DIRGE FOR A SOLDIER
“Dirge For A Soldier” is a poem by
the American poet, playwright and diplomat George Henry Boker (1823-1890).
A dirge is a song sung at a funeral
or for a dead person.
The poem which is reproduced below is mournful and gloomy. Its aim is to reflect
not only the futility of war but also the transient nature of life.
It was written to commemorate the
memory of General Philip Kearny and is included in the “ Poems of the War” published in 1864.
The poem is both and heart-touching
and tragic.
Look at the first stanza :
Close his eyes; his work is done!
What to him is friend or foeman,
Rise of moon, or set of sun.
Hand of man, or kiss of woman?
Lay him low, lay him low,
In the clover or the snow!
What cares he? He cannot know:
Lay him low!
The remaining three stanzas are equally
pathetic and soul stirring.
As man may, he fought his fight,
Proved his truth by his endeavor;
Let him sleep in solemn night,
Sleep forever and forever.
Lay him low, lay him low,
In the clover or the snow!
What cares he? He cannot know:
Lay him low!
Fold him in the country’s stars,
Roll the drum and fire the volley!
What to him are all our wars.
What but death bemocking folly?
Lay him low, lay him low,
In the clover or the snow!
What cares he? He cannot know:
Lay him low.
Leave him to God’s watching eye,
Trust him to the hand that made him;
Mortal love weeps idly by:
God alone has power to aid him.
Lay him low, lay him low,
In the clover or the snow!
What cares he? He cannot know:
Lay him low.
**********
**Clover is a small wild plant . Its four leaves represent hope, faith,
love and luck.
G.R.Kanwal
1st June 2025
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