A Carol

By Rudyard Kipling

Ballad
Our Lord Who did the Ox command To kneel to Judah's King, He binds His frost upon the land To ripen it for Spring, To ripen it for Spring, good sirs, According to His Word. Which well must be as ye can see, And who shall judge the Lord? When we poor fenmen skate the ice Or shiver on the wold, We hear the cry of a single tree That breaks her heart in the cold, That breaks her heart in the cold, good sirs, And rendeth by the board. Which well must be as ye can see, And who shall judge the Lord? Her wood is crazed and little worth Excepting as to burn, That we may warm and make our mirth Until the Spring return, Until the Spring return, good sirs, When Christians walk abroad; When well must be as ye can see, And who shall judge the Lord? God bless the master of this house, And all who sleep therein! And guard the fens from pirate folk, And keep us all from sin, To walk in honesty, good sirs, Of thought and deed and word! Which shall befriend our latter end.... And who shall judge the Lord?

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem is an evocative exploration of faith, nature, and divine providence. Its theme revolves around the understanding and acceptance of God's sovereignty in the face of hardships and daily life struggles. The repeated refrain, "And who shall judge the Lord?" underscores the poet's assertion that man, despite his trials and tribulations, is in no position to question or judge the Lord's actions.

The poem's tone is reverential, yet there is an underlying sense of the harshness of life, particularly in the description of the fenmen's experience with the cold, and the tree that "breaks her heart in the cold". This imagery, coupled with the repetition of phrases, lends a musical, almost hymn-like quality to the poem. The structure of the poem is traditional, with a consistent rhyming scheme which aids in creating a rhythmic flow.

The poem effectively uses the cycle of seasons as a metaphor for life's hardships and eventual renewal, highlighting the theme of faith in divine wisdom and timing. The literary devices such as alliteration and repetition, coupled with vivid images of the natural world, create a profound and engaging poetic work, that leaves the reader contemplating the relationship between man, nature, and the divine.

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.