated 1890 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Rudyard Kipling
Date: 1890 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Military Literature, Social Commentary, Tragedy, British Literature
Length: 630 words
Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Genres

Poetry — The work is a poem that employs rhythm, meter, and lyrical language to convey its themes.
Military Literature — The poem reflects the experiences and struggles of soldiers, particularly those who feel lost or out of place.
Social Commentary — It critiques societal expectations and the harsh realities faced by those in the military.
Tragedy — The themes of loss, despair, and the fall from grace contribute to a tragic tone.