The Black Bordered Letter

By Henry Lawson

    An SO es dead in London,     An answered to the call,     An trotted through the Long Street,     With earse an plumes an all?     We was village boys an brothers,     We was warm as we could be,     In the milk-walk an the fried fish,     Up in London, im an me.     We was warm,     We was warm,     As we ad always been;     We never ad a dry word     Till she come between.     I lived round Windsor Terrace,     An im across the wye,     An when I sailed a emigrant     We never said good-bye!     He wos better than a brother,     Wot you Bushmen call a mate.     (Did he reach the rylwye stytion,     As they told me, just too late!)     We was warm,     We was warm,     As pals was ever seen;     We never ad a dry word     Till she come between.     I meant to go back ome again,     I meant to write to-night;     I meant to write by every mail,     But I thought e oughter write.     An now es left North London,     For a better place, perhaps,     Shes flauntin in er widder weeds,     With eyes on other chaps.     We was warm,     We was warm,     As we ad always been;     We never ad a dry word     Till she come between.     Oh! tongues is bad in wimmin,     When wimmins tongues is bad!     For theyll part men an brothers     World oceans wide, my lad!     There was seven years between us,     An fifteen thousand mile,     An now theres death an sorrer     For ever an awhile.     We was warm,     We was warm,     As two was ever seen;     We never ad a dry word     Till she come between.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Analysis & Notes:
This poem explores themes of friendship, loss, distance, and the disruptive power of romantic entanglements, set against a backdrop of rural and urban life. It is a poignant narrative of two friends separated by physical distance and a woman who causes a rupture in their relationship. The consistent refrain "We was warm, / We was warm" serves as a nostalgic reminder of their past camaraderie, while the phrase "Till she come between" alludes to the key transformative event in their relationship.

The poem is written in non-standard English, a deliberate choice that lends authenticity to the voice and setting. The irregular structure, with verses of varying lengths, reinforces a conversational tone, as if the speaker is sharing a personal story, replete with regrets and bitter-sweet memories. The use of repetition and internal rhyme adds a musical quality to the narrative flow. The unexpected twist in the final stanza, where the speaker reveals the death of his friend, impacts the reader with its raw sorrow, giving depth to the theme of loss. The poem successfully portrays the enduring bond of friendship, the pain of separation, and the complexities of love and jealousy, exploring human emotions with a unique voice and style.

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.