A Ballade of Burial

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<Author:Rudyard Kipling/Complete Poetry

A Ballade of Burial

"Saint Praxed's ever was the Church for peace"

If down here I chance to die,
    Solemnly I beg you take
All that is left of "I"
    To the Hills for old sake's sake,
Pack me very thoroughly
    In the ice that used to slake
Pegs I drank when I was dry--
    This observe for old sake's sake.

To the railway station hie,
    There a single ticket take
For Umballa--goods-train--I
    Shall not mind delay or shake.
I shall rest contentedly
    Spite of clamour coolies make;
Thus in state and dignity
    Send me up for old sake's sake.

Next the sleepy Babu wake,
    Book a Kalka van "for four."
Few, I think, will care to make
    Journeys with me any more
As they used to do of yore.
    I shall need a "special" brake--
'Thing I never took before--
    Get me one for old sake's sake.

After that--arrangements make.
    No hotel will take me in,
And a bullock's back would break
    'Neath the teak and leaden skin
Tonga-ropes are frail and thin,
    Or, did I a back-seat take,
In a tonga I might spin,--
    Do your best for old sake's sake.

After that--your work is done.
    Recollect a Padre must
Mourn the dear departed one--
    Throw the ashes and the dust.
Don't go down at once. I trust
    You will find excuse to "snake
Three days' casual on the bust."
    Get your fun for old sake's sake.

I could never stand the Plains.
    Think of blazing June and May
Think of those September rains
    Yearly till the Judgment Day!
I should never rest in peace,
    I should sweat and lie awake.
Rail me then, on my decease,
    To the Hills for old sake's sake.