Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In the poem "Arise! A Song of Labour" by Roden Berkeley Wriothesley Noel, the speaker calls for a profound social awakening, urging the oppressed, the downtrodden, and the laborers of the world to rise up and claim their rightful place as human beings, not mere slaves to the system. The poem is a rallying cry for liberation, justice, and dignity, challenging the long-standing social order that has kept the working class subjugated for centuries. Through vivid language, rhythmic urgency, and a passionate tone, Noel addresses the divide between the rich and the poor, the rulers and the ruled, and the oppressors and the oppressed, advocating for collective action and the power of the human spirit.

The opening lines set the tone of the poem with a clear and resounding command: “From the long sleep of centuries, / Rise, arise!” Here, Noel frames the laboring class as having been in a kind of slumber, unaware of their potential and their humanity. This “sleep” is not merely physical but also metaphorical—a long period of ignorance, submission, and oppression. The call to “arise” is a call to awaken, both physically and spiritually, to recognize their inherent worth as human beings rather than remaining mere cogs in the machine of society. The repetition of “arise” emphasizes the urgency and the hope that permeates the speaker’s message, signaling that the time for change has come.

Noel goes on to describe the plight of the laborers in stark and empathetic terms, acknowledging their suffering while urging them toward empowerment. He writes, “Weary children of the soil, / Who toil and toil!” This description highlights the relentless and repetitive nature of their work, with the word “weary” capturing the exhaustion that defines their existence. The image of these “children of the soil” evokes the connection between the workers and the land they labor on, suggesting that they are deeply rooted in the earth, yet bound to it in a way that strips them of their dignity. Their “dim eyes” and “piteous hunger” underscore the physical and emotional toll of their labor, but the call to “arise” remains, offering them hope and a path toward liberation.

The poem';s tone shifts slightly as Noel introduces the opposition, the ruling class, who are described with disdain and fear. The laborers'; initial stirrings of rebellion are met with shock and outrage from their oppressors, who are “scared” at the audacity of their former subjects. Noel writes, “Murmur men who rule you, scared: / ‘What! ye dared, / Doltish bovine bondsmen, ye!’” The dismissive and condescending language used by the ruling class—terms like “doltish” and “bovine bondsmen”—reveals their contempt for the workers, whom they regard as little more than beasts of burden. Their shock at the workers’ demand for “human lives” speaks to the fundamental divide between the two classes: the ruling elite cannot comprehend that those they consider inferior might aspire to the same dignity and rights as themselves.

Noel uses powerful imagery to characterize the ruling class as hypocritical and self-serving, depicting them as “mummied princeling[s] of the past” and “a moneyed mob aghast and pale.” These phrases paint the rulers as out of touch, fossilized remnants of a decaying social order. The image of the princelings as “mummified” suggests that their power and authority are ancient and lifeless, while the description of them as a “moneyed mob” emphasizes that their wealth is their only claim to power. This mob’s response to the laborers’ demands is not only incredulous but also cruel, as they scoff at the workers’ poverty and suffering. They mock the laborers'; “hunger and cold in many a hovel” and dismiss their struggle as irrelevant to their own comfortable lives. The rulers’ willful ignorance and denial of the workers'; suffering are encapsulated in the bitter question: “Who told you, rebels, that ye grovel / Hungry and cold in many a hovel?”

The poem builds toward a climax as Noel urges the workers not to recoil in fear, but to stand firm and face their oppressors. He writes, “Stalwart, sturdy sons of toil, / Ne’er recoil!” The alliteration of “stalwart, sturdy sons” reinforces the strength and resilience of the laboring class, suggesting that they possess the power to challenge their oppressors. Noel acknowledges that the rulers will likely respond with threats of violence, as they have done throughout history, but he encourages the workers to remain calm and resolute: “Never fear; be calm, be wise! / Holy fire inflame your eyes!” The phrase “holy fire” imbues their struggle with a sense of divine purpose, implying that their fight for justice and dignity is not only morally righteous but also supported by a higher power.

The closing lines of the poem echo the initial call to action, with Noel urging the laborers to rise up once more: “God shall smite your enemies: / Arise!” Here, Noel invokes divine justice as the ultimate force that will aid the workers in their struggle. By aligning their cause with God’s will, Noel assures the laborers that their enemies will be defeated and that they will eventually prevail. The final command to “arise” resonates with a sense of triumph, as the workers are no longer just passive victims of oppression but active agents of their own liberation.

"Arise! A Song of Labour" is a powerful and impassioned poem that speaks to the struggles of the working class and the need for collective action against oppression. Through vivid imagery, rhythmic repetition, and a tone of righteous indignation, Noel crafts a compelling narrative of resistance and hope. The poem’s final message is one of empowerment: the laborers must rise, not just for themselves, but for future generations, to break free from the chains of exploitation and claim their rightful place as equal members of society.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...