A Rover Chanty

By Arthur Conan Doyle

Ballad
    A trader sailed from Stepney town -     Wake her up! Shake her up! Try her with the mainsail!     A trader sailed from Stepney town     With a keg full of gold and a velvet gown:     Ho, the bully rover Jack,     Waiting with his yard aback     Out upon the Lowland sea!     The trader he had a daughter fair -     Wake her up! Shake her up! Try her with the foresail     The trader he had a daughter fair,     She had gold in her ears, and gold in her hair:     All for bully rover Jack,     Waiting with his yard aback,     Out upon the Lowland sea!     'Alas the day, oh daughter mine!' -     Shake her up! Wake her up! Try her with the topsail!     'Alas the day, oh daughter mine!     Yon red, red flag is a fearsome sign!'     Ho, the bully rover Jack,     Reaching on the weather tack,     Out upon the Lowland sea!     'A fearsome flag!' the maiden cried -     Wake her up! Shake her up! Try her with the jibsail!     'A fearsome flag!' the maiden cried,     But comelier men I never have spied!'     Ho, the bully rover Jack,     Reaching on the weather tack,     Out upon the Lowland sea!     There's a wooden path that the rovers know -     Wake her up! Shake her up! Try her with the headsails!     There's a wooden path that the rovers know,     Where none come back, though many must go:     Ho, the bully rover Jack,     Lying with his yard aback,     Out upon the Lowland sea!     Where is the trader of Stepney town? -     Wake her up! Shake her up! Every stick a-bending!     Where is the trader of Stepney town?     There's gold on the capstan, and blood on the gown:     Ho for bully rover Jack,     Waiting with his yard aback,     Out upon the Lowland sea!     Where is the maiden who knelt at his side? -     Wake her up! Shake her up! Every stitch a-drawing!     Where is the maiden who knelt at his side?     We gowned her in scarlet, and chose her our bride:     Ho, the bully rover Jack,     Reaching on the weather tack,     Right across the Lowland sea!     So it's up and its over to Stornoway Bay,     Pack it on! Crack it on! Try her with the stunsails!     It's off on a bowline to Stornoway Bay,     Where the liquor is good and the lasses are gay:     Waiting for their bully Jack,     Watching for him sailing back,     Right across the Lowland sea.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
The poem is a raucous narrative that uses repetition and unusual command phrases to create a rhythm reminiscent of a sea shanty, capturing the rough-and-tumble life of seafarers and the unpredictability of the sea. The repeated lines, such as "Wake her up! Shake her up!" and "Ho, the bully rover Jack," serve as a chorus, punctuating the narrative and creating a sense of anticipation and excitement.

The story unfolds through a succession of characters - a trader, his daughter, and the rogue rover Jack. It hints at danger, adventure, even violence and lawlessness, all set against the backdrop of the "Lowland sea." Maritime language and imagery are prevalent throughout, used as metaphors for life's trials and tribulations. The red flag, the gold, the scarlet gown, and the wooden path that many must go but none return from, all create a rich, vibrant, and somewhat ominous tableau. The poem ends on an ambiguous note, leaving the reader wondering about the fate of the characters, embodying the very sense of uncertainty and adventure it seeks to convey. Overall, the poem brilliantly employs repetition and maritime imagery to create a compelling story filled with tension and mystery.

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.