The Plains

By Banjo Paterson (Andrew Barton)

Ballad
A land, as far as the eye can see, where the waving grasses grow Or the plains are blackened and burnt and bare, where the false mirages go Like shifting symbols of hope deferred, land where you never know. Land of the plenty or land of want, where the grey Companions dance, Feast or famine, or hope or fear, and in all things land of chance, Where Nature pampers or Nature slays, in her ruthless, red, romance. And we catch a sound of a fairy's song, as the wind goes whipping by, Or a scent like incense drifts along from the herbage ripe and dry Or the dust storms dance on their ballroom floor, where the bones of the cattle lie.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This piece offers a powerful exploration of the paradoxes inherent in nature and life, embodying a strong sense of both awe and fear. The imagery of the vast, unpredictable land, represented alternately by waving grasses and blackened, barren plains, evokes stark contrasts between abundance and scarcity, hope and despair. These juxtapositions reflect the unpredictable nature of human existence, highlighting the delicate balance between feast and famine, prosperity and poverty.

The poem's tone is deeply contemplative, tinged with both wonder and melancholy. Using the metaphor of the land as a capricious, yet intoxicating, dance partner, the poet illustrates the compelling allure and ruthless cruelty of nature. This is further emphasized by the vivid sensory descriptions - the "fairy's song," the "scent like incense," the dust storms dancing - which serve to draw the reader into this unpredictable dance with nature. The structure of the poem, with its regular rhythm and rhyme scheme, counterpoints this sense of unpredictability, creating a sense of tension that mirrors the contrasting themes presented within the poem. The use of alliteration, such as "ruthless, red, romance," and the poignant image of the cattle bones on the "ballroom floor," amplify this tension, evoking a sense of the harsh realities that often lie beneath romanticized notions of nature and existence.

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.