Lambkin Mine (From Arne)

By Bjørnstjerne Martinius Bjørnson

Limerick
    Kille, kille, lambkin mine,     Though it often be hard to climb     Over the rocks upswinging,     Follow thy bell's sweet ringing!     Kille, kille, lambkin mine,     Take good care of that fleece-coat thine!     Sewed to one and another,     Warm it shall keep my mother.     Kille, kille, lambkin mine,     Feed and fatten thy flesh so fine!     Know, you dear little sinner,     Mother will have it for dinner!

Share & Analyze This Poem

Spread the beauty of poetry or dive deeper into analysis

Analyze This Poem

Discover the literary devices, structure, and deeper meaning

Create Image

Transform this poem into a beautiful shareable image

Copy to Clipboard

Save this poem for personal use or sharing offline

Share the Love of Poetry
More Poems
More Limericks
Daily Poem

Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
this poem explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. The poem uses simple, repetitive language to create a sense of longing and nostalgia. The speaker is clearly reminiscing about a past love, perhaps one that has been lost. The repeated lines Kille, kille, lambkin mine and Take good care of thee suggest a deep affection and a desire for the beloved's well-being. However, there is also a sense of sadness and resignation in the poem. The lines Though it be hard to climb and Though it be hard to climb suggest that the speaker is struggling to move on from the past. The poem's structure is simple, with short lines and stanzas. This creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy. The repetition of certain phrases and words also reinforces the poem's themes of longing and loss. The poem ends on a rather bleak note, with the line Mother will have it for dinner. This suggests that the speaker is resigned to the fact that the past cannot be recovered and that the beloved is ultimately lost to them.

Understanding Limerick

A limerick is a five-line poem known for its jaunty rhythm, playful tone, and a punchline twist. It’s built for humor—often sly, sometimes downright silly.

Common characteristics of limericks:

  • Five Lines & Rhyme: The standard scheme is AABBA—the first, second, and fifth lines rhyme; the shorter third and fourth lines rhyme with each other.
  • Bouncy Meter: Typically anapestic (two short, one long beat). Lines 1, 2, and 5 are longer; lines 3 and 4 are shorter.
  • Tone & Humor: Lighthearted, mischievous, and built around a final gag or reversal.
  • Subject & Setup: Often starts with “There once was a … from …,” setting place and character before the comic turn.
  • Sound Play: Internal rhyme, alliteration, and rhythmic snap heighten the joke’s delivery.

The best limericks land like a good toast: quick, musical, and clinched by a memorable last line.