A B C

By Walter Crane

Ballad
    A, B, C, die Katze lief im Schnee,     Und wie sie wieder 'raus kam,     Da hatt' sie weisse Stieflein an:     O jemine, O jemine, O jemine, O je!     A, B, C, die Katze lief zur Hoh',     Sie lecket ihr kalt Pftchen rein     Und putzt sich auch das Stiefelein     Und ging nicht mehr im Schnee.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
In this charming German poem, the audience is presented with a playful exploration of language and imagery, centered around the whimsical antics of a cat in the snow. The poem's themes are light-hearted, revolving around elements of exploration, playfulness, and cleanliness. The tone, fittingly, is jovial and almost childlike, radiating a sense of warmth and mirth that is likely to appeal to readers of all ages.

The structure of the poem is quite rhythmic and repetitive, following a consistent AABB rhyme scheme, which adds to the poem's childlike atmosphere. The repetition of "O jemine, O jemine, O jemine, O je!" serves to emphasize the speaker's surprise or delight at the cat's snowy escapades. Additionally, the use of alliteration in phrases like "die Katze lief im Schnee" and "kalt Pfötchen rein" underscores the poem's playful tone while creating a pleasant auditory experience for the reader. A noteworthy literary device is the anthropomorphization of the cat, who wears boots and cleans itself, adding a layer of whimsy and charm. Overall, this poem is a delightful depiction of a cat's playful interaction with the snow, rendered in a childlike, whimsical manner that is sure to captivate readers.

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.