Sappers
By Rudyard Kipling
When the Waters were dried an' the Earth did appear,
(“It's all one,” says the Sapper),
The Lord He created the Engineer,
Her Majesty's Royal Engineer,
With the rank and pay of a Sapper!
When the Flood come along for an extra monsoon,
'Twas Noah constructed the first pontoon
To the plans of Her Majesty's, etc.
But after fatigue in the wet an' the sun,
Old Noah got drunk, which he wouldn't ha' done
If he'd trained with, etc.
When the Tower o' Babel had mixed up men's bat,
Some clever civilian was managing that,
An' none of, etc.
When the Jews had a fight at the foot of a hill,
Young Joshua ordered the sun to stand still,
For he was a Captain of Engineers, etc.
When the Children of Israel made bricks without straw,
They were learnin' the regular work of our Corps,
The work of, etc.
For ever since then, if a war they would wage,
Behold us a-shinin' on history's page —
First page for, etc.
We lay down their sidings an' help 'em entrain,
An' we sweep up their mess through the bloomin' campaign,
In the style of, etc.
They send us in front with a fuse an' a mine
To blow up the gates that are rushed by the Line,
But bent by, etc.
They send us behind with a pick an' a spade,
To dig for the guns of a bullock-brigade
Which has asked for, etc.
We work under escort in trousers and shirt,
An' the heathen they plug us tail-up in the dirt,
Annoying, etc.
We blast out the rock an' we shovel the mud,
We make 'em good roads an' — they roll down the khud,
Reporting, etc.
We make 'em their bridges, their wells, an' their huts,
An' the telegraph-wire the enemy cuts,
An' it's blamed on, etc.
An' when we return, an' from war we would cease,
They grudge us adornin' the billets of peace,
Which are kept for, etc.
We build 'em nice barracks — they swear they are bad,
That our Colonels are Methodist, married or mad,
Insultin', etc.
They haven't no manners nor gratitude too,
For the more that we help 'em, the less will they do,
But mock at, etc.
Now the Line's but a man with a gun in his hand,
An' Cavalry's only what horses can stand,
When helped by, etc.
Artillery moves by the leave o' the ground,
But we are the men that do something all round,
For we are, etc.
I have stated it plain, an' my argument's thus
(“It's all one,” says the Sapper),
There's only one Corps which is perfect — that's us;
An' they call us Her Majesty's Engineers,
Her Majesty's Royal Engineers,
With the rank and pay of a Sapper!
Poem Analysis:
Rudyard Kipling's poem "Sappers" pays tribute to the role and significance of engineers, specifically the Royal Engineers (Sappers), in various historical and military contexts. The poem combines humor, pride, and a touch of sarcasm to shed light on the often uncelebrated work of these engineers. This analysis delves into the poem's themes, structure, and historical references.
Structure and Form:
"Sappers" is written in rhymed. The consistent rhyme scheme and rhythm create a sense of order and clarity in the poem. The use of regular rhyme and meter contrasts with the chaos and unpredictability often associated with warfare, underscoring the engineers' precision and reliability.
Themes:
- Pride in Service: The poem exudes pride in the work of engineers, highlighting their essential contributions to various historical events and military campaigns. It underscores their role as problem solvers and builders, often working behind the scenes to support the troops.
- Historical References: Kipling references several historical events and figures, including Noah and the Flood, the Tower of Babel, Joshua, and the Children of Israel. These references illustrate the enduring presence of engineers throughout history, emphasizing their adaptability and ingenuity.
- Military Service: The poem acknowledges the challenges faced by engineers in military service, including dangerous tasks such as demolition and construction under enemy fire. It reflects the camaraderie and resilience of these soldiers in the face of adversity.
Analysis:
- Noah and the Flood: Kipling humorously suggests that Noah, while constructing the ark, "constructed the first pontoon" according to the plans of Her Majesty's Royal Engineers. This playful assertion highlights the idea that engineers have been problem solvers throughout history, even in non-military contexts.
- The Tower of Babel and Joshua: The references to the Tower of Babel and Joshua's command for the sun to stand still showcase the engineers' involvement in various historical events. The Tower symbolizes the complex projects engineers have managed, while Joshua's order exemplifies their adaptability and resourcefulness.
- The Children of Israel: The poem mentions the Children of Israel making bricks without straw, drawing parallels between their labor and the work of engineers. Both involve overcoming challenges and achieving results through determination and skill.
- The Role of Engineers: Kipling emphasizes the multifaceted role of engineers in warfare, from constructing bridges and roads to handling explosives and repairing infrastructure. The engineers are depicted as problem solvers who play a crucial role in supporting the troops.
- Humor and Sarcasm: The poem employs humor and sarcasm to highlight the engineers' underappreciated work. The repeated refrain, "It's all one," suggests that the contributions of engineers often go unnoticed or unacknowledged, even though they are essential to military operations.
- Unity and Pride: The poem concludes with a sense of unity and pride among the engineers. Despite the challenges and lack of recognition, they take pride in their work and embrace their identity as Her Majesty's Royal Engineers.
In conclusion, Rudyard Kipling's "Sappers" pays tribute to the unsung heroes of the engineering corps, highlighting their historical significance and contributions in various contexts, including military service. The poem combines humor and pride to shed light on the often overlooked but vital work of engineers. It serves as a celebration of their resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to their duties.