The Bottle Tree

Author: Eugene Field

    A bottle tree bloometh in Winkyway land -
    Heigh-ho for a bottle, I say!
    A snug little berth in that ship I demand
    That rocketh the Bottle-Tree babies away
    Where the Bottle Tree bloometh by night and by day
    And reacheth its fruit to each wee, dimpled hand;
    You take of that fruit as much as you list,
    For colic's a nuisance that doesn't exist!
    So cuddle me and cuddle me fast,
    And cuddle me snug in my cradle away,
    For I hunger and thirst for that precious repast -
    Heigh-ho for a bottle, I say!

    The Bottle Tree bloometh by night and by day!
    Heigh-ho for Winkyway land!
    And Bottle-Tree fruit (as I've heard people say)
    Makes bellies of Bottle-Tree babies expand -
    And that is a trick I would fain understand!
    Heigh-ho for a bottle to-day!
    And heigh-ho for a bottle to-night -
    A bottle of milk that is creamy and white!
    So cuddle me close, and cuddle me fast,
    And cuddle me snug in my cradle away,
    For I hunger and thirst for that precious repast -
    Heigh-ho for a bottle, I say!
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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 is a delightful exploration of a whimsical, childhood realm known as Winkyway land, where bottle trees bloom and babies are cradled in its branches. The language used is playful and rhythmic, making the poem feel like a nursery rhyme or a lullaby. The repetition of the phrase "Heigh-ho for a bottle, I say!" underscores this playful tone and injects a buoyant energy into the verses. The poem's structure, with its repeated lines and rhyming scheme, lends a musical quality to the piece, reinforcing its lullaby-like qualities.

The poem's key themes center around comfort, innocence, and the simple pleasures of childhood. The bottle tree symbolizes nourishment and satisfaction—its magical fruit eliminates colic, a common discomfort for infants, and seems to satiate all hunger and thirst. The constant request for cuddles also speaks to a universal human need for warmth and security. The imagery is vivid, inviting readers to imagine a world where bottle trees bloom day and night and offer an abundance of milk "that is creamy and white." All these elements combine to create a sense of a fantastical, comforting world where all needs are met, a world that is, in essence, a child's paradise.

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.