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Poem
June 5, 1918
Daily Capital Journal
Salem, Marion County, Oregon
What is this article about?
Satirical poem by Walt Mason mocking the boastful threats of German leaders like Hindenburg and Kaiser Wilhelm during WWI, portraying their words as empty bluster while affirming Allied resolve and amusement in the face of enemy plans.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
Rippling Rhymes
by Walt Mason
BIG TALK
The foe is always spieling in loud majestic tones, and hopes he is congealing the marrow in our bones; in language high-falutin he twists the truth askew; the Austrian is tootin', the Teuton tootin' too. Old Hindenburg was boasting, in his fat Teuton way, through Paris he'd be coasting upon a certain day. The certain day was cheery, though rather cool and wet, but Hindenburg was leary---he hasn't got there yet.
Big things they're always planning, the Prussians in command, and we take pleasure canning the mighty things they've planned. It's always been a habit of chesty Kaiser Bill. to think the foe a rabbit. whom sounding words would kill. "Your Uncle Sam had better," he said to Brer Gerard. "lie low, or, donnerwetter! I'll jolt him pretty hard!" Forever, always bluffing! 'Twill be the Teuton way, until we knock the stuffing from him, and eke the whey. Big words and scowls tremendous may scare a sheep, mayhap, but they will only lend us amusement while we scrap. I'm feeling pretty skittish," said Bill, "so, dead game sports; let's clean up all the British, and take the channel ports." To bragging he is given, he'll brag the long months through, he'll brag until we've riven the tootin' Teut in two.
by Walt Mason
BIG TALK
The foe is always spieling in loud majestic tones, and hopes he is congealing the marrow in our bones; in language high-falutin he twists the truth askew; the Austrian is tootin', the Teuton tootin' too. Old Hindenburg was boasting, in his fat Teuton way, through Paris he'd be coasting upon a certain day. The certain day was cheery, though rather cool and wet, but Hindenburg was leary---he hasn't got there yet.
Big things they're always planning, the Prussians in command, and we take pleasure canning the mighty things they've planned. It's always been a habit of chesty Kaiser Bill. to think the foe a rabbit. whom sounding words would kill. "Your Uncle Sam had better," he said to Brer Gerard. "lie low, or, donnerwetter! I'll jolt him pretty hard!" Forever, always bluffing! 'Twill be the Teuton way, until we knock the stuffing from him, and eke the whey. Big words and scowls tremendous may scare a sheep, mayhap, but they will only lend us amusement while we scrap. I'm feeling pretty skittish," said Bill, "so, dead game sports; let's clean up all the British, and take the channel ports." To bragging he is given, he'll brag the long months through, he'll brag until we've riven the tootin' Teut in two.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
What themes does it cover?
War Military
Political
Patriotism
What keywords are associated?
Wwi Satire
German Boasting
Hindenburg
Kaiser Bill
Allied Confidence
What entities or persons were involved?
Walt Mason
Poem Details
Title
Big Talk
Author
Walt Mason
Subject
Satire On German Boasting In World War I
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
The Foe Is Always Spieling In Loud Majestic Tones, And Hopes He Is Congealing The Marrow In Our Bones;
Old Hindenburg Was Boasting, In His Fat Teuton Way, Through Paris He'd Be Coasting Upon A Certain Day.
Forever, Always Bluffing! 'Twill Be The Teuton Way, Until We Knock The Stuffing From Him, And Eke The Whey.