Where Are You Sleeping To-Night, My Lad?

By William Arthur Dunkerley (John Oxenham)

Elegy
    Where are you sleeping to-night, My Lad,     Above-ground--or below?     The last we heard you were up at the front,     Holding a trench and bearing the brunt;--         But--that was a week ago.     Ay!--that was a week ago, Dear Lad,     And a week is a long, long time,     When a second's enough, in the thick of the strife,     To sever the thread of the bravest life,         And end it in its prime.     Oh, a week is long when so little's enough     To send a man below.     It may be that while we named your name     The bullet sped and the quick end came,--         And the rest we shall never know.     But this we know, Dear Lad,--all's well     With the man who has done his best.     And whether he live, or whether he die,     He is sacred high in our memory;--         And to God we can leave the rest.     So--wherever you're sleeping to-night, Dear Lad,     This one thing we do know,--     When "Last Post" sounds, and He makes His rounds,     Not one of you all will be out of bounds,         Above ground or below.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poignant poem, a lament to a fallen soldier, masterfully weaves together themes of mortality, sacrifice, and the indomitable human spirit. The speaker's inquiry about the soldier's whereabouts, Where are you sleeping to-night, My Lad, serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life, as the soldier's fate remains uncertain. The poem's use of time as a malleable concept, with a week stretching into an eternity, underscores the brevity and significance of human existence. The speaker's reassurance that the soldier's bravery and sacrifice will be eternally remembered serves as a testament to the transcendent power of human endeavor. Ultimately, the poem concludes with a profound observation: that even in death, the soldier's memory will be revered, and their sacrifice will be forever bound to the bounds of human experience.

Understanding Elegy

An elegy is a form of poetry that expresses sorrow or lamentation, often for someone who has died. This type of poetry serves as a tribute to the deceased, reflecting on their life and the grief left behind.

Elegies are deeply emotional and personal, exploring themes of loss, mourning, and remembrance. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Mournful Tone: Elegies are characterized by a tone of sadness and reflection, as the poet grapples with the pain of loss.
  • Tribute to the Deceased: The subject of an elegy is often someone who has passed away, with the poem serving as a memorial that honors their life and legacy.
  • Personal Reflection: Elegies often include personal reflections on the impact of the deceased on the poet's life, as well as broader musings on mortality and the human condition.
  • Structure and Form: While elegies can vary in form, they often follow a traditional structure that includes an expression of grief, praise for the deceased, and a sense of consolation or acceptance.

From ancient times to the present, elegies have provided a way for poets to navigate the complexities of grief and loss, offering solace and a means of preserving the memory of those who have passed.