Girls And Boys

By Walter Crane

Ballad
1.     Girls and boys come out to play,     The moon doth shine as bright as day;     Leave your supper, and leave your sleep;     Come to your playfellows in the street; 2.     Come with a whoop, and come with a call.     Come with a good will or not at all.     Up the ladder and down the wall,     A penny loaf will serve you all.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This inviting and playful poem is a celebration of childhood innocence and camaraderie. The poem immediately establishes a joyful tone with a clear call to action for both girls and boys to join in play, emphasizing unity and equality in childhood. The moon’s brightness suggests a sense of fantasy and magic, which often pervades children's games, and works to establish nighttime play as a sort of rebellious act against conventional norms of supper and sleep.

In terms of structure, the poem uses rhyming couplets, which lend a rhythmic and musical quality to the verses, further enhancing the poem's playful nature. The repeated use of the imperative, ‘come’, is a powerful literary device that creates a strong sense of urgency and excitement. The second stanza introduces an element of challenge with the phrases "Up the ladder and down the wall," hinting at the adventurous spirit of children. The concluding line, "A penny loaf will serve you all," subtly addresses themes of simplicity and shared experience, implying that the joys of childhood are not dependent on wealth or material possessions, but on friendship and shared experiences. Overall, this poem offers a nostalgic look at childhood, highlighting the simple, carefree, and inclusive nature of children's play.

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.