Posted on 04/07/2016 1:39:13 PM PDT by jumpingcholla34
I am reasonably certain that Kipling wrote both but (I believe) Kipling changed ‘Saxon’ to ‘English’ at the time of WW1 when the pro-war fervor was at its height. However, I cannot find certainty in a quick internet search so take it for a belief of mine.
We could do with a resurgence of Kipling, he is an author severely maligned by the ignorant and malicious.
Loved Kojak. Never cared for NYPD.
Macdonough's Song
"As easy as A B C"--A Diversity of Creatures"
Whether the State can loose and bind
In Heaven as well as on Earth:
If it be wiser to kill mankind
Before or after the birth--
These are matters of high concern
Where State-kept schoolmen are;
But Holy State (we have lived to learn)
Endeth in Holy War.
Whether The People be led by The Lord,
Or lured by the loudest throat:
If it be quicker to die by the sword
Or cheaper to die by vote--
These are things we have dealt with once,
(And they will not rise from their grave)
For Holy People, however it runs,
Endeth in wholly Slave.
Whatsoever, for any cause,
Seeketh to take or give
Power above or beyond the Laws,
Suffer it not to live!
Holy State or Holy King--
Or Holy People's Will--
Have no truck with the senseless thing.
Order the guns and kill!
Saying --after--me:--
Once there was The People--Terror gave it birth;
Once there was The People and it made a Hell of Earth Earth arose and crushed it. Listen, 0 ye slain!
Once there was The People--it shall never be again!
Could be.
I checked my book, it shows “1914-18”.
He might have written it “Saxon” before that unfortunate incident with the Archduke, and then changed it to “English” later.
Shutguns. Kills feral animals dead.
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