poem focuses on the terrible hardships faced in old age by veterans of the Crimean War, as exemplified by the cavalry men of the Light Brigade. Its purpose was to shame the British public into offering financial assistance. First draft Cultural references The poem is referenced in Eugene V. Debs's Canton Speech (1918). Lines from the poem are frequently referenced in To the Lighthouse (1927) by Virginia Woolf. Alfalfa recites this poem in Two Too Young (1936). The world wonders is a near quotation misunderstood in a communication during the Battle of Leyte Gulf in World War II. The poem is recited by James Stewart's character in Magic Town (1947). Honus recites passages from this poem in Soldier Blue (1970) in lieu of a prayer after a cavalry group is massacred by the Cheyenne. The poem inspired the Iron Maiden song "The Trooper" (1983). References Bibliography External links Manuscript in Tennyson's handwriting at Archive.org The words of The Charge of the Light Brigade at Poets.org Poetry by Alfred, Lord Tennyson 1854 poems Narrative poems Crimean War fiction Poems about death Works about the Crimean War Poems adapted into films