Young Jockey.

By Robert Burns

Ballad
    Tune - "Young Jockey." I.         Young Jockey was the blythest lad             In a' our town or here awa:         Fu' blythe he whistled at the gaud,             Fu' lightly danced he in the ha'.         He roosed my een, sae bonnie blue,             He roos'd my waist sae genty sma',         And ay my heart came to my mou'             When ne'er a body heard or saw. II.         My Jockey toils upon the plain,             Thro' wind and weet, thro' frost and snaw;         And o'er the lea I leuk fu' fain,             When Jockey's owsen hameward ca'.         An' ay the night comes round again,             When in his arms he takes me a',         An' ay he vows he'll be my ain,             As lang's he has a breath to draw.

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

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 enthusiastically explores themes of love, youth, and rural life. The young Jockey, who is the central character, is portrayed as a figure of joy and vitality, bringing life to every space he occupies, from the fields where he works to the dance hall. The poet's use of dialect and colloquial language not only enhances the authenticity of the characters but also grounds the poem in a specific place and culture, likely rural Scotland.

The repeated use of the word "ay" (always) in the second part of the poem accentuates the constancy of the love and admiration the speaker has for Jockey. Despite the hardships of the rural life described - wind, wet, frost, and snow - there is a romanticism that pervades, particularly in the depiction of the nighttime where they find comfort in each other's arms. The poem's structure, featuring two parts and a simple AABBCCDD rhyme scheme for each, is straightforward but effective, reinforcing the poem's overall tone of sincere and unassuming love.

The poem isn't heavy on metaphor or other complex literary devices, instead, it relies on the charm and appeal of the characters and their way of life to evoke emotion. This straightforwardness, along with the use of repetition and rhythm, gives the poem a song-like quality, further enhancing its overall light-hearted and joyful tone.

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.