Author: Banjo Paterson (Andrew Barton)
Our hero was a Tommy with a conscience free from care, And such an open countenance that when he breathed the air He mopped up all the atmosphere, so little went to spare You could hardly say he breathed, he "commandeered" it. For nowadays you'll notice when a man is "on the make", And other people's property is anxious for to take, We never use such words as "steal", or "collar", "pinch", or "shake". No, the fashion is to say we "commandeered" it. And our simple-minded hero used to grumble at his lot, Said he, "This commandeerin's just a little bit too hot, A fellow has to carry every blooming thing he's got; Whatever he puts down they'll commandeer it." So after much anxiety our simple-minded elf He thought he'd do a little commandeering for himself, And the first thing that he'd noticed was a bottle on a shelf In a cottage, so he thought he'd commandeer it. "What ho!" says he, "a bottle, and, by George, it's full of beer, And no commanding officer to come and interfere. Here's my own blooming health," says he, "I'm on the commandeer." And without another word he commandeered it. On his subsequent proceedings we must draw a little veil, For the Boers had left some sheep dip in that bottle labeled "Ale"; But the doctor said he's shift it, if all other methods fail, We must use the stomach pump and commandeer it.
Type of Poem: Narrative Poem
Date Written:
Date Published:
Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Publisher:
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Comments/Notes: The poem in question utilizes humor, a vernacular voice, and a consistent rhyme scheme to explore themes of authority, individual agency, and the double-edged sword of commandeering or taking what isn't rightfully owned. The protagonist, a "Tommy" or British soldier, embodies a common man wrestling with the concept of commandeering, as seen in military or authoritative contexts. The poet uses the term "commandeered" as a euphemism for theft, highlighting societal hypocrisy and the manipulation of language to justify unsavory actions.
The poem's tone is light-hearted and satirical, employing a robust sense of humor to critique the destructive potential of authority when unchecked. The poem's structure relies heavily on narrative storytelling, employing a consistent AABB rhyme scheme that adds to its sing-song, accessible feel. The irony in the narrative—whereby the Tommy suffers after commandeering a bottle filled with sheep dip thinking it was beer—serves as a commentary on the consequences of one's actions, especially when they involve overstepping one's boundaries. The poem's final lines suggest a further irony, indicating that even the cure for the Tommy's ailment involves commandeering, which emphasizes the pervasiveness of this action in society.
Literary devices such as personification ("And such an open countenance that when he breathed the air") and colloquial language ("Here's my own blooming health," says he, "I'm on the commandeer.") further contribute to the vivid characterization of the Tommy and the poem's overall appeal. Through these devices, the poet underlines the theme of individual responsibility and the consequences of overreaching one's authority.
Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.
Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:
From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.