Sing A Song Of Sixpence

By Walter Crane

Ballad
    Sing a song of sixpence,     A pocket full of rye,     Four and twenty black-birds,     Baked in a pie     When the pie was open'd     The birds began to sing     Was'nt that a dainty dish     To set before the King?     The King was in his counting-house,     Counting out his money.     The Queen was in the parlour,     Eating bread and honey.     The maid was in the garden,     Hanging out the clothes;     There came a little blackbird,     And nipp'd off her nose.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem is a well-known nursery rhyme that employs a simple, straightforward structure and clear imagery to convey a playful yet somewhat surreal narrative. The predominant theme is the juxtaposition of the ordinary and the extraordinary, portrayed through the narrative's unexpected twists and turns. The tone is light and whimsical, yet there's an underlying element of surprise and even mild shock, which adds an extra dimension to the rhyme.

The poem utilizes a traditional AABB rhyme scheme and a rhythmic meter, contributing to its sing-song quality. This makes it appealing and memorable, especially to younger audiences. The use of vivid and at times, absurd imagery—such as blackbirds baked into a pie that then begin to sing—creates a whimsical, fairy-tale-like atmosphere. The characters of the King, Queen, and the maid, each engaged in their distinct activities, reflect a socio-cultural hierarchy, adding another layer to the seemingly simple poem. The surprising twist at the end, where the blackbird nips off the maid's nose, introduces an element of dark humor, demonstrating how the poem cleverly balances between the delightful and the bizarre.

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.