Riflemen Form!

Author: Alfred Lord Tennyson

There is a sound of thunder afar,
Storm in the South that darkens the day!
Storm of battle and thunder of war!
Well if it do not roll our way.
Storm, Storm, Riflemen form!
Ready, be ready against the storm!
Riflemen, Riflemen, Riflemen form!

Be not deaf to the sound that warns,
Be not gulld by a despots plea!
Are figs of thistles? or grapes of thorns?
How can a despot feel with the Free?
Form, Form, Riflemen Form!
Ready, be ready to meet the storm!
Riflemen, Riflemen, Riflemen form!

Let your reforms for a moment go!
Look to your butts, and take good aims!
Better a rotten borough or so
Than a rotten fleet and a city in flames!
Storm, Storm, Riflemen form!
Ready, be ready against the storm!
Riflemen, Riflemen, Riflemen form!

Form, be ready to do or die!
Form in Freedoms name and the Queens
True we have gotsuch a faithful ally
That only the Devil can tell what he means.
Form, Form, Riflemen Form
Ready, be ready to meet the storm!
Riflemen, Riflemen, Riflemen form!
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Type of Poem: Ballad

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem is a powerful call to action, invoking the imagery of an impending storm to represent the threat of conflict and the necessity for readiness. The theme is embedded in the urgency and insistence of the repeated refrain, "Riflemen, Riflemen, Riflemen form!" The poet uses this repetition not only to set the rhythm and pace of the poem but also to highlight the urgency and necessity of the situation.

The tone of the poem is stern, cold, and militant, emphasizing the seriousness and immediacy of the situation. The use of imagery, particularly the "sound of thunder afar" and "storm in the South," creates a sense of foreboding and peril, while the metaphor of the storm for war is effective in conveying the impending danger.

The structure of the poem is quite regular, with each stanza ending with the same refrain. This repetition serves to drive home the central message of the poem. Some standout literary devices include the use of rhetorical questions and metaphor. The rhetorical questions, "Are figs of thistles? or grapes of thorns?" are used to provoke thought and highlight the absurdity of expecting fairness or empathy from a despot. The metaphor of the storm for war creates a vivid image of the looming threat and danger.

Overall, the poem is a potent call to arms, using vivid imagery and repetition to convey the urgency of readiness in the face of impending conflict. It also presents a critique of despotism and emphasizes the importance of freedom and resilience.

Understanding Ballads

A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music, that has been a cornerstone of storytelling across various cultures. Traditionally passed down orally, ballads are known for their rhythmic structure and often tell tales of love, adventure, and heroism.

Ballads are characterized by their strong rhythm and repetition, making them both memorable and engaging. Here are some defining features:

  • Narrative Structure: Ballads typically tell a story, often a dramatic or emotional tale that unfolds in a straightforward, chronological order.
  • Quatrain Stanzas: Most ballads are composed of quatrains (four-line stanzas) with a rhyme scheme of ABAB or ABCB, which adds to the musicality of the verse.
  • Repetition: Refrains or repeated lines are common in ballads, helping to emphasize key themes or emotions and making the ballad easier to remember.
  • Oral Tradition: Many ballads originated from oral traditions, which means they were passed down through generations by word of mouth before being written down.

From medieval minstrels to contemporary songwriters, ballads have continued to evolve, remaining a beloved form of expression that captures the human experience in a way that is both poetic and accessible.