Ten Thousand Men A Day

By Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Ballad
    All the world was wearying,          All the world was sad;     Everything was shadow-filled;          Things were going bad.     Then a rumour stirred all hearts          As a wind stirs trees -     Ten thousand men a day          Coming over seas!     Soon we saw them marching by -          God! what a sight! -     Shoulders back, and heads erect,          Faces full of light.     Smiling like a morn in May,          Moving like a breeze,     Ten thousand men a day          Coming over seas.     Weary soldiers worn with war          Lifted up their eyes,     Shadows seemed to fade a bit,          Dawn was in the skies.     Hope sprang to troubled hearts,          Strength to tired knees:     Ten thousand men a day          Were coming over seas.     France and England swarmed with them,          Khaki-clad and young,     Filled with all the joy of life -          Into line they swung.     Waning valour rose anew          At the sight of these     Ten thousand men a day          Coming over seas.     Still they come - and still they come          In their strength and pride.     Victory with radiant mien          Marches on beside.     Victory is here to stay,          Every heart agrees,     With ten thousand men a day          Coming over seas.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem explores themes of despair, hope, and rejuvenation through the metaphor of soldiers arriving from overseas. The world is initially depicted as weary and sad, filled with shadows to underline a sense of gloom. However, the tone noticeably shifts as a rumor lifts the spirits of those present, akin to how wind stirs trees. The poem utilises a refrain, "Ten thousand men a day coming over seas," which not only emphasizes the overwhelming number of soldiers but also instills a rhythmic quality that mirrors the march of the troops.

The soldiers' arrival is portrayed in a light of hope and renewal. They march with shoulders back and heads erect, faces full of light, visually contrasting the shadowy world described earlier. Their presence reinvigorates the weary soldiers and seems to bring about a new dawn. The poet employs powerful imagery and personification, particularly in the lines, "Victory with radiant mien marches on beside." This vividly suggests that victory is not just a concept, but a palpable entity, radiant and walking alongside the soldiers.

The poem is structured in quatrains with an AABB rhyme scheme, which gives it a steady rhythm and a sense of continuity. The repetitive use of the phrase "Ten thousand men a day coming over seas" at the end of each stanza acts as an anchor, reaffirming the theme of hope and renewal. Overall, the poem effectively communicates the transformative power of hope in times of despair, embodied in the arrival of the soldiers.

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.