"Tommy" by Rudyard Kipling (read by Tom O'Bedlam)
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- Опубліковано 8 вер 2024
- A friend of mine asked me to post this, after reading the following news item three days ago (24th September, 2009)
"The number of former servicemen in prison or on probation or parole is now more than double the total British deployment in Afghanistan, according to a new survey. An estimated 20,000 veterans are in the criminal justice system, with 8,500 behind bars, almost one in 10 of the prison population."
www.guardian.co...
"Tommy" was written in 1890, yet it's surprising how relevant it seems today. It was originally called The Queens Uniform, which makes the line about "The Widow's Uniform" more poignant.
The Guardian published this article about Kipling, quoting his piece about the soldiers killed in the war which ends with the line, "who shall return us our children?"
www.guardian.co...
"The Thin Red Line" was painted by Robert Gibb in 1881. Kipling was quoting the title of this famous painting which shows the Sutherland highlanders at the Battle of Balaclava during the Crimean War.
On 28 December 2003, Peter Pindar published his version in the Sunday Telegraph,
Tommy in the 21st Century
We aren't made for cool Britannia; we leave boot marks on the floor.
We don't walk like Peter Mandelson or talk like Jack Straw.
Call us forces of conservatism, if it suits your turn
But we're off like some world fire brigade when the flash-points start to burn.
Yes it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that that, an' spend less on defence,
But who walks the streets of Basra when the air is getting tense?
When the air is getting tense, boys, from Kabul to Kosovo
Who'll say goodbye to wife and kids, and shoulder pack and go?
The Queen, she's sat in Windsor now for 50 years or more.
She'll see this government depart like the other one before.
And Blair & Bush & Chirac make their plans to no avail
But who remains to serve the Crown when politicians fail?
O it's Tommy change your values - now diversity's the game;
But when Christmas leave is cancelled, then whose tyrants are to blame?
There's tyrants in the mountains, boys, and tyrants in the sands,
So farewell to wives & risk your lives for them in foreign lands.
You got it brother. No one respects the soldier until they need him.
I spent twenty years on active duty - including most of the Vietnam War period and its aftermath - and America disgracefully supported its young warriors during and upon their return from Asia. Virtually no one in uniform is a policy maker - perhaps only a few of the very few four-star officers - or even a policy influencer. That crucial role is the exclusive domain of our most senior elected and appointed officials. Yet, many Americans treated the teenagers and the young men who had ABSOLUTELY NO effect on national policy as fools and knaves, when - in fact - the overwhelming majority were simply attempting to do our duties as well as they could.
Tragically, Tommy Atkins was alive and well in the United States during several decades of the Twentieth Century. Shame on the many Americans who treated their peers and children so unreasonably and irrationally.
The modern insistence that we judge our ancestors by current standards can't crush the beauty, wisdom and ongoing relevance of one of the truly great poets of the English language.
I'm an old soldier myself, from a family where about half of every generation of us who Could serve Has going back well before WW2. I'm a second generation Para & my youngest son is nearing retirement as the 3rd gen jumper in the family. "Tommy" speaks to & for All soldiers, no matter their nation or time. For many years, no matter the nation, we have been looked down on by most of the very civilians we put our lives on the line to defend. They call us 'morons incapable of getting & holding down a Real job in their 'Real world'. The version you added by Pindar is quite good, for a rewrite/update.
"Tommy" is for every soldier, sailor, or Marine that ever served in any uniform; regardless, of the time frame in World History. Tommy and I marched together so long ago.
As relevant today as when it was written. A powerful piece of poetry.
I was never a soldier , but i am proud of those that were . this poem should be taught in every school . The way vets are treated by the government and country is an insult
And as he lay mortally wounded in battle, Private Thomas Atkins said to the Duke of Wellington, "It's all right, sir. It's all in a day's work" just before he died.
www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/His
toryofBritain/The-British-Tommy-Tommy-At
kins/
That reminds me or Lord Uxbridge, According to anecdote, which is probably apocryphal, he was close to the Duke of Wellington when his leg was hit, and exclaimed, "By God, sir, I've lost my leg!", to which Wellington replied "By God, sir, so you have!
Remarkable poem. Rudyard Kipling is a great poet!
You have got the message all right. Tommy Atkins was a slang term for a common soldier in the British Army. It was the name that the War Office used to illustrate how to fill in forms. If you want to know more about it then google the name and read the wiki article.
One of my favourite Kipling poems, read so well, thank you! 😊
this speaks so much truth for any soldier old or new .
Kiplings best poem beyond any doubt! He really knew how to capture a feeling in verse, and this is true here. Real shame that in over a century we still treat our defenders like s*** except when we need them. If anyone out there has family in the services, regardless of wherever they may be stationed, or what they may be doing, remember that we owe them our freedom today!
a hundred plus years and nothing has changed .
This is still ever so true.
Great Poem, and an excellent reading. Well done.
Every time I hear this, I have to choke back the tears.
fantastic verse first time I've heard it
To All Comrades At Arms, Happy Veterans Day 2015. USMC 77-81, Airwing.
Nobody, I think, captured the selfish, sanctimonious cluelessness of the "elite" as they disparage those who protect them better than Kipling.
I can only imagine how the great poet would respond to current events...
Gentlemen, you are wrong to assume that all and sundry look down on all soldiers. Mostly people respect you and recognise the sacrifices you have made. There will always be a minority of folk who , quite frankly, are too stupid to see that others have put themselves forward to protect them.
God bless,
Graham.
This is a classic. Thanks.
I don't know what they'll do to the enemy; but, by God, they frighten me.
So many soldiers fighting for "Freedom." But I look around me and wonder "Where is that freedom?" Because the people around me don't look all that free.
The Troops in the picture is that the 93rd Highland regiment or the Thin red line..
He's saying he's the same men in and out of war, yet when he's being the soldier he is mocked until the vicotry band plays, then he's treated with respect like the man he is. There is no shame in being a widow of a soldier.
Τι απίστευτα κυνικό ποίημα! Μόνο ένας Βρετανός θα μπορούσε να το φτιάξει. Αυτή η 'no-bullshit' πλευρά είναι το πρόσωπο της Βρετανίας που αγαπώ
The thin red line - When it gone, you´re alone.
Somethings never change
I love the way you present this information!
Tommy and Mister Atkins are the same person, Atkins being his last name which is how the army addresses him.
Ive not heared this before, but i love it.
Thank you for a fantastic reading. I heard you over 6 months ago and you inspired me to read kiplings barack room ballards. I would like to share with you some of my work. I have never done anything like this before, so your feedback will be more than welcome. Kind Regards Mike.
"93!.. 93!.. damn all that eagerness. " and the wavering line steadied. almost too eager to charge calvary with bayonets the 93 proved its pride. proud indeed. nobody ever said taking on british riflemen was easyl;.
how true
BRAVO!BRAVO!
This is for all squaddies
That is the best poem by my name.
@TheBanshee4302 Jane FONDA -- you mean Hanoi Jane yesterday, tomorrow and forever.
You have missed out those who flew! 55,000 killed in Bomber Command alone. So on your behalf I include then.
This poem aged well
Well said sir.
kiitos
Exactly.
so...is tommy and atkins the same person. Like when tommy needs something, they address him rudely and don't help him, but when they need him they address him properly and with the greatest respect? or am i just crappy at interpreting poems.
Beautyfuly done cartoon story
liked it very much
It was true when he wrote it and it's still true today. Don't believe me? wait a bit...less than five years and teh public will be back to the same old shit. They always have and always will, now tell me who the bloody brutes are? eh?
2:27 hit me that bit
@foxholeathiest Where is your second quote from? I would like to quote it but want to cite it properly.
This could have been written for the US Soldier of the late 19th century.
an isnt that the truth of it... thanks for posting
HOOOAH! READ THIS TO THE CONGRESS! READ IT!