The Three Roads

Author: Victor James Daley

    There is a town in Ireland,
    A little town I know;
    Its girls have tender Irish eyes
    Beneath their brows of snow;
    And in the field around it
    The Fairy Hawthorns grow.

    O, the Hawthorn is a Queen
    And the daughter of a King,
    And amidst her branches green
    The sweet brown thrushes sing.

    And from that little city
    Three roads forever run
    And on those roads the people,
    The father and the son,
    The mother and the daughter,
    Walk till the day is done.

    O, the Hawthorn is a Queen
    And the daughter of a King,
    And amidst her branches green
    The thrushes sadly sing.

    One road runs to the seaport
    Where stately vessels lie
    American, Australian
    The weeping exiles cry,
    Farewell to Grave and Hearthstone!
    Dear Ireland - good-bye!

    O, the Hawthorn is a Queen
    And the daughter of a King,
    And amidst her branches green
    "Farewell!" the thrushes sing.

    One road it is a red, red road
    That road to England goes;
    The battle-drums are sounding,
    The trump of battle blows;
    And Ireland's sons go forth to fight
    Against Red England's foes.

    O, the Hawthorn is a Queen
    And the daughter of a King,
    And within her heart of green
    The mournful thrushes sing.

    One road it is a quiet road;
    They travel it full slow,
    Their eyes are filled with sorrow,
    The silent folk who go
    To where the Stones of Silence
    Are shining, row on row.

    O, the Hawthorn is a Queen
    And a Lady fair and grand,
    And the thrushes sing the keen
    Of the Dead - in Ireland.
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Type of Poem: Ballad

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem offers a rich exploration of Irish identity, embodying themes of heritage, exile, and resistance. The poet uses the recurring image of the Fairy Hawthorn, a common symbol in Irish folklore, as a metaphorical anchor, tying the verses together. The Hawthorn, referred to as a 'Queen' and 'the daughter of a King', represents Ireland itself - regal, enduring, and deeply rooted in the land.

The structure of the poem is key to its unfolding narrative, with the recurring Hawthorn stanza serving both as a refrain and a marker of transition between the three roads leading from the central town. Each road symbolizes a different aspect of Irish experience: emigration, conflict with England, and death. The tone shifts subtly with each road, reflecting the joy, sorrow, and solemnity of these experiences. The use of color, especially in the "red, red road" to England, adds emotional depth and visual vibrancy to the poem, while the personification of the roads ('the silent folk who go') contributes to the overall sense of melancholy. The thrushes, singing different songs in the Hawthorn's branches, further underscore the shifting emotions throughout the poem.

In conclusion, this poem beautifully encapsulates a multi-faceted depiction of Ireland, weaving together elements of folklore, history, and personal experience. Its effective use of repetition, visual imagery, and symbolic landscapes offers a poignant and resonant exploration of Irish identity.

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.