Et Moi De M'en Courir

Author: Walter Crane

    En passant dans un p'tit bois,
    O le coucou chantait,
    O le coucou chantait;
    Dans son joli chant il disait:
    Coucou, coucou, coucou, coucou,
    Et moi qui croyais qu'il disait;
    Cass'-lui le cou, cass'-lui le cou!
    Et moi de m'en cour', cour', cour',
    Et moi de m'en courir!

    En passant auprs d'un tang,
    O les canards chantaient,
    O les canards chantaient;
    Dans leur joli chant ils disaient:
    "Cancan, cancan, cancan, cancan,"
    Et moi qui croyais qu'ils disaient,
    "Jett'-le dedans, jett'-le dedans,"
    Et moi de m'en cour', cour', cour',
    Et moi de m'en courir!

    En passant devant une maison,
    O la bonn' femm' chantait,
    O la bonn' femm' chantait;
    Dans son joli chant ell' disait:
    "Dodo, dodo, dodo, dodo,"
    Et moi qui croyais qu'elle disait,
    "Cass'-lui les os, cass'-lui les os,"
    Et moi de m'en cour', cour', cour',
    Et moi de m'en courir!
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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 French poem, written in a lighthearted, colloquial style, explores themes of misunderstanding and fear through the adventures of the protagonist, who misinterprets the sounds of his surroundings. The use of repetition and rhythm throughout the poem creates a sense of urgency and movement that mirrors the protagonist's state of mind, while the repeated misunderstandings provide a humorous counterpoint to this sense of fear and urgency.

The poem is structured around three similar episodes, each involving a different sound - the cuckoo, the ducks, and the woman's song. This repetitive structure serves to emphasize the continuous nature of the protagonist's misunderstandings and his constant state of fear. The fact that the protagonist's interpretations of the sounds are always violent ("break his neck," "throw him in," "break his bones") suggests a sense of paranoia or anxiety. Meanwhile, the actual sounds are innocuous and natural, creating a stark contrast between the peacefulness of the world and the protagonist's disturbed perception of it.

The playful and somewhat absurd tone of the poem, combined with its rhythmic, song-like structure, make it an engaging and entertaining read, even as it touches on deeper themes of misunderstanding and fear.

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.