A Christmas Carol

Author: Gilbert Keith Chesterton

    The Christ-child lay on Mary's lap,
    His hair was like a light.
    (O weary, weary were the world,
    But here is all aright.)

    The Christ-child lay on Mary's breast,
    His hair was like a star.
    (O stern and cunning are the kings,
    But here the true hearts are.)

    The Christ-child lay on Mary's heart,
    His hair was like a fire.
    (O weary, weary is the world,
    But here the world's desire.)

    The Christ-child stood at Mary's knee,
    His hair was like a crown,
    And all the flowers looked up at him.
    And all the stars looked down.
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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 employs a religious theme, focusing on the Christ-child and Holy Mother Mary, with a strong tone of tranquility and reverence. It is structured in four quatrains, each containing two rhymed couplets, a form that lends a rhythmic consistency and a sense of unity to the poem.

The repeated image of the Christ-child in various positions on Mary's person underscores the intimacy and sanctity of their relationship, and the changing descriptions of his hair from "light," to "star," to "fire," and finally to "crown" (all images of brightness, beauty, and royalty) effectively symbolize the unfolding of Christ's divine nature.

The parenthetical remarks offer a stark contrast to the peaceful image of the holy mother and child, hinting at a weary and cunning world outside their sacred space. This contrast serves to highlight the pure, restful, and desirable state of the Christ-child and Mary, showing them as a refuge from worldly troubles.

In the last stanza, the Christ-child is depicted standing at Mary's knee, indicating growth and progression. The flowers and stars looking up and down at him respectively suggest a universal acknowledgment of his divinity, illustrating the poem's theme of the sacred amidst the profane.

The poem, therefore, is a beautifully crafted depiction of the Christ-child's divine nature and the solace he and Mary offer in a weary 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.