poem room ballads received wide critical popular acclaim regarded significant pieces early verse poem ballad describes execution british soldier india murder execution viewed regiment watch poem composed comments exchange hanged context poem published february scots observer america later year printed shortly generally read set india gives details actual situation research suggested poem written specific incident mind execution private number details execution correspond occasion described poem later story similar basis story apparently wrote early year india years execution wrote large amounts occasional verse usually added note beneath title giving context poem notes cleared poem written month suggests thought inspired specific incident possible remembered case summary form dialogue young inexperienced soldier soldiers given suggesting group experienced older colour sergeant setting execution generally presumed india soldier tried sentenced death murdering fellow soldier sleep battalion hanging procedure strengthened discipline unit process helped inexperienced soldiers sight death young soldier unaware happening asks blowing sergeant looks pale told hanged regiment drawn square presses sergeant second verse people breathing hard men collapsing signs effect watching hanging men regiment explained away sergeant cold weather bright sun voice keeping young soldier calm sight death sergeant calm voice combat verse files thinks saying slept alongside drank sergeant reminds sleeps far night reminds soldier magnitude crime shot look face county regiment disgrace roughly number men single infantry battalion regiments formed local lines county emphasised crime black mark regiment comrades fourth verse comes hanging files sees body sun feels soul overhead term reflects ranks watch die finally sergeant moves men away directly mentioned poem marched past corpse reflecting recruits shaking ordeal want beer day structure poem composed line verses containing dialogue voices said turn turn said makes look white white said got watch said hear dead march play regiment square day taken buttons cut stripes away immediately noticeable poem written vernacular english appear common feature work time unusual published works written voice common soldier speech direct representation single dialect serves clear effect working class english voice period note taken buttons deliberate error add speech refers ceremony military degradation man executed formally stripped marks rank stripes significant parts uniform buttons bore regimental crest verses consist questions asked files answered response form lines sergeant explaining interpretations second lines taken spoken voice file parade poem rhythm rhyme scheme reinforce idea drilling infantry giving effect feet marching generally perfectly poem overall meter line verses slightly lesser extent chorus features syllables additional emphasis fit rhythm left left left right left marching lines end word feature rhyme scheme slightly lighter syllables force pace march despite somber mood text poem final chorus noted imperfect rhyme scheme parade said rhyme strongly contributing effect slight supporting feel large number men marching harmony critical reaction seen powerful early works greeted acclaim published professor literature reported magazine appeared students crying literature literature editor said danced wooden leg received text later commented noted interests critical audience today tragedy called poem technically content remarkable holding best ballads writing shortly death critical opinion poetry low point nonetheless drew attention significant work discussing low critical opinion essay considered example worst vital pleasure like taste cheap people secretly carry middle life felt work example described good bad poetry verse essentially vulgar undeniably seductive sign emotional overlap intellectual ordinary man music room ballads suggests songs soldiers written share form style traditional army songs pay attention works noted contrast songs sailors thought collecting genuine soldiers songs wrote traditional style recognised traditional fond singing poetry writing fit rhythm particular tune specific case musical source suggested army song bill sailor possible popular tune period ballads published music quickly adapted sung new musical settings written musical setting described favourite song encountered tune entitled hanging morning date dozen published recordings known tune hanging morning played end day classes repeated year making oldest campus traditions song referenced book starship hangs murder main character basic training
Danny Deever