Barrack Room Ballads

BARRACK ROOM BALLADS AND OTHER VERSES BY RUDYARD KIPLING TO WOLCOTT BALESTIER R. K. Beyond the path of the outmost sun through utter darkness hurled Further than ever comet flared or vagrant star-dust swirled Live such as fought and sailed and ruled and loved and made our world, They are purged of pride because they died, they know the worth of their bays, They sit at wine with the Maidens Nine and the Gods of the Elder Days, It is their will to serve or be still as fitteth our Father's praise. Tis them to sweep through the ringing deep where Azrael's outposts are, Or buffet a path through the Pit's red wrath when God goes out to war, Or hang with the reckless Seraphim on the rein of a red-maned star. They take their mirth in the joy of the Earth they dare not grieve for her pain They know of toil and the end of toil9 they know God's law So they whistle the Demi to make them, sport who know that Sin is vain. And ofttimes cometh our wise Lord God, master of every trade,' And tells them tales of His daily toil, ofEdens newly made And they rise to their feet as He passes by, gentlemen un-afraid. . To these who are cleansed of base Desire, Sorrow and Lust and Shame Gods for they knew the hearts of men, men for they stooped to Fame, Borne on the breath that men call Death, my brother's spirit came. He scarce had need to doff his pride or slough the dross of Earthen as he trod that day to God so walked he from his birth, In simpleness and gentleness and honour and clean mirth. So cup to lip in fellowship they gave him welcome high And made him .place at the banquet board the Strong Men ranged thereby, Who had done his work and held his peace and had no fear to die. Beyond the loom of the last lone star, through open darkness hurled, Further than rebel comet dared or hiving star-swarm swirled, Sits he with those that praise our God for that they served His world CONTENTS: TO WOLCOTT BALESTIER Beyond the path of the outmost sun through utter darkness hurled., k x Barrack-room Ballade TOT. A. I have made for you a song DANNY DEEVER "What are the bugles blowin for?" said Files-on-Parade TOMMY I went into a public-'ouse to get a pint o' beer. 'FUZZY-WUZZY* We ve fought with many men acrost the seas.