The Shut-Eye Train

By Eugene Field

Ballad
    Come, my little one, with me!     There are wondrous sights to see     As the evening shadows fall;     In your pretty cap and gown,     Don't detain     The Shut-Eye train -     "Ting-a-ling!" the bell it goeth,     "Toot-toot!" the whistle bloweth,     And we hear the warning call:     "All aboard for Shut-Eye Town!"     Over hill and over plain     Soon will speed the Shut-Eye train!     Through the blue where bloom the stars     And the Mother Moon looks down     We'll away     To land of Fay -     Oh, the sights that we shall see there!     Come, my little one, with me there -     'T is a goodly train of cars -     All aboard for Shut-Eye Town!     Swifter than a wild bird's flight,     Through the realms of fleecy light     We shall speed and speed away!     Let the Night in envy frown -     What care we     How wroth she be!     To the Balow-land above us,     To the Balow-folk who love us,     Let us hasten while we may -     All aboard for Shut-Eye Town!     Shut-Eye Town is passing fair -     Golden dreams await us there;     We shall dream those dreams, my dear,     Till the Mother Moon goes down -     See unfold     Delights untold!     And in those mysterious places     We shall see beloved faces     And beloved voices hear     In the grace of Shut-Eye Town.     Heavy are your eyes, my sweet,     Weary are your little feet -     Nestle closer up to me     In your pretty cap and gown;     Don't detain     The Shut-Eye train!     "Ting-a-ling!" the bell it goeth,     "Toot-toot!" the whistle bloweth     Oh, the sights that we shall see!     All aboard for Shut-Eye Town!

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

Create Image

Transform this poem into a beautiful shareable image

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 beautifully combines elements of whimsy and fantasy with a warm, soothing tone, crafting an endearing portrayal of the journey from wakefulness to sleep, or as the poet charmingly names it, "Shut-Eye Town". The recurring theme of a train ride to sleep takes the reader on a metaphorical journey, evoking a sense of adventure and anticipation. The consistent refrain "All aboard for Shut-Eye Town!" creates a rhythmic structure, adding to the lullaby-like quality of the piece.

The poet employs a variety of literary devices, including personification, with the "Mother Moon" looking down, and the "Night" expressing envy. This humanizing of celestial bodies adds a magical touch, enhancing the dreamlike atmosphere. The use of onomatopoeic words, such as "Ting-a-ling" and "Toot-toot", contribute to the vivid auditory imagery, making the poem more engaging and immersive. The language is simple yet rich, full of sensory details and expressive phrases that promise a world of "Golden dreams" and "Delights untold". The poem ends as it begins, bringing the narrative full circle and underlining the cyclical nature of day and night, wakefulness and sleep. Overall, this poem offers a delightful and comforting exploration of the multifaceted beauty of dreams and the imagined journey that leads us there.

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.