Woone Smile Mwore

By William Barnes

O! MARY, when the zun went down, Woone night in spring, w’ viry rim, Behind the nap wi’ woody crown, An’ left your smilen face so dim; Your little sister there, inside, Wi’ bellows on her little knee, Did blow the vire, a-glearen wide Drough window-panes, that I could zee,     As you did stan’ wi’ me, avore The house, a-parten, woone smile mwore. The chatt’ren birds, a-risen high, An’ zinken low, did swiftly vlee Vrom shrinken moss, a-growen dry, Upon the lanen apple tree. An’ there the dog, a-whippen wide His hairy tail, an’ comen near, Did fondly lay agan you zide His coal-black nose an’ russet ear: To win what I ’d a-won avore, Vrom your gay; face, his woone smile mwore. An’ while your mother bustled sprack, A-getten supper out in hall, An’ cast her shade, a-whiv’ren black Avore the vire, upon the wall; Your brother come, wi’ easy pace, In drough the slammen gate, along The path, wi’ healthy-bloomen face, A-whis’len shrill his last new zong: An’ when he come avore the door, He met vrom you his woone smile mwore. Now you that wer the daughter there, Be mother on a husband’s vloor, An’ mid ye meet wi’ less o’ care Than what your harty mother bore; An’ if abroad I have to rue The bitter tongue, or wrongvul deed, Mid I come hwome to share wi’ you What ’s needvul free o’ pinchen need: An’ vind that you ha’ still in store My evenen meal, an’ woone smile mwore.

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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 rich blend of pastoral imagery, peppered with dialect, creating an intimate, warm atmosphere. The central theme is love and longing, portrayed through the lens of rural life. The speaker is addressing Mary, reminiscing about their shared past and expressing his hopes for their future. The tone is nostalgic, tender, and hopeful, which is effectively conveyed through the use of vivid, evocative imagery, and a rhythmic structure that emulates the natural ebb and flow of life.

The poem's structure closely mirrors its content. Each stanza ends with a repetition of "woone smile mwore," which emphasizes the speaker's longing and affection for Mary. The use of dialect throughout the poem enhances its authenticity and adds a layer of cultural depth. Specific, tangible details like the "bellows on her little knee," "coal-black nose an’ russet ear," and "healthy-bloomen face," create a rich sensory landscape that immerses the reader in the rustic setting. The poem also employs personification, as seen in the "shrinken moss" and the "chatt’ren birds," adding a sense of liveliness and dynamism.

In sum, the poem is a compelling blend of nostalgia, affection, and hopeful anticipation, beautifully captured through vivid imagery, rhythmic structure, and the use of dialect. It depicts the simple yet profound joys of rural life and love, making it an engaging and moving piece of poetry.

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.