Dickory Dock

By Walter Crane

Ballad
    Hickory, dickory dock!     The mouse ran up the clock;     The clock struck one,     The mouse ran down,     Hickory, dickory dock!

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem, a well-known nursery rhyme, employs an engaging and playful tone to create a captivating narrative. The central theme revolves around a small adventure of a mouse, presumably in a domestic setting, thus rendering the poem accessible and relatable to a younger audience. The simple, rhythmic structure of the poem, characterized by its consistent AABB rhyme scheme, contributes significantly to its charm and memorability.

The poem masterfully employs onomatopoeia, in the form of the ticking clock, to add a sense of urgency and excitement to the narrative. The repetition of the nonsensical phrase "Hickory, dickory dock" at the beginning and end of the poem gives it a cyclical structure, suggesting that the mouse's adventures are a regular occurrence. This repetition also adds an element of predictability, enhancing the poem's appeal to children. The minimalist narrative, limited characters, and the distinct progression of events - the mouse running up the clock, the clock striking one, and the mouse running down - all work together to create a vivid and concise story that is both engaging and easy to remember.

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.