The Ballad of Tommy Atkins

By: Rudyard Kipling

Narrated by: Phillip J. Mather

Length: 3 mins

Publisher's summary

The Ballad of Tommy Atkins was first published as “Tommy” in Kipling’s timeless Barrack-Room Ballads and Other Verses in the 1890s. "Tommy Atkins", or simply Tommy, was a generic name applied to British soldiers from as early as the 18th century, but came into popular parlance during the First World War when troops were simply referred to as “Tommies”. The ballad exposes the bitterness felt by the British soldier to the public’s treatment of their forces in times of peace, and how that alters in wartime.

Public Domain (P)2014 Phillip J Mather

British With Soul

Where does The Ballad of Tommy Atkins rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Short but sweet. This audiobook is an excellent short listen add to any library

Have you listened to any of Phillip J. Mather’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have enjoyed many of Phillips performances, and this is no different. Delivered with authentic British style, Phillip's performance epitomizes Kipling's heart.

Any additional comments?

As usual, Phillip Mather's performance enhances the text with brilliant flair.

Excellent

This is one of my favorite poems. I hope that other veterans get to hear this reading.
An old Jack Tar from the 60s and 70s; and like Tommy, Jack still sees.

A Love Poem For The Regular Soldier

In this remarkable poem by Kipling, the viewpoint is that of a regular soldier as he decries the duplicitous manner in which he is treated by his countrymen. In times of peace they dislike him, wish him to go away, don't offer him good seats in the theater or places at their eateries.

You see, soldiers such as he are known as uncouth brutes. They don't have high manners or delicate demeanor. They live the rough life in the army and this translates to their behavior in the civilian world.

So, the soldier (Tommy Atkins) is treated poorly by his fellow men. This changes in a jiffy when war comes along. Then, when they depend on his courage and willingness to sacrifice his life, they hold parades for him, and show respect.

Thus, the entire poem juxtaposes instances of bad treatment (in time of peace) and good treatment (when the drums of war roll).

I imagine that soldiers of all epochs share the views expressed by Tommy Atkins. This poem made me smile because it is true and eternal.

Good reading by Phillip J. Mather. He sounded like a grizzled career soldier ought to sound. I loved how he read it in the original form with the imperfect English. Well done as usual.