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Poem
August 28, 1894
The Cheyenne Daily Leader
Cheyenne, Laramie County, Wyoming
What is this article about?
A soldier laments the death of his best friend and comrade in arms, reflecting on the horse's grief, the girl's quick remarriage, their fight, and the funeral procession in a military march. By Rudyard Kipling.
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
"FOLLOW ME 'OME."
There was no one like 'im, 'orse or foot,
Nor any o' the guns I knew.
And because it was so, why, o' course he wept
an' died,
Which is just what the best men do.
So it's knock out your pipes an' follow me,
An' it's finish up your swipes an' follow me.
Oh, 'ark to the big drum callin',
Follow me—follow me 'ome!
'Is mare she neighs the 'ole day long,
She paws the 'ole night through,
An' she won't take 'er feed 'cause o' waitin' for
'is step
Which is just what a beast would do.
'Is girl she goes with a bombardier
Before 'er month is through;
An' the banns are up in church, for she's got the
beggar hooked.
Which is just what a girl would do.
We fought 'bout a dog—last week it were—
No more than a round or two,
But I strook 'im cruel 'ard, an' I wish I 'adn't
now.
Which is just what a man can't do.
'E was all that I 'ad in the way of a friend,
An' I've 'ad to find one new.
But I'd give my pay an' stripe for to get the
beggar back,
Which it's just too late to do.
So it's knock out your pipes an' follow me,
An' it's finish off your swipes an' follow me.
Oh, 'ark to the fife a-callin',
Follow me—follow me 'ome!
Take 'im away! 'E's gone where the best men
go.
Take 'im away!
An' the gun wheels turnin' slow.
Take 'im away!
There's more from the place 'e come.
Take 'im away, with the limber an' the drum.
For it's "Three rounds blank" an' follow me,
An' it's "Thirteen rank" an' follow me.
Oh, passin' the love o' woman,
Follow me—follow me 'ome!
—Rudyard Kipling.
There was no one like 'im, 'orse or foot,
Nor any o' the guns I knew.
And because it was so, why, o' course he wept
an' died,
Which is just what the best men do.
So it's knock out your pipes an' follow me,
An' it's finish up your swipes an' follow me.
Oh, 'ark to the big drum callin',
Follow me—follow me 'ome!
'Is mare she neighs the 'ole day long,
She paws the 'ole night through,
An' she won't take 'er feed 'cause o' waitin' for
'is step
Which is just what a beast would do.
'Is girl she goes with a bombardier
Before 'er month is through;
An' the banns are up in church, for she's got the
beggar hooked.
Which is just what a girl would do.
We fought 'bout a dog—last week it were—
No more than a round or two,
But I strook 'im cruel 'ard, an' I wish I 'adn't
now.
Which is just what a man can't do.
'E was all that I 'ad in the way of a friend,
An' I've 'ad to find one new.
But I'd give my pay an' stripe for to get the
beggar back,
Which it's just too late to do.
So it's knock out your pipes an' follow me,
An' it's finish off your swipes an' follow me.
Oh, 'ark to the fife a-callin',
Follow me—follow me 'ome!
Take 'im away! 'E's gone where the best men
go.
Take 'im away!
An' the gun wheels turnin' slow.
Take 'im away!
There's more from the place 'e come.
Take 'im away, with the limber an' the drum.
For it's "Three rounds blank" an' follow me,
An' it's "Thirteen rank" an' follow me.
Oh, passin' the love o' woman,
Follow me—follow me 'ome!
—Rudyard Kipling.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ballad
Song
What themes does it cover?
War Military
Death Mourning
Friendship
What keywords are associated?
Kipling
Soldier Death
Military Funeral
Comrade Lament
Barrack Room Ballad
What entities or persons were involved?
Rudyard Kipling
Poem Details
Title
"Follow Me 'Ome."
Author
Rudyard Kipling
Subject
Lament For A Fallen Comrade
Key Lines
So It's Knock Out Your Pipes An' Follow Me,
An' It's Finish Up Your Swipes An' Follow Me.
Oh, 'Ark To The Big Drum Callin',
Follow Me—Follow Me 'Ome!
Take 'Im Away! 'E's Gone Where The Best Men Go.