Talk:Joining the Colours

The title Joining The Colours is used to tell us that war brings together all different men and that in war, race, beliefs and sexuality does not matter.

In the first stanza, the first line: There they go marching all in step so gay is saying that all the boys are happy they are going to war and that they bare all putting the same brave face on. On the second line where it says Smooth-Cheeked And Golden It is saying that the people who are getting onto the train are young because younger people have smoother skin which normally has a golden glow. also on the second line it says food for shells and guns this is saying that the lads are going to war just to be killed. the last two lines say Blithely they go as to a wedding day and The mothers' sons. this is emphasizes that they are young because they are still there mothers sons, which means they aren't grown up and because they think that war is fun, it shows that they are naive and young.

In the second stanza the first line says that because of the war everything is boring and bleak The drab street but also the streets are drab because Hinkson is making the background reflect the mood of the women that are waving them goodbye. on the second line On the high tram-tops, singing like the lark it shows that the people are young because they are singing and having fun even though they are going to die. also a high tram-top is an old tram but without the roof. the last two lines too careless- gay for courage, singing the go and into the dark are saying that they are carelessly happy cover up for their lack of bravery and the into the dark means that they are going into unknown territory.

the third stanza is a little more confusing. the first two lines With tin whistles, mouth -organs, any noise and They pipe the way to glory and the grave. this is saying that they are making as much noise as they can to lead them to war and the glory of fighting for their country but also it is saying that when they fight for their country they will die for it as well. the last two lines Foolish and young, the gay and the golden boys and Love cannot save. is saying that the lads who go to fight in the war are young and foolish because the line also says that they are happy. it also pushes on the fact that no man goes to fight in the war, just naive boys. also the last line says that even though the parents are praying for the boys to be safe, their prays are in vain because there love cannot save them and they are most probably going to die.

The last stanza says on the first two lines say that the boys probably wont come back to see the girls that they said goodbye to: The poor girls they kissed Run with them: They shall kiss no mare, alas! this is also saying that the boys are going to die at war and thats why they wont see the women agian. also the last two lines Out of the mist the stepped - into the mist Singing they pass. is saying that when they are going into their deaths.

P.s. The Poem Is:

There they go marching all in step so gay! Smooth-cheeked and golden, food for shells and guns. Blithely they go as to a wedding day, the mothers' sons.

The drab street lights stares to see them row on row On the high tram-tops, singing like the lark. Too careless-gay for courage, singing they go Into the dark.

With tin whistles, mouth-organs, any noise, they pipe the way to glory and the grave; Foolish and young, the gay and golden boys Love cannot save.

High heart! High courage! The poor girls they kissed Run with them: they shall kiss no more, alas! Out of the mist they stepped - into the mist Singing they pass.

Written By Hannah Winley. Please send comments to Winlh001@sgfl.org.uk xx