The Dons Of Spain

By Henry Lawson

    The Eagle screams at the beck of trade, so Spain, as the world goes round,     Must wrestle the right to live or die from the sons of the land she found;     For, as in the days when the buccaneer was abroad on the Spanish Main,     The national honour is one thing dear to the hearts of the Dons of Spain.     She has slaughtered thousands with fire and sword, as the Christian world might know;     We murder millions, but, thank the Lord! we only starve 'em slow.     The times have changed since the days of old, but the same old facts remain,     We fight for Freedom, and God, and Gold, and the Spaniards fight for Spain.     We fought with the strength of the moral right, and they, as their ships went down,     They only fought with the grit to fight and their armour to help 'em drown.     It mattered little what chance or hope, for ever their path was plain,     The Church was the Church, and the Pope the Pope, but the Spaniards fought for Spain.     If Providence struck for the honest thief at times in the battle's din,     If ever it struck at the hypocrite, well, that's where the Turks came in;     But this remains ere we leave the wise to argue it through in vain,     There's something great in the wrong that dies as the Spaniards die for Spain.     The foes of Spain may be kin to us who are English heart and soul,     And proud of our national righteousness and proud of the lands we stole;     But we yet might pause while those brave men die and the death-drink pledge again,     For the sake of the past, if you're doomed, say I, may your death be a grand one, Spain!     Then here's to the bravest of Freedom's foes who ever with death have stood,     For the sake of the courage to die on steel as their fathers died on wood;     And here's a cheer for the flag unfurled in a hopeless cause again,     For the sake of the days when the Christian world was saved by the Dons of Spain.

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Poem Details

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

Analysis & Notes:
This poem is a stirring exploration of national identity, struggle, and the brutal realities of war. It presents a powerful narrative of the Spanish people's resilience and valor in the face of adversities. The tone is both reverential and critical, reflecting the complex relationship between the poem's speaker and the subject of Spain.

The structure of the poem is traditional, adhering to a consistent rhyme scheme which emphasises the narrative nature of the piece. This rhythm, coupled with the repeated refrain "the Spaniards fought for Spain," underscores the central theme of nationalistic fervor and resilience. Meanwhile, the poem also probes the paradoxes of war and conflict, with pointed commentary about the justifications for war: "We fight for Freedom, and God, and Gold." The stark contrast between the valorization of Spain's struggle and the critique of the speaker's own nation's actions (presumably England) adds a layer of irony to the work, highlighting the poet's nuanced perspective on nationalism and conflict.

The poem also uses powerful imagery and metaphor, particularly the image of the eagle, often a symbol of power and freedom, controlled by the whims of trade, hinting at the commodification of nations and their resources. The use of personification in phrases like "The Eagle screams at the beck of trade," is effective in giving a sense of the pressures and external forces acting upon nations. The poem is also rich in historical allusions, such as references to the buccaneers and the Christian world, which serve to situate the poem within a broader historical and geopolitical context.

In conclusion, this poem is a moving exploration of nationalistic struggle and the human cost of war, delivered through engaging narrative structure and rich, evocative language.

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.