My Father-In-Law And I

By Henry Lawson

Ballad
    My father-in-law is a careworn man,     And a silent man is he;     But he summons a smile as well as he can     Whenever he meets with me.     The sign we make with a silent shake     That speaks of the days gone by,     Like men who meet at a funeral,     My father-in-law and I.     My father-in-law is a sober man     (And a virtuous man, I think);     But we spare a shilling whenever we can,     And we both drop in for a drink.     Our pints they fill, and we say, Ah, well!     With the sound of the world-old sigh,     Like the drink that comes after a funeral,     My father-in-law and I.     My father-in-law is a kindly man,     A domestic man is he.     He tries to look cheerful as well as he can     Whenever he meets with me.     But we stand and think till the second drink     In a silence that might imply     That wed both get over a funeral,     My father-in-law and I.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
The poem beautifully delves into the complex relationship between the speaker and his father-in-law, painting a portrait of a relationship forged in mutual understanding, shared experiences, and an underlying melancholy. The consistent repetition of "My father-in-law and I" at the end of every stanza emphasises the shared bond between these two men, and creates a rhythmic flow that adds to the introspective tone of the poem.

The themes of the poem revolve around family, connection, and shared sorrow. The father-in-law is described as careworn, sober, and kindly, suggesting a dignified resilience despite life’s struggles. The frequent references to a funeral and the world-old sigh hint at a shared loss that has brought these two men together in their grief. This is further reflected in the poem's somber tone, which is gently softened by their shared moments of camaraderie, depicted through their silent shakes and shared drinks.

The structure of the poem, with its regular rhyming scheme and stanzas, adds to the sense of routine and familiarity in their relationship. The use of simple, evocative language and the subtle use of metaphor (comparing their meetings to men who meet at a funeral) make the poem accessible and emotionally resonant. Overall, the poem offers a poignant exploration of shared grief and the quiet bonds that can form as a result.

Understanding Ballads

A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music, that has been a cornerstone of storytelling across various cultures. Traditionally passed down orally, ballads are known for their rhythmic structure and often tell tales of love, adventure, and heroism.

Ballads are characterized by their strong rhythm and repetition, making them both memorable and engaging. Here are some defining features:

  • Narrative Structure: Ballads typically tell a story, often a dramatic or emotional tale that unfolds in a straightforward, chronological order.
  • Quatrain Stanzas: Most ballads are composed of quatrains (four-line stanzas) with a rhyme scheme of ABAB or ABCB, which adds to the musicality of the verse.
  • Repetition: Refrains or repeated lines are common in ballads, helping to emphasize key themes or emotions and making the ballad easier to remember.
  • Oral Tradition: Many ballads originated from oral traditions, which means they were passed down through generations by word of mouth before being written down.

From medieval minstrels to contemporary songwriters, ballads have continued to evolve, remaining a beloved form of expression that captures the human experience in a way that is both poetic and accessible.