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Eileen Thompson's avatar

You've just brought to mind one of my favourite stanzas from The Border Ballads which we studied for 0 Level -

"For Widdrington needs must I moan

As one in doleful dumps,

For when his legs were smitten off

He fought upon his stumps."

(From The Battle of Otterburn I believe)

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Mike O’Brien's avatar

Wow - thanks for sharing that Eileen. I shall be looking it up. You will be pleased to know that my copy of Untermeyer's Golden Treasury of Poetry arrived yesterday. Too late to inform this week's post, but I am devouring it in preparation for my next article.

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Ian Winter's avatar

I hadn’t come across Boots until the reading of it used for the trailer of this year’s 28 Years Later movie. It’s a terrific rendition from 1915 by actor Taylor Holmes and thoroughly portrays the psychological torture of regimental life. The only other reference in my brain was in The Goodies annual from the 1970s, where their company of solicitors was called “Boots, Boots, Boots, Boots, Marchinup and Downagain” – completely went over my young head but I expect they giggled like schoolboys in the writers’ room.

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Mike O’Brien's avatar

Thanks for pointing me in the direction of Taylor Homes's rendition of Boots. He puts some soul into it as it progresses. It is vastly different to the almost cheery version that Mr Johnson had us stomping to. I am going to have to record it and leave it somewhere on here.

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Alex Oliver's avatar

Fascination account of a teacher who’s an example to them all. Slavishly copying or doing homework etc never compare with engagement.

I like your observations too; noting such as the perjorative use of words eg nigger). Funny how along with stereotyping people jump to negative conclusions - trying to get words banned and condemning those who use them.

Funny thing different times: the popular mood or view can be blindly accepted, even while the over sensitive note any inhumanity : ie we have the Wherewithall from mesolithic times but certain enforcers insist on perverting it. Things like the only good kraut is a dead one. Not that mesofolk divided the map quite the same…

I would in closing have changed my name from Palgrave if I wrote for children. Might as well be Deadmates.

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Mike O’Brien's avatar

Never thought of Palgrave’s name like that. It was probably his alias. His real name could well have been Chumtomb.

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Alex Oliver's avatar

Fascinating damn silly corrective IOU!

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Christiana White's avatar

Charming article that gave me a lot to think about, and a portal to other times and ways. Thank you!

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Mike O’Brien's avatar

Thank you Christina. I’m really happy that you found something in it. :)

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Eileen Thompson's avatar

👍😁

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book of jobe's avatar

Bless the teachers.

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Sarah O'Grady's avatar

Ahh. The Naming of Parts.. Henry Reed & Kubla Khan. I was lucky enough to get Heaney at home.

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Mike O’Brien's avatar

I love The Naming of Parts, really keen observation and commentary.

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