To get betimes in Boston town I rose this morning early,
Here’s a good place at the corner, I must stand and see the show.
Clear the way there Jonathan!
Way for the President’s marshal — way for the government cannon!
Way for the Federal foot and dragoons, (and the apparitions copiously tumbling.)
I love to look on the Stars and Stripes, I hope the fifes will play Yankee Doodle.
How bright shine the cutlasses of the foremost troops!
Every man holds his revolver, marching stiff through Boston town.
A fog follows, antiques of the same come limping,
Some appear wooden-legged, and some appear bandaged and bloodless.
Why this is indeed a show — it has called the dead out of the earth!
The old graveyards of the hills have hurried to see!
Phantoms! phantoms countless by flank and rear!
Cock’d hats of mothy mould — crutches made of mist!
Arms in slings — old men leaning on young men’s shoulders.
What troubles you Yankee phantoms? what is all this chattering of bare gums?
Does the ague convulse your limbs? do you mistake your crutches for firelocks and level them?
If you blind your eyes with tears you will not see the President’s marshal,
If you groan such groans you might balk the government cannon.
For shame old maniacs — bring down those toss’d arms, and let your white hair be,
Here gape your great grandsons, their wives gaze at them from the windows,
See how well dress’d, see how orderly they conduct themselves.
Worse and worse — can’t you stand it? are you retreating?
Is this hour with the living too dead for you?
Retreat then — pell-mell!
To your graves — back — back to the hills old limpers!
I do not think you belong here anyhow.
But there is one thing that belongs here — shall I tell you what it is, gentlemen of Boston?
I will whisper it to the Mayor, he shall send a committee to England,
They shall get a grant from the Parliament, go with a cart to the royal vault,
Dig out King George’s coffin, unwrap him quick from the graveclothes, box up his bones for a journey,
Find a swift Yankee clipper — here is freight for you, black-bellied clipper,
Up with your anchor — shake out your sails — steer straight toward Boston bay.
Now call for the President’s marshal again, bring out the government cannon,
Fetch home the roarers from Congress, make another procession, guard it with foot and dragoons.
This centre-piece for them;
Look, all orderly citizens — look from the windows, women!
The committee open the box, set up the regal ribs, glue those that will not stay,
Clap the skull on top of the ribs, and clap a crown on top of the skull.
You have got your revenge, old buster — the crown is come to its own, and more than its own.
Stick your hands in your pockets, Jonathan — you are a made man from this day,
You are mighty cute — and here is one of your bargains.
Poem Analysis:
"A Boston Ballad" by Walt Whitman is a poignant and satirical exploration of American identity, political spectacle, and historical memory. Through vivid imagery and sharp commentary, Whitman critiques the glorification of power and the manipulation of symbols for political ends.
Setting the Scene: Whitman begins the poem with the speaker rising early in Boston to witness a grand procession featuring the President's marshal, government cannon, and Federal troops. The scene is charged with anticipation and patriotic fervor.
Spectacle and Irony: As the procession unfolds, Whitman introduces a cast of characters, including ghosts of the past and elderly veterans. The spectacle becomes surreal as the ghosts of dead soldiers emerge from the graveyards to witness the parade. Whitman employs irony to highlight the absurdity of using military displays to evoke national pride.
Critique of War and Power: Through the imagery of bandaged soldiers and elderly veterans, Whitman critiques the glorification of war and the toll it takes on individuals and society. He questions the motives behind military parades and suggests that they serve to obscure the true costs of conflict.
Subversion of Symbols: Whitman subverts traditional symbols of power and authority, such as the President's marshal and the government cannon. He exposes the hollowness of these symbols and suggests that they are used to manipulate public sentiment rather than uphold democratic ideals.
Call for Reflection: In the final stanza, Whitman offers a provocative suggestion: to exhume the remains of King George III and bring them to Boston as a symbol of American triumph over British tyranny. This act, he suggests, would be the ultimate revenge and a fitting tribute to American independence.
Themes of National Identity: Through "A Boston Ballad," Whitman explores themes of national identity and collective memory. He challenges his readers to critically examine the narratives and symbols that shape American identity and to confront the complexities of the nation's history.
In conclusion, "A Boston Ballad" is a powerful indictment of political spectacle and the manipulation of symbols for ideological ends. Whitman's poem invites readers to reflect on the true meaning of patriotism and to consider the costs of war and power. It remains a timeless commentary on the intersection of politics, memory, and national identity.
