Author: Walter Crane

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    There was a man lived in the moon, lived in the moon,
    lived in the moon,
    There was a man lived in the moon,
    And his name was Aiken Drum,
    And he played upon a ladle, a ladle, a ladle,
    And he played upon a ladle,
    And his name was Aiken Drum.

    And his hat was made of good cream cheese,
    And his name, &c.

    And his coat was made of good roast beef,
    And his name, &c.

    And his buttons were made of penny loaves,
    And his name, &c.

    His waistcoat was made of crust of pies,
    And his name, &c.

    His breeches were made of haggis bags,
    And his name, &c.

    There was a man in another town,
    And his name was Willy Wood;
    And he played upon a razor,
    And his name was Willy Wood.

    And he ate up all the good cream cheese,
    And his name, &c.

    And he ate up all the good roast beef,
    And his name, &c.

    And he ate up all the penny loaves,
    And his name, &c.

    And he ate up all the good pie crust,
    And his name, &c.

    But he choked upon the haggis bags,
    And there was an end of Willy Wood.

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Type of Poem: Ballad

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem is a clear foray into the realm of the fantastic, employing whimsical imagery and playful repetition to create a memorable and lively narrative. The primary theme is the fantastical portrayal of two characters, Aiken Drum and Willy Wood, with their unusual characteristics and actions. The tone is light-hearted, creating a sense of fun and whimsy.

The structure of the poem is highly repetitive, which lends a sing-song rhythm to its reading. This is a common characteristic of traditional ballads or nursery rhymes, and it helps to create a memorable and catchy narrative. One of the notable literary devices used is the constant repetition of the characters' names, which not only adds to the rhythmic quality of the poem but also helps to firmly establish the characters in the reader's mind.

The poem’s vivid, almost absurd imagery also stands out. The poet describes the man in the moon, Aiken Drum, as playing a ladle and wearing clothes made of food items, while Willy Wood is depicted as consuming the same food items until he chokes on the haggis bags. This creative use of imagery makes the poem both humorous and surreal, engaging the reader's imagination while also eliciting laughter.

Overall, the poem is a delightful exploration of the imaginative and the absurd, using repetition, rhythm, and vivid imagery to create a narrative that is as entertaining as it is memorable.