A Rule Of The A.J.C.

By Banjo Paterson (Andrew Barton)

Ballad
Come all ye bold trainers attend to my song, It's a rule of the A.J.C. You mustn't train ponies, for that's very wrong By the rules of the A.J.C. You have to wear winkers when crossing the street, For fear that a pony you'd happen to meet If you hear one about, you must beat a retreat, That's a rule of the A.J.C. And all ye bold owners will find without fail By the rules of the A.J.C. The jockey boys' fees you must pay at the scale, It's a rule of the A.J.C. When your horse wins a fiver, you'll laugh, I'll be bound, But you won't laugh so much by the time that you've found That the fee to the boy is exactly ten pound! That's a rule of the A.J.C. And all ye bold "Books" who are keeping a shop, In the rules of the A.J.C., There's a new regulation that says you must stop! That's a rule of the A.J.C. You must give up your shop with its pipes and cigars To an unlicensed man who is thanking his stars, While you go and bet in the threepenny bars, That's a rule of the A.J.C. And all ye small jockeys who ride in a race, In the rules of the A.J.C. If owners' instructions are "Don't get a place", By the rules of the A.J.C., You must ride the horse out, though, of course, if you do You will get no more mounts, it's starvation to you. But, bless you, you'll always find plenty to chew In the rules of the A.J.C.

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 employs a narrative style with a consistent refrain, creating a clear, rhythmic pattern that builds an engaging storytelling atmosphere. It addresses a spectrum of characters within the horse racing circuit, from trainers to owners, bookmakers, and jockeys, illustrating the strict rules and paradoxical situations they often face. The poem's tone is oozing with satire and irony as it critiques the rules of the A.J.C. (a presumed racing commission), revealing the often harsh and unfair conditions that these characters have to endure.

The use of the phrase "That's a rule of the A.J.C." at the end of every stanza adds a sense of authority and inevitability, emphasizing the power and control of the governing body. The poet uses humor as a literary tool to underscore the absurdity of some rules and their impacts on the various roles within the horse racing industry. Each stanza focusing on a different character within the industry allows for a comprehensive insight into the environment, demonstrating the poet's ability to convey multifaceted societal narratives within a single piece. The poem, while specific in its subject matter, underscores broader themes of authority, unfairness, and the struggles of the underprivileged.

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.