Three Blind Mice

By Walter Crane

Ballad
    Three blind mice,     See how they run!     They all ran after the farmer's wife,     Who cut off their tails with a carving knife;     Did ever you hear such a thing in your life?     Three blind mice.

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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 classic nursery rhyme, employing a concise yet vivid narrative to explore themes of adversity, pursuit, and the cruel twists of fate. The central characters, the three blind mice, are symbolic of innocence and vulnerability, their visual impairment serving to heighten their peril in the face of an unanticipated threat - the farmer's wife.

The structure of the poem is linear and straightforward, recounting a singular incident in a manner that is both engaging and memorable. The use of rhyming couplets and repetition imbue the poem with a catchy, rhythmic quality that belies the severity of the tale it tells. This juxtaposition of light-hearted tone and dark narrative serves to create an unsettling undercurrent to the poem, a testament to the often harsh realities of life. The rhetorical question in the penultimate line serves to engage the audience, inviting them to reflect on the shocking turn of events. The poem thus provides a poignant commentary on the unpredictability of life, rendered in a simple yet unforgettable way.

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.