This is supposed to have been found in Shackleton's Hut. Speculation is that he wrote it himself, but maybe not. Anyone recognise it?

O mother will you help me then
To practise what I dare to preach
And, shuddering, wash the feet of men
Who dread the soft sands of the beach
O christ, hide not from me thy face
Be thou my comrade - give me grace
To fight the fight and run the race,
And when the blessed end shall come
And I am quitted of my task,
Is it too much, O Christ to ask
That some white sail may bring me home
Where, in the shadow of her dome,
My dust may be the dust of Rome."

Stephen, searching for this one just led me back (after too long an absence) to the Poetry Library's 'Lost Quotations' site where, as I'm sure you know, there's a similar question posted, though with even less background information.

Googling 'Shackelton's Hut' reveals that many people besides him have used the hut, so if this poem was found there, what reason is there to think he was the author? When was it found? Was it handwritten?

If he was the author, the poem certainly has some strange references. Why would he begin by invoking 'mother'? Who are the 'men who dread the soft sands of the beach'? Why does he envisage washing their feet? Being an Englishman from England, why does he regard Rome as home? Why does he pray (in effect) that his earthly remains will become 'the dust of Rome'? What does that mean?

Whoever wrote the poem apparently did so out of sincere, serious emotion and religion. I don't know what Shackelton's religion was, but this cryptic poem steeped in self-doubt doesn't sound to me like something penned by an intrepid and resourceful Antarctic explorer who was an inspiring leader of men.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/02/2022 06:41PM by IanB.

wash the feet = John 13 4-11
fight the fight and run the race = 2 Timothy 4

It would be a Catholic who would want his dust to be in Rome, surely, not a Protestant? It seems to mean he wants to be with the saints who were martyred in Rome.

Lots of strange things about this one. It has 13 lines instead of 14, so it makes me suspect there is one missing. The rhyme scheme is also odd:

abab ccc deeddd

Should the 'dread' in line four be 'tread'? And is there a missing question mark at that line's end? Christ is once capitalized and once not - probably a typo in the transcription? Once the speaker appeals to mother, but later to Christ. Confusing stuff, yup.

If, as seems likely, the author is a Catholic, then 'mother' should be capitalized and would mean the Virgin Mary. I'd agree that tread is also more likely, but correcting other people's poetry by applying rationalisation is a risky business!

yes, we all know how rational poets can be!

I've just been lent a copy of "Shackleton's Way" by Margot Morrell and Stephanie Capparell. Skimming through rapidly didn't come up with the poem we're looking for, but did include this.

"My name is Franky Wild-O, and my hut's on Elephant Isle
The most expert of Architects could hardly name it's style
Yet as I sit inside, all snug and listen to the Gale
I think the pride is pardonable with which I tell my tale.
Chorus:
O Franky Wild-O tra-la-la-la-la-la
Mr Franky Wild-O tra-la-la-la-la-la


"My name is Franky Wild-O, my hut's on Elephant Isle,
The walls without a single brick, and the roof's without a tile
But nevertheless I must confess, by many and many a mile
It's the most palatial dwelling place, you'll find on Elephant Isle."

Written for the midwinter celebration by R W James on Elephant Isle.


I'll be reading the book a little more thoroughly over the next few days (I was only handed it a couple of hours ago.)

I guess on that evidence we can rule out R W James as the author of the piece posted by Stephen!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/02/2022 08:39PM by IanB.