So you were David's father,
And he was your only son,
And the new-cut peats are rotting
And the work is left undone,
Because of an old man weeping,
Just an old man in pain,
For David, his son David,
That will not come again.
Oh, the letters he wrote you,
And I can see them still,
Not a word of the fighting
But just the sheep on the hill
And how you should get the crops in
Ere the year got stormier,
And the Bosches have got his body,
And I was his officer.
You were only David's father,
But I had fifty sons
When we went up that evening
Under the arch of the guns,
And we came back at twilight
- O God! I heard them call
To me for help and pity
That could not help at all.
Oh, never will I forget you,
My men that trusted me,
More my sons than your fathers'
For they could only see
The little helpless babies
And the young men in their pride.
They could not see you dying
And hold you while you died.
Happy and young and gallant,
they saw their first born go,
But not the strong limbs broken
And the beautiful men brought low,
The piteous writhing bodies,
They screamed, "Don't leave me Sir,"
For they were only fathers
But I was your officer.
Notes
In Memoriam
Private D. Sutherland Killed in Action in the German Trench,
May 16th 1916, and the Others who Died.
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Comments
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This I feel is a simple poem, written by a simple man, not at all like the ones portrayed as the asses who lead young men to pointless slaughter, but one who cared.I do not know if i agree that it demeans the fathers role in this, perhaps the line You were only Davids father gives that impression I see it as one who could not quite put down how he felt losing what he considered 50 sons , of which David was but one.
One can see what he was trying to get at, the real fathers only saw the good side of their lives , where as he had to witness the horror and brutality they endured before , and in death.He was seeing a different person.
I think that the last line shows the guilt he felt at not being able to protect them,as would a father.
There maybe a little short coming in the poems compilation but not in the deep feelings of the author
Mackintosh carried David through 100 yards of enemy lines on the way back, with the Germans in pursuit, it was only when David died that his body was left behind
Edited on Nov 10, 10:47 because ''. -
I read this poem now for a second time and although I stand by my previous comment regarding the last line I have had a slight change of thought since finding out more of the writer. Mackintosh, who turned down the chance to return to Britain as an instructor but he preferred to stay with his men, which led to his death in the battle of Cambrai, November 21, 1917, at the age of 24.
This poem describes his feelings whilst writing to the father of a young trooper, Private David Sutherland. Mackintosh had attempted to save the wounded private under heavy fire, and had failed, but was decorated for gallantry in the attempt. Mackintosh was also awarded the Military Cross at the Somme.
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So poignant but it rings so true. I don't believe that the commanding officer would have grieved as much as 'only a Father' would. I do feel that this particular line somehow belittles the Father's role. However the story line is easy to follow but is let down by the last line. - It doesn't 'sit' correctly.
Von
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