I Saw Three Ships

By Walter Crane

Ballad
1.     I saw three ships come sailing by,     Sailing by, sailing by,     I saw three ships come sailing by,     On New-year's Day in the morning. 2.     And what do you think was in them then,     In them then, in them then,     And what do you think was in them then,     On New-year's Day in the morning? 3.     Three pretty girls were in them then,     In them then, in them then,     Three pretty girls were in them then,     On New-year's Day in the morning. 4.     And one could whistle, and one could sing,     The other play on the violin;     Such joy there was at my wedding,     On New-year's Day in the morning.

Share & Analyze This Poem

Spread the beauty of poetry or dive deeper into analysis

Analyze This Poem

Discover the literary devices, structure, and deeper meaning

Copy to Clipboard

Save this poem for personal use or sharing offline

Share the Love of Poetry
More Poems
More Ballads
Daily Poem

Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem functions as a narrative composed of quatrains, each of which employs repetition to establish a rhythm and reinforce its imagery. The repetition of phrases such as "sailing by" and "in them then" creates a chant-like quality, reminiscent of folk songs or sea shanties, lending the poem a timeless, universal feel. This quality, coupled with the poem's simple language, makes it easily accessible to all readers.

The poem's primary theme is that of discovery and joy. The ships sailing by on New Year's Day, traditionally a time of new beginnings, signify the arrival of something new and exciting. The contents of the ships - three pretty girls, each with a unique talent - add a sense of anticipation and celebration to the narrative. The last stanza, which reveals this event to be the speaker's wedding day, adds a personal, intimate note to the overall joyful tone. The poem leaves the reader with a sense of shared happiness and festivity, reinforcing the universality of such emotions. The poem effectively uses repetition, imagery, and simple language to create a narrative that is both accessible and emotionally resonant.

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.