Garden And Cradle

By Eugene Field

Ballad
    When our babe he goeth walking in his garden,     Around his tinkling feet the sunbeams play;     The posies they are good to him,     And bow them as they should to him,     As fareth he upon his kingly way;     And birdlings of the wood to him     Make music, gentle music, all the day,     When our babe he goeth walking in his garden.     When our babe he goeth swinging in his cradle,     Then the night it looketh ever sweetly down;     The little stars are kind to him,     The moon she hath a mind to him     And layeth on his head a golden crown;     And singeth then the wind to him     A song, the gentle song of Bethlem-town,     When our babe he goeth swinging in his cradle.

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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 theme of childhood innocence and the reverence it inspires. The speaker describes a baby's interaction with nature and the universe as a kingly procession, imbuing a sense of awe and wonder around the simple acts of walking in a garden and swinging in a cradle. The tone is one of pure admiration and joy, encapsulating the enchanting sense of magic often associated with infancy.

The structure of the poem is marked by repetition, a device that mirrors the rhythmic lullaby-like quality of the verse. Each stanza begins and ends with the child's action, creating a circular pattern that echoes the cyclical nature of a day, from the sunlit garden walks to the moonlit cradle swings. The use of personification is also notable, as it gives life to the sunbeams, posies, birds, stars, moon, and wind, reinforcing the sense of the world interacting benignly with the child. The choice of Bethlem-town (a reference to Bethlehem) as the wind's song lends a spiritual dimension to the poem. In all, this poem presents a tender, reverential view of childhood, framed within the gentle rhythm of the natural world.

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.