The Wondering Minstrels

Theme: Soldiery

There are lots of Kipling poems on soldiering, too many for sure. "Bobs" captures the enlisted man's feelings for an officer who seems to care about his men. Bobs (Field Marshal Lord Roberts of Kandahar) There's a little red-faced man, Which is Bobs, Rides the tallest 'orse 'e can -- Our Bobs. If it bucks or kicks or rears, 'E can sit for twenty years With a smile round both 'is ears -- Can't yer, Bobs? Then 'ere's to Bobs Bahadur -- little Bobs, Bobs, Bobs! 'E's our pukka Kandaharder -- Fightin' Bobs, Bobs, Bobs! 'E's the Dook of Aggy Chel; 'E's the man that done us well, An' we'll follow 'im to 'ell -- Won't we, Bobs? If a limber's slipped a trace, 'Ook on Bobs. If a marker's lost 'is place, Dress by Bobs. For 'e's eyes all up 'is coat, An'a a bugle in 'is throat, An'you will not play the goat Under Bobs. 'E's a little down on drink Chaplain Bobs; But it keeps us outer Clink -- Don't it, Bobs? So we will not complain Tho' 'e's water on the brain, If 'e leads us straight again -- Blue-light Bobs. If you stood 'im on 'is head, Father Bobs, You could spill a quart ot lead Outer Bobs. 'E's been at it thirty years, An-amassin' soveneers In the way o' slugs an' spears -- Ain't yer Bobs? What 'e does not knowv o'war, Gen'ral Bobs, You cun arst the shop next door -- Can't they, Bobs? Oh, 'e's little but he's wise; 'E's terror for' is size:, An' -- 'e -- does -- not -- advertize -- Do yer, Bobs? Now they 've made a blooimin 'Lord Ou ter Bobs, Which was but 'is fair reward -- Wheren't it, Bobs?: So ell wear a coronet W'here 'is 'elmet used to set; But we know you won't forget -- Will yer, Bobs? Then 'ere's to Bobs Bahadur -- little Bobs, Bobs, Bobs, Pocket-Wellin'ton 'an arder -- Fightin' Bobs, Bobs, Bobs! This ain't no bloomin' ode, But you've 'elped the soldier's load, An' for benefits bestowed, Bless yer, Bobs!

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A brief note on collections. Probably worth a quick read at this point.