History & Politics

Bobs

by Rudyard Kipling 1865–1936

From Barrack-Room Ballads

History & Politics

There's a little red-faced man,
Which is Bobs,
Rides the tallest 'orse 'e can —
Our Bobs.

If it bucks or kicks or rears,
'E can sit for twenty years
With a smile round both 'is ears —
Can't yer, Bobs?

Then 'ere's to Bobs Bahadur — little Bobs, Bobs, Bobs!
'E's our pukka Kandahader —
Fightin' Bobs, Bobs, Bobs!

'E's the Dook of Aggy Chel;
'E's the man that done us well,
An' we'll follow 'im to 'ell —
Won't we, Bobs?

If a limber's slipped a trace,
'Ook on Bobs.
If a marker's lost 'is place,
Dress by Bobs.

For 'e's eyes all up 'is coat,
An' a bugle in 'is throat,
An' you will not play the goat
Under Bobs.

'E's a little down on drink
Chaplain Bobs;
But it keeps us outer Clink —
Don't it, Bobs?

So we will not complain
Tho' 'e's water on the brain,
If 'e leads us straight again —
Blue-light Bobs.

If you stood 'im on 'is head,
Father Bobs,
You could spill a quart of lead
Outer Bobs.

'E's been at it thirty years,
An-amassin' souveneers
In the way o' slugs an' spears —
Ain't yer Bobs?

What 'e does not know o' war,
Gen'ral Bobs,
You can arst the shop next door —
Can't they, Bobs?

Oh, 'e's little but he's wise;
'E's terror for 'is size,
An' 'e — does — not — advertize —
Do yer, Bobs?

Now they've made a bloomin' Lord
Outer Bobs,
Which was but 'is fair reward —
Weren't it, Bobs?

So I'll wear a coronet
Where 'is 'elmet used to set;
But we know you won't forget —
Will yer, Bobs?

Then 'ere's to Bobs Bahadur — little Bobs, Bobs, Bobs,
Pocket-Wellin'ton 'an arder —
Fightin' Bobs, Bobs, Bobs!

This ain't no bloomin' ode,
But you've 'elped the soldier's load,
An' for benefits bestowed,
Bless yer, Bobs!

✦ ✦ ✦

(Field Marshal Lord Roberts of Kandahar)

MLA

Kipling, Rudyard. “Bobs.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/kipling/405/.

Chicago

Kipling, Rudyard. “Bobs.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/kipling/405/.

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