American Boys, Hello!

By Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Ballad
    Oh! we love all the French, and we speak in French     As along through France we go.     But the moments to us that are keen and sweet     Are the ones when our khaki boys we meet,     Stalwart and handsome and trim and neat;     And we call to them - 'Boys, hello!'     'Hello, American boys,     Luck to you, and life's best joys!     American boys, hello!'     We couldn't do that if we were at home -     It never would do, you know!     For there you must wait till you're told who's who,     And to meet in the way that nice folks do.     Though you knew his name, and your name he knew -     You never would say 'Hello, hello, American boy!'     But here it's just a joy,     As we pass along in the stranger throng,     To call out, 'Boys, hello!'     For each is a brother away from home;     And this we are sure is so,     There's a lonesome spot in his heart somewhere,     And we want him to feel there are friends RIGHT THERE     In this foreign land, and so we dare     To call out 'Boys, hello!'     'Hello, American boys,     Luck to you, and life's best joys!     American boys, hello!'

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem is a heartfelt homage to camaraderie and unity, chiefly centered on the shared identity and experiences of American soldiers in a foreign land. Its theme of brotherhood is beautifully rendered through the recurring and uplifting chorus of "Hello, American boys." The repetition of this phrase not only emphasizes the connection between the speaker and the soldiers but also gives the poem a rhythmic, song-like quality that underscores its uplifting message.

The poem’s tone is marked by both a sense of warmth and a slight undercurrent of melancholy. The joy of encountering fellow countrymen in a foreign land is tempered by the underlying knowledge of their lonesomeness and the dangers they face. The poem’s structure, with the repeated chorus and the steady rhyming scheme, reinforces the sense of unity and camaraderie among the soldiers, as if the poem itself is a unifying chant. The use of direct speech and the colloquial language contribute to the poem's approachability and its ability to resonate with a wide audience. Overall, the poem is a touching tribute to friendship, shared identity, and the human ability to find joy and connection in even the most challenging circumstances.

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.