A Song of the White Men Poem by Rudyard Kipling
A Song of the White Men
1899
Now, this is the cup the White Men drink
When they go to right a wrong,
And that is the cup of the old world's hate-
Cruel and strained and strong.
We have drunk that cup- and a bitter, bitter cup-
And tossed the dregs away.
But well for the world when the White Men drink
To the dawn of the White Man's day!
Now, this is the road that the White Men tread
When they go to clean a land-
Iron underfoot and levin overhead
And the deep on either hand.
We have trod that road- and a wet and windy road-
Our chosen star for guide.
Oh, well for the world when the White Men tread
Their highway side by side!
Now, this is the faith that the White Men hold-
When they build their homes afar-
'Freedom for ourselves and freedom for our sons
And, failing freedom, War.'
We have proved our faith- bear witness to our faith,
Dear souls of freemen slain!
Oh, well for the world when the White Men join
To prove their faith again!
Beautiful narration of the spirit of white men who had once worked for, freedom for ourselves and freedom for our sons only. Beautifully crafted realistic poem by a master spirit. Thanks for sharing.
The poem is marred by white racism, which can only be partly explained by the times in which Kipling lived. There is an assumption that White Men are superior to other races in every way-what they drink, the roads they tread, the faith they share. I cannot agree with Kipling's assertions here.
I know that Rudyard Kipling is famous-to-notorious for his phrase, the white man's burden and for his jingoism; but he remains memorable for me for his mystical Indian story. 'Miracle of Puran Bhagat', the novel, 'Kim' and the remarkable poem, 'Recessional', which 'The Times' of London published in its edit page on Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee,1897. I like to consider Kipling as pleading for cultural and humane values, addressing all humans regardless of skin pigmentation, ethnic, national or credal variations. AM
This poem is absolutely disgusting. It should not have been posted.
trod that road.....failing freedom, War. Succinct reminder from a sage.
Faith-bear witness! ! Thanks for sharing this poem with us.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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4/23/2024 2:22:00 PM # 1.0.0.1119
Our chosen star for guide.... thanks for posting