Ye Fairy Ship

By Walter Crane

Ballad
1     A ship, a ship a-sailing,     A-sailing on the sea,     And it was deeply laden     With pretty things for me;     There were raisins in the cabin,     And almonds in the hold;     The sails were made of satin,     And the mast it was of gold. 2     The four-and-twenty sailors     That stood between the decks,     Were four-and-twenty white mice     With rings about their necks.     The captain was a duck, a duck,     With a jacket on his back,     And when this fairy ship set sail,     The captain he said, "Quack!"

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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 delightful exploration of the whimsical and the fantastical, with strong elements of childlike imagination and playful imagery. It employs a simple yet effective rhyme scheme which adds to the charm of the verse, and its tone is light-hearted and joyous, capturing the spirit of a child's dream or a fairy tale.

The poem's theme revolves around a fantastical journey, depicted through the metaphor of a ship sailing on the sea. The ship is laden with "pretty things," symbolizing the riches of the imagination and the treasures found in stories and dreams. The crew of the ship, characterized as white mice and a duck captain, are fanciful and absurd, further emphasizing the escapism and humour inherent in the poem. The use of animals in these roles adds to the childlike, storybook quality of the poem.

The language is simple and accessible, yet filled with vivid and engaging imagery. The sails made of satin, the mast of gold, and the brightly adorned animals all serve to create a vibrant and enchanting world within the poem. The ending line, with the duck captain's comedic "Quack!", adds a humorous twist, leaving the reader with a sense of fun and light-heartedness. Overall, the poem is a delightful celebration of imagination, whimsy, and the joy found in the fanciful.

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.