Rudyard Kipling's stirring reply to the left's loathing of the US military [Tommy]

BrookesNews.com ^ | 6/7/04

[LibWhacker]

Rudyard Kipling

Tommy

I went into a public-'ouse to get a pint o'beer,
The publican 'e up an' sez, "We serve no red-coats here."
The girls be'ind the bar they laughed an' giggled fit to die,
I outs into the street again an' to myself sez I:

O it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, go away";
But it's ``Thank you, Mister Atkins,'' when the band begins to play,
The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play,
O it's ``Thank you, Mr. Atkins,'' when the band begins to play.

I went into a theatre as sober as could be,
They gave a drunk civilian room, but 'adn't none for me;
They sent me to the gallery or round the music-'alls,
But when it comes to fightin', Lord! they'll shove me in the stalls!

For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, wait outside";
But it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide,
The troopship's on the tide, my boys, the troopship's on the tide,
O it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide.

Yes, makin' mock o' uniforms that guard you while you sleep
Is cheaper than them uniforms, an' they're starvation cheap;
An' hustlin' drunken soldiers when they're goin' large a bit
Is five times better business than paradin' in full kit.

Then it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy how's yer soul?"
But it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll,
The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll,
O it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll.

We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints:
Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints;

While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, fall be'ind,"
But it's "Please to walk in front, sir," when there's trouble in the wind,
There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind,
O it's "Please to walk in front, sir," when there's trouble in the wind.

You talk o' better food for us, an' schools, an' fires an' all:
We'll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational.
Don't mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face
The Widow's Uniform is not the soldier-man's disgrace.

For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Chuck him out, the brute!"
But it's "Saviour of 'is country," when the guns begin to shoot;
An' it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' anything you please;
But Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool - you bet that Tommy sees!

[steplock]

The truth then, as now.

The military knows who really appreciates their service to the country

[Riley]

As a former Jarhead, I'm fond of Kipling's 'Tommy'.

As a product of the times in which I live though, I wandered into a Country-Western joint one day after duty, in my summer-service Charlies. This was back in Gentleman Ron's term of office. The place was Mickey's, on Clayton Road in Concord, California. My money was no good- even when I tried to quietly corner the barmaid out of sight of the other patrons.

If, by any amazing coincidence, you happened to be there that day, thank you. Your goodwill was well noted, appreciated, and passed on to those with whom I served.

[dcwusmc]

I'm still in the Bay area and ALSO a top-notch 'puter tech (with CCSP classroom training...) I was here during a lot of Ron's tenure and I was PROUD to serve under him. Semper fi, Bro.

[dcwusmc]

I'm still in the Bay area and ALSO a top-notch 'puter tech (with CCSP classroom training...)looking for work. I was here during a lot of Ron's tenure and I was PROUD to serve under him. Semper fi, Bro.

[Riley]

And to you, brother.

I am in Virginia now. Feel as if I have two homes. Born in Marin County and lived in Antioch for the last fifteen years. Missing it terribly right now.

[Travis McGee]

BTTT!

[LibWhacker]

I've driven by there a few times but, no, I wasn't there that day, I'm sorry to say, or you would've had a drink or two on me as well. Thanks for your service!

[Riley]

LOL! I was lucky to make it home as it was!

Thank you, but it was somewhat unwarranted. My service was spectaculary unspectacular. I did my little hitch, and went home. The only fire I ever took was in Alameda, as a security guard, after I was out. Some little criminal nitwit thought that was a Sheriff's Deputy. Fortunately, he didn't understand sight alignment, sight picture or breath control. Probably holding the thing sideways, for that matter.

I hate idiots that can't shoot. Even when it is to my direct benefit.

[jnarcus]

I have always loved Kipling and this poem is one of mu very favorites. I can still here my father reading it to me and telling me how important it is to honor our men in uniform

[Chapita]

Tommy always has been one of my favorite Kipling poems!

[johnb838]

Like Reagan, the older I get the more I understand Kipling, can relate to him, and appreciate him. I remember my dad reading Kipling to me and thinking it was old and irrelevant. Ha!