I killed a man at Graspan

[lou]

Does any one know all the words for the poem 'I killed a man at Graspan'. I think it was written by ?Martin Glover. I heard it at teh National this year.

[zondrae]

evening Lou,

The man who recited this poem at the National was Peter Mace. I'm sorry I don't know the author or the words but Peter may see this and offer advice. Peter was awarded the National Champion for his performance of this very poem.

Welcome to the site. Are you going to post your 'Homework' poem here for everyone to read? Hope so. 

[lou]

Hi Zondrae!
I made it - I'm on-line!!!
I've posted my 'Tattoos' - took me some trial and error, but now I think I've got the hang of it. Do I still send it off to Tony for when we all get together on Wednesdays(!). I know, some of us are there in spirit.
I heard Peter Mace recite 'I Killed a man at Graspan' and was really taken by it. I think everyone must have. I did a search on the internet and found a ?photo'd copy it it but it was way too difficult to read. Itried making it bigger but still no good.
Lou

[zondrae]

Hi Lou,

Yes, if you don't mind, please email Tony your poem. If no one comes up with these words I can get them for you via another friend. Let me know.

[lou]

I found it! It's written by M. Grover and it's in relation to the Boer war:


I Killed a Man at Graspan (by M. Grover)

I killed a man at Graspan
I killed him fair in a fight;
And the Empire's poets and the Empire's priests
Swear blind I acted right.
The Empire's poets and the Empire's priests
Make out my deed was fine,
But they can't stop the eyes of the man I killed
From starin' into mine.

I killed a man at Graspan
Maybe I killed a score;
But this one wasn't a chance-shot home,
From a thousand yards or more.
I fired at him when he'd got no show;
We were only a pace apart,
With the cordite scorchin' his old worn coat
As the bullet drilled his heart

I killed a man at Graspan,
I killed him fightin' fair;
We came on each other face to face,
An' we went at it then and there.
Mine was the trigger that shifted first,
He was the life that sped.
An' a man I'd never a quarrel with
Was spread on the boulders dead.

I killed a man at Graspan;
I watched him squirmin' still
He raised his eyes, an' they met with mine;
An' there they're star'n still.
Cut of my brother Tom, he looked,
Hardly more'n a kid;
An' Christ! he was stiffenin' at my feet
Because of the thing I did.

I killed a man at Graspan;
I told the camp that night;
An' of all the lies that I ever told
That was the poorest skite.
I swore I was proud of my hand-to-hand,
An' the Boer I'd chanced to pot,
An' all the time I'd ha' given my eyes
To never ha' fired that shot.

I killed a man at Graspan;
An hour ago about,
For there he lies with his starin' eyes
An' his blood still tricklin' out.
I know it was either him or me,
I know that I killed him fair,
But, all the same, wherever I look,
The man that I killed is there.

I killed a man at Graspan;
My first an, God! my last;
Harder to dodge than my bullet is
The look that his dead eyes cast.
If the Empire asks for me later on
It'll ask for me in vain,
Before I reach to my bandolier
To fire on a man again.

[zondrae]

good one Lou,

Did you see Peter Mace recite this at the National this year? No wonder he took out the championship.  I don't think there was a dry eye in the tent.

[lou]

Hi Zondrae,

Yes, I did see Peter Mace recite this - I was one of those without a dry eye. He was incredible - his intonation and use of voice just terrific. I had an ulterior motive too as I'm teaching a unit to year 10 on war poetry in the next couple of weeks. This is a good one and after hearing Peter read it I feel I'm better equipped with the tone and some of the stresses for the kids. I can't read it without hearing Peter's voice. I'm hoping the kids won't be dry eyed either.

Lou