Sir Nigels Song

By Arthur Conan Doyle

Ballad
    A sword! A sword! Ah, give me a sword!     For the world is all to win.     Though the way be hard and the door be barred,     The strong man enters in.     If Chance or Fate still hold the gate,     Give me the iron key,     And turret high, my plume shall fly,     Or you may weep for me!     A horse! A horse! Ah, give me a horse,     To bear me out afar,     Where blackest need and grimmest deed,     And sweetest perils are.     Hold thou my ways from glutted days,     Where poisoned leisure lies,     And point the path of tears and wrath     Which mounts to high emprise.     A heart! A heart! Ah, give me a heart,     To rise to circumstance!     Serene and high, and bold to try     The hazard of a chance.     With strength to wait, but fixed as fate,     To plan and dare and do;     The peer of all and only thrall,     Sweet lady mine, to you!

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
The central theme of this poem is the quest for courage, strength, and love in the face of life's many challenges. The poet employs repetition and the exclamation of strong desires for a sword, horse, and heart as symbolic representations of power, freedom, and emotional tenacity respectively. These key elements set a tone of bravado and yearning.

The poem is structured in three stanzas, each emphasizing a different aspect of the protagonist's journey. The first stanza sees the protagonist desiring a sword, embodying determination to conquer obstacles. The second stanza introduces the horse, signifying a longing for exploration and escaping monotony, while acknowledging the difficulties that lie ahead. Finally, the third stanza demands a heart, symbolizing the courage to take risks and the ability to love, revealed in the end as the protagonist's ultimate motivation.

The use of exclamatory repetition, vivid imagery, and bold metaphors creates an atmosphere of determination and daring. The poet has effectively utilized these devices to portray a hero's pursuit of love, illustrating that it is this pursuit that gives him the strength to face the world's challenges. This interpretation provides an accessible understanding of the poem, making it relatable to any reader who has faced adversity in the pursuit of their desires.

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.