Tarry Ye Not In Egypt

By A. H. Laidlaw

Ballad
    The Lord is wroth with Pharaoh's men,     Tarry ye not in Egypt!     He hath raised His strong arm to smite furrow and fen,     And he'll smite them and smite them again and again.     Tarry ye not,     Tarry ye not,     Tarry ye not in Egypt!     The Lord is wroth with Pharaoh's men,     He hath raised His strong arm to smite furrow and fen,     And he'll smite them and smite them again and again,     So tarry no longer in Egypt.     The Lord hath set His sign in the sky,     Tarry ye not in Egypt!     And all the first-born in the land shall die,     The fathers shall perish, the mothers shall sigh.     Tarry ye not,     Tarry ye not,     Tarry ye not in Egypt!     The Lord hath set His sign in the sky,     And all the first-born in the land shall die;     The fathers shall perish, the mothers shall sigh,     So tarry no longer in Egypt!     The Lord hath hardened the heart of the King,     Tarry ye not in Egypt!     So the creatures that crawl and the insects that sting     Will add terror to life and bring death on the wing.     Tarry ye not,     Tarry ye not,     Tarry ye not in Egypt!     The Lord hath hardened the heart of the King,     So the creatures that crawl and the insects that sting     Will add terror to life and bring death on the wing,     So tarry no longer in Egypt!     There is blood on the river and blood on the door,     Tarry ye not in Egypt!     The land shall be red on the sea and the shore,     And the blood of the Ruler shall reign nevermore.     Tarry ye not,     Tarry ye not,     Tarry ye not in Egypt!     There is blood on the river and blood on the door,     The land shall be red on the sea and the shore,     And the blood of the Ruler shall reign nevermore,     So tarry no longer in Egypt!

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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 powerful expression of divine fury and retribution, drawing heavily from the Biblical narrative of the Exodus. The theme centers around the wrath of God against the oppressive Pharaoh and his men, urging the reader not to tarry in Egypt, symbolic of places of oppression and bondage. It is a forceful call for liberation and a keen warning against the dangers of remaining in a place of danger and tyranny.

The poem's structure is repetitive and incantatory, enhancing the urgency and seriousness of the message. Each stanza begins and ends with the warning, "Tarry ye not in Egypt!", creating a rhythmic and hypnotic effect that echoes the urgency of escape. The language used is vivid and dramatic, using imagery of blood, death, and divine wrath to underscore the severity of God's judgement. Literary devices such as personification are used, notably in phrases such as "He hath raised His strong arm", giving God a physical and active presence in the narrative. The repetition and rhyme scheme of the poem serve to reinforce its central warning and give it a hymn-like quality. The tone is severe and urgent, filled with impending doom yet offering a way out through escape.

Overall, while the poem is rooted in a specific Biblical narrative, its themes of oppression, divine justice and liberation are universal. It is a potent call to flee from places of oppression, and a stark reminder of the consequences of tyranny and the power of divine justice.

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.