Written On Passing Deadmans Island, In The Gulf Of St. Lawrence,[1] Late In The Evening, September, 1804

By Thomas Moore

Ballad
    See you, beneath yon cloud so dark,     Fast gliding along a gloomy bark?     Her sails are full,--though the wind is still,     And there blows not a breath her sails to fill!     Say, what doth that vessel of darkness bear?     The silent calm of the grave is there,     Save now and again a death-knell rung,     And the flap of the sails with night-fog hung.     There lieth a wreck on the dismal shore     Of cold and pitiless Labrador;     Where, under the moon, upon mounts of frost,     Full many a mariner's bones are tost.     Yon shadowy bark hath been to that wreck,     And the dim blue fire, that lights her deck,     Doth play on as pale and livid a crew,     As ever yet drank the churchyard dew.     To Deadman's Isle, in the eye of the blast,     To Deadman's Isle, she speeds her fast;     By skeleton shapes her sails are furled,     And the hand that steers is not of this world!     Oh! hurry thee on-oh! hurry thee on,     Thou terrible bark, ere the night be gone,     Nor let morning look on so foul a sight     As would blanch for ever her rosy light!

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem presents a chilling narrative, using vivid imagery and a dark, ominous tone to tell a tale of a ghostly ship and its spectral crew. The theme of death and the supernatural is evident throughout the text, with references to the "grave," "death-knell," "mariner's bones," and "churchyard dew." The setting is bleak and foreboding, adding to the overall mood of unease and horror.

The poem's structure, composed of quatrains, contributes to a steady, rhythmic pace that mimics the relentless journey of the ghost ship. This meter aids in the creation of an eerie, suspenseful atmosphere. Standout literary devices include personification, as seen in the lines "the silent calm of the grave is there" and "the hand that steers is not of this world," which work to enhance the supernatural elements of the text. The use of vivid, macabre imagery, such as "dim blue fire," "skeleton shapes," and "pale and livid crew," aids in creating a haunting visual landscape. The poem concludes with a sense of urgency, a plea for the spectral ship to hurry before morning reveals its ghastly sight, reinforcing the theme of darkness and the unseen horrors that it can conceal.

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.