The Ballad of the "Bolivar"

Name: The Ballad of the "Bolivar"
Author: Rudyard Kipling

A group of seven sailors embarks on a tumultuous journey aboard a poorly constructed ship, facing numerous challenges and dangers at sea. They set out from Sunderland, initially loaded with cargo, but encounter severe weather that causes them to return multiple times. Despite the ship's deteriorating condition, they persist, battling against the elements and their own fears. As they navigate through treacherous waters, the crew experiences the physical and mental toll of their ordeal. The ship leaks, struggles to maintain course, and the sailors endure harsh conditions, questioning whether they will survive the journey. They pray for divine intervention while cursing the ship's flaws and their own misfortune. Amidst the chaos, they spot other vessels, feeling envy and longing for safety. The captain's leadership is tested as they face mechanical failures and the threat of capsizing. Despite the overwhelming odds, they manage to steer the ship through the storm, relying on their resilience and camaraderie. Ultimately, they arrive at their destination, battered but alive, celebrating their survival against all odds. The experience transforms them, highlighting the harsh realities of maritime life and the bond forged through shared adversity. The sailors return to shore, reflecting on their harrowing journey and the precarious nature of their existence at sea.

By Rudyard Kipling · First published 1940 · Genre: Narrative Poetry, Sea Literature, Adventure · 733 words

First lines

Seven men from all the world, back to Docks again, Rolling down the Ratcliffe Road drunk and raising Cain: Give the girls another drink 'fore we sign away -- We that took the _Bolivar_ out across the Bay!

We put out from Sunderland loaded down with rails; We put back to Sunderland 'cause our cargo shifted; We put out from Sunderland -- met the winter gales -- Seven days and seven nights to the Start we drifted. Racketing her rivets loose, smoke-stack white as snow, All the coals adrift adeck, half the rails below, Leaking like a lobster-pot, steering like a dray -- Out we took the _Bolivar_, out across the Bay!

What this Textopian page supports

The Ballad of the "Bolivar" is listed on Textopian as a poem by Rudyard Kipling, dated 1940 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Poem
Author: Rudyard Kipling
Date: 1940 CE
Language: English
Genres: Narrative Poetry, Sea Literature, Adventure, Ballad, Humor
Length: 733 words
Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Narrative Poetry — The work is structured as a ballad, telling a story through verse, which is characteristic of narrative poetry.
Sea Literature — The poem focuses on the experiences of sailors and the challenges of maritime life, making it relevant to sea literature.
Adventure — The themes of perilous journeys and overcoming obstacles align with the adventure genre.
Ballad — The poem's form and style are typical of ballads, which often recount tales of heroism and struggle.