Prose & Poetry - The Muse in Arms - The Drum
Updated - Saturday, 21 June, 2003

First published in London in November 1917 and reprinted in February 1918 The Muse in Arms comprised, in the words of editor E. B. Osborne:

"A collection of war poems, for the most part written in the field of action, by seamen, soldiers, and flying men who are serving, or have served, in the Great War".

Below is one of seven poems featured within the Songs section of the collection.  You can access other poems within the section via the sidebar to the right.

The Drum
by Joseph Lee

"Come to me, and I will give you flesh" - Old Pibrochadh

Come!
Says the drum;
Though graves be hollow,
Yet follow, follow:
Come!
Says the drum.

Life!
Shrills the fife,
Is in strife -
Leave love and wife:
Come!
Says the drum.

Ripe!
Screams the pipe,
Is the field -
Swords and not sickles wield:
Come!
Says the drum.

The drum
Says, Come!
Though graves be hollow,
Yet follow, follow:
Come!
Says the drum.

A "Jack Johnson" was slang for a large artillery shell.

Original Material © Michael Duffy 2000-07, SafeSurf Rated