Song of Myself (Part 18) - Walt Whitman
A Triumphant Tribute to Defeat and Victory Alike
With music strong I come, with my cornets and my drums,
I play not marches for accepted victors only, I play marches for conquered and slain persons.
Have you heard that it was good to gain the day?
I also say it is good to fall, battles are lost in the same spirit in which they are won.
I beat and pound for the dead,
I blow through my embouchures my loudest and gayest for them.
Vivas to those who have fail’d!
And to those whose war-vessels sank in the sea!
And to those themselves who sank in the sea!
And to all generals that lost engagements, and all overcome heroes!
And the numberless unknown heroes equal to the greatest heroes known!
In Part 18 of Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself,” the poet proclaims his refusal to celebrate only the victors of life. He calls forth music—a metaphorical fanfare of cornets and drums—to honor not just those who conquer but also those who meet defeat. In Whitman’s inclusive vision, failure and loss deserve the same acknowledgment as success.
He points out that winning and losing share a common spirit. A soldier’s valor, for instance, isn’t diminished by falling in battle: victory and defeat become two sides of the same coin—both requiring bravery and commitment. Whitman’s compassion extends to “overcome heroes” and even the “numberless unknown” who never see their names praised in the annals of history.
The poem’s vibrant, almost martial language underscores the sense of collective dignity. Even those whose ships sink at sea or those who simply fall short in the world’s eyes receive the poet’s rousing salute. By chanting “Vivas to those who have fail’d!” Whitman recognizes the intrinsic courage in the act of striving, regardless of outcome.
Moreover, this passage resonates with Whitman’s broader theme of universal empathy. He removes the stark line between winner and loser, urging readers to perceive the greater unity in all human endeavors. Often, the attention goes to those who triumph, but Whitman posits that we lose something profound if we do not see the worth in every effort—even if it ends in tragedy. By linking success and failure in one breath, he reminds us that both are equally essential to the tapestry of human experience.
These verses also celebrate humility. In praising “conquered and slain persons,” Whitman hints that empathy for the fallen enriches the spirit more than exclusive adoration of the victorious. His emphasis on music for all implies that no life or cause is too minor or unremarkable to be commemorated. This idea of inclusivity shapes the poet’s democratic ethos, resonating throughout “Song of Myself.”
Ultimately, Part 18 affirms that all who venture forth—whether they stand at the mountaintop or collapse halfway—are worthy of praise. Through robust, drumlike lines, Whitman galvanizes the reader to recognize courage in every form. He transforms seeming defeat into another kind of triumph: the willingness to strive wholeheartedly, fully aware that one might fail. In so doing, he advocates a worldview of profound empathy, underlining the shared humanity binding every person who dares to act.
Key points
• Both victory and defeat merit respect in Whitman’s expansive view.
• Courage lies in taking part, regardless of outcome.
• Empathy for the fallen strengthens our collective spirit.
• Whitman’s belief in universal worth extends beyond celebrated heroes.
• The poet’s drumbeat calls us to honor the many unseen, unheralded acts of valor.
