Blithe Was She.

By Robert Burns

Ballad
    Tune - "Andro and his cutty gun." Chorus.         Blithe, blithe and merry was she,             Blithe was she but and ben:         Blithe by the banks of Ern,             And blithe in Glenturit glen. I.         By Auchtertyre grows the aik,             On Yarrow banks the birken shaw;         But Phemie was a bonnier lass             Than braes of Yarrow ever saw. II.         Her looks were like a flow'r in May,             Her smile was like a simmer morn;         She tripped by the banks of Ern,             As light's a bird upon a thorn. III.         Her bonnie face it was as meek             As any lamb upon a lea;         The evening sun was ne'er sae sweet,             As was the blink o' Phemie's ee. IV.         The Highland hills I've wander'd wide,             And o'er the Lowlands I hae been;         But Phemie was the blithest lass             That ever trod the dewy green.                     Blithe, blithe and merry was she,                         Blithe was she but and ben:                     Blithe by the banks of Ern.                         And blithe in Glenturit glen.

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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 lovely paean to the vibrancy of life and the beauty of a woman named Phemie. Themes include nature, admiration, and joy. These are conveyed through the vivid images and comparisons made between Phemie and the surrounding landscape, placing her in harmony with the natural world. The tone is celebratory and affectionate, adding to the overall warmth of the poem.

The structure is composed of four stanzas with a repeated chorus, a common form in traditional ballad poetry. The chorus emphasizes Phemie's blithe spirit, grounding the poem's joyful tone. The poet uses literary devices such as simile, comparing Phemie's smile to a summer morning or her face to a meek lamb, to paint an enchanting portrait. The language is rich with sensory detail, and the repeated references to specific locations help ground the poem in a particular place and time. The poem's strongest asset is its ability to evoke a sense of joyous celebration of life and beauty, making it a delightful reading experience.

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.