OH! give me the strength of the Lion,
The wisdom of reynard the Fox
And then I’ll hurl troops at the Germans
And give them the hardest of knocks.
Oh! think of the War Lord’s mailed fist,
That is striking at England today:
And think of the lives that our soldiers
Are fearlessly throwing away.
Awake! Oh you young men of England,
For if, when your Country’s in need,
You do not enlist by the thousand,
You truly are cowards indeed.
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Comments2George Orwell's "Awake! Young Men of England" is a powerful, stirring call to action.
Recalling my younger years, I came across one of George Orwell's poems on this site. The poem's silent call to arms and hint of patriotism still sends shivers down my spine, much like the first time I read it. Orwell does a commendable job of portraying the resolute spirit of his time.