The poem
"Far I hear the bugle blow To call me where I would not go, And the guns begin the song, 'Soldier, fly or stay for long.'
"Comrade, if to turn and fly Made a soldier never die, Fly I would, for who would not? 'Tis sure no pleasure to be shot.
"But since the man that runs away Lives to die another day, And cowards' funerals, when they come, Are not wept so well at home,
"Therefore, though the best is bad, Stand and do the best, my lad; Stand and fight and see your slain, And take the bullet in your brain."
As my teenage son prepares to join the British Army, I ask myself is there ever a need for war! My Grandfather died in the second world war, but a lad himself, neither my dad or myself knew him. Please God look after my son xx
Much of Houseman's poetry is a condemnation of pointless death in wars to defend a society that has little or no regard for the soldiers that defend it.
Contrast that to Epitaph on an Army of Mercenaries, where he recognizes the pivotal role of the BEF in 1914, who "saved the sum of things for pay", the last being his ironic comment on the Kaiser's labelling the BEF as mercenaries. I think it is fair to conclude that most wars are better avoided but some are necessary, sometimes there must be those who will hold the sky suspended and keep our foundations intact. Imagine if nobody had fought Hitler.
Praise
This poem spoke to me in a way that poetry has never done. I am a high school who has thought about the join the armed forces. But after reading this poem, I have made my choice and am not going to go that route. It is not for me and glad I have made up my mind. Thank You A. E. Housman